YOUR COACHES
Helping you achieve your goals.
We're here for you
THE 1827 TEAM
As your coaches, we are here to guide you every step of the way – all while being energetic and thoughtful in our approach. We look to develop your trust through adapting how we teach to meet your needs and ensuring you feel welcomed, safe and motivated throughout a class. We can’t wait to meet you!
Curtis Rattray
[He/Him]
After years of minimal results and growing frustration with traditional training methodologies, I was introduced to CrossFit by my brother who had had almost immediate success with advancing his athletic career by switching to CrossFit. Even after an extremely humbling beginning, I knew I had found something truly transformative and the challenge I had been looking for. After over 10 years of coaching football, CrossFit presented a new avenue to help others and I was immediately motivated to pursue my Level 1. Since then my passion for it has only grown, and has taken me places I never imagined. Having coached internationally, what always impresses me is the tangible sense of community you feel every time you step foot inside a CrossFit gym.
- CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
- Aerobic Capacity Certificate
- Gymnastics Certificate
- Judges Course
- Mobility Certificate
- Running Certificate
- Scaling Certificate
- Weightlifting Certificate
- Freestyle Movement with Carl Paoli
What Curtis Loves About Coaching:
Being able to be a part of providing a welcoming, safe, and fun environment every day is something I take great pride in.
Favourite WOD: Hulk Hogan or Horton
Least Favourite WOD: Karen
Favourite Treats:
All of them. Seriously. It’s a problem.
Greg Cox
[He/Him]
I have played all sports, competitive hockey and fell in love with CrossFit from the beginning. I enjoy the mental challenges as much as the physical.
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
- First Aid/CPR Certified
What Greg loves about coaching:
Seeing people come in to a class stressed from work or life and leaving having accomplished a tough workout, hung out with friends or just enjoyed an hour “offline”.
Favourite WOD/Movement: Squats and cleans.
Least Favourite WOD/Movement: I’m built for rowing but hate it.
Favourite Treats: Fudge.
Carly Burt
[She/Her]
I’ve always been tied up in athletics, from years of competitive soccer to amateur boxing to everything in between; I’ve always needed an outlet. After “retiring” from boxing, I was working with a personal trainer who began introducing me to different CrossFit elements. My friend + coworker then brought me to a “Wine + WOD” event at a CrossFit gym, and that was kind of it. I was hooked. I started transitioning out of working with my personal trainer, and the little bit of boxing I continued to do, and jumped into CrossFit “full time.” It was definitely how humbling CrossFit was that drew me in, and the continuous challenge of the sport/movements since. There’s nothing like it.
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
- First Aid/CPR Certified
What Carly Loves About Coaching:
I’ve always had aspirations to be a coach, whether that was in Soccer or Boxing. So, when this opportunity presented itself, I jumped at it. I’ll argue that there isn’t a more fulfilling ‘job’ than coaching; developing relationships, having people trust in you, your insight and your abilities, and watching people progress from one day to the next. It’s easy to preach the positive outcomes of CrossFit and its functionality for overall wellbeing and longevity, especially when I’ve witnessed them first hand. Seeing someone achieve something they otherwise thought they couldn’t is pretty incredible.
I also enjoy the challenge and the adaptability that CrossFit coaching demands, knowing that every. single. class. is going to bring something new to the table. And I’m inspired every day by the community at 1827; the energy, the positivity and connecting with people on a meaningful level.
Favourite WOD: I’m a big fan of gymnastics or anything with barbell cycling.
Least Favourite WOD: I will say ‘snatches’, because they are THE most humbling/complex movement to me. But, I’m also not the biggest fan of dumbbell workouts or rowing. There’s not much I don’t “enjoy” though, I like working on weaknesses.
Favourite Treats:
Sign me up for cookies – salted caramel brownie from the Breadbar – or some good ol’ fashion nachooooooos.
Carly Burt
[She/Her]
I’ve always been tied up in athletics, from years of competitive soccer to amateur boxing to everything in between; I’ve always needed an outlet. After “retiring” from boxing, I was working with a personal trainer who began introducing me to different CrossFit elements. My friend + coworker then brought me to a “Wine + WOD” event at a CrossFit gym, and that was kind of it. I was hooked. I started transitioning out of working with my personal trainer, and the little bit of boxing I continued to do, and jumped into CrossFit “full time.” It was definitely how humbling CrossFit was that drew me in, and the continuous challenge of the sport/movements since. There’s nothing like it.
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
- First Aid/CPR Certified
What Carly Loves About Coaching:
I’ve always had aspirations to be a coach, whether that was in Soccer or Boxing. So, when this opportunity presented itself, I jumped at it. I’ll argue that there isn’t a more fulfilling ‘job’ than coaching; developing relationships, having people trust in you, your insight and your abilities, and watching people progress from one day to the next. It’s easy to preach the positive outcomes of CrossFit and its functionality for overall wellbeing and longevity, especially when I’ve witnessed them first hand. Seeing someone achieve something they otherwise thought they couldn’t is pretty incredible.
I also enjoy the challenge and the adaptability that CrossFit coaching demands, knowing that every. single. class. is going to bring something new to the table. And I’m inspired every day by the community at 1827; the energy, the positivity and connecting with people on a meaningful level.
Favourite WOD: I’m a big fan of gymnastics or anything with barbell cycling.
Least Favourite WOD: I will say ‘snatches’, because they are THE most humbling/complex movement to me. But, I’m also not the biggest fan of dumbbell workouts or rowing. There’s not much I don’t “enjoy” though, I like working on weaknesses.
Favourite Treats:
Sign me up for cookies – salted caramel brownie from the Breadbar – or some good ol’ fashion nachooooooos.
Stef Atkinson
[She/Her]
I spent fifteen years dancing while growing up, and started dancing competitively at a fairly young age. I dipped my toe in competitive body building during the later years of my university degree, experimented with powerlifting, and settled into a passion for Olympic weightlifting in 2017. Weightlifting satisfied my desire for discipline, attention to detail, and love for being strong. In the fall of 2019, I was invited to partake in the Intramural CrossFit Open at 1827. I agreed with minimal resistance even though I had no real concept of what I was signing up for. Almost instantly my competitive nature set in and I became hooked on everything CrossFit. I love the endless source of movements to work on, and the mental toughness required to grit through a workout. CrossFit keeps me in touch with my love for Weightlifting, but challenges me (and rewards me) in so many ways. It’s certainly not easy, but I love the work.
- CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
- Precision Nutrition Level 1
- Precision Nutrition L1, Certificate in Exercise Nutrition
- NCCP Weightlifting Competition Coach, Trained
- First Aid/CPR Certified
- Klokov Weightlifting Seminar
What Stef Loves About Coaching:
Being part of the process. It is so fulfilling to see an athlete “get it”. I really love coaching athletes who are willing to do the work and who understand that success and progress don’t come easily. I’m also very intrigued by the difference in people’s sports mentality and how they approach work in the gym.
Favourite WOD: I love dballs, hspus, power cleans, pistols, and burpee box jump overs. I like wods that you have to grind, and control your pace so you can win in the back half when others have gone out too hot.
Least Favourite WOD: Pull ups of all varieties… least favourite WOD is probably Cindy.
Favourite Treats:
Cookies or ice cream with chocolate chips, peanut butter, and sprinkles
Dr. Ryan Vadori
[He/Him]
I grew up playing a lot of team sports (baseball, hockey, basketball), but stopped in high school. Several years of low activity left me with mild chronic pain in my low back, neck, and shoulders by my mid-twenties. Around that time, my wife started CrossFit, and suggested that I try. CrossFit helped me find better movement patterns, increase my mobility, get stronger, and resolve the chronic pain. After experiencing those results, I was hooked, and haven’t really looked back.
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
- First Aid/CPR Certified
What Ryan Loves About Coaching:
I love helping people achieve their goals, get fit and improve their lives!
Favourite WOD: Anything short, fast and heavy!
Least Favourite WOD: Anything with running.
Favourite Treats:
Mrs. Vickies Sea Salt and Malt Vinegar Chips
Stef Atkinson
[She/Her]
I spent fifteen years dancing while growing up, and started dancing competitively at a fairly young age. I dipped my toe in competitive body building during the later years of my university degree, experimented with powerlifting, and settled into a passion for Olympic weightlifting in 2017. Weightlifting satisfied my desire for discipline, attention to detail, and love for being strong. In the fall of 2019, I was invited to partake in the Intramural CrossFit Open at 1827. I agreed with minimal resistance even though I had no real concept of what I was signing up for. Almost instantly my competitive nature set in and I became hooked on everything CrossFit. I love the endless source of movements to work on, and the mental toughness required to grit through a workout. CrossFit keeps me in touch with my love for Weightlifting, but challenges me (and rewards me) in so many ways. It’s certainly not easy, but I love the work.
- CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
- Precision Nutrition Level 1
- Precision Nutrition L1, Certificate in Exercise Nutrition
- NCCP Weightlifting Competition Coach, Trained
- First Aid/CPR Certified
- Klokov Weightlifting Seminar
What Stef Loves About Coaching:
Being part of the process. It is so fulfilling to see an athlete “get it”. I really love coaching athletes who are willing to do the work and who understand that success and progress don’t come easily. I’m also very intrigued by the difference in people’s sports mentality and how they approach work in the gym.
Favourite WOD: I love dballs, hspus, power cleans, pistols, and burpee box jump overs. I like wods that you have to grind, and control your pace so you can win in the back half when others have gone out too hot.
Least Favourite WOD: Pull ups of all varieties… least favourite WOD is probably Cindy.
Favourite Treats:
Cookies or ice cream with chocolate chips, peanut butter, and sprinkles
Julia Kaczmarek
[She/Her]
I was always involved in competitive sports growing up from cheerleading to rugby. When I went to university in 2016, I needed something else to get that competitive juice flowing again and that’s when I found CrossFit. I’ve since committed myself to being competitive in the sport of CrossFit, but the number one thing that continues to draw me to the gym everyday is the community that it has created. If I’m not in the gym training, I’m studying in school finishing my undergrad, or coaching youth athletes!
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
- Hypopressives Level 1
- CanFit Pro
What Julia Loves About Coaching:
Encouraging and being an outlet for people to tap into that drive and passion to be better. I love being part of a community that enjoys every little success.
Favourite WOD: Give me a heavy barbell to cycle, or lots of GHDSU!
Least Favourite WOD: Running
Favourite Treats: Ice Cream and essentially anything with peanut butter in it.
Julia Kaczmarek
[She/Her]
I was always involved in competitive sports growing up from cheerleading to rugby. When I went to university in 2016, I needed something else to get that competitive juice flowing again and that’s when I found CrossFit. I’ve since committed myself to being competitive in the sport of CrossFit, but the number one thing that continues to draw me to the gym everyday is the community that it has created. If I’m not in the gym training, I’m studying in school finishing my undergrad, or coaching youth athletes!
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
- Hypopressives Level 1
- CanFit Pro
What Julia Loves About Coaching:
Encouraging and being an outlet for people to tap into that drive and passion to be better. I love being part of a community that enjoys every little success.
Favourite WOD: Give me a heavy barbell to cycle, or lots of GHDSU!
Least Favourite WOD: Running
Favourite Treats: Ice Cream and essentially anything with peanut butter in it.
Stephen Borghese
[He/Him]
Like most of us, I was never an exceptional athlete – painfully average some might say. Mediocrity in youth sports continued into “remaining active as an adult” through recreational sports, running, lifting weights, and DVD workouts. I tried Crossfit to ‘shake things up’ and – following a seriously humbling WOD – have experienced continued measurable improvement in my overall fitness ever since. My enjoyment for Crossfit has grown over the years and has morphed from purely personal improvement to genuine interest and passion in seeing growth in the abilities of all members at the gym.
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
- First Aid/CPR certified – lots of practical experience (as well as annual re-certification)
What Alex Loves About Coaching:
I love watching people become more aware of their bodies’ potential, exploring their physical abilities, and then in a relatively short time, far exceeding their formerly perceived limits.
Favourite WOD: Amanda
Least Favourite WOD: Fran
Favourite Treats: Salty/Savoury anything…followed by doughnuts.
Alex Jafs
[He/Him]
I’ve been involved in sports for as long as I can remember and having an older brother only drove my competitive nature. In high school, I began playing football and fell in love with the sport. One of the high school football coaches introduced me to strength training at a CrossFit gym where I unknowingly began CrossFit. I went on to play football at the University of Guelph for 5 years where I studied Human Kinetics because I wanted to learn everything about how and why our bodies work. In my senior years playing football ,I had the ability to train elsewhere due to COVID lockdowns. I was re-introduced to CrossFit and never looked back.
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
- BSc. Human Kinetics
What Alex Loves About Coaching:
I love working with people to help achieve their personal goals. A huge passion of mine involves helping other people learn how and why their body moves the way it does. Helping others move pain-free and hearing stories about how the gym is translating to other areas of peoples’ lives is incredibly rewarding.
Favourite WOD: Isabel, or anything where you get to sprint your heart out. What’s Pacing?
Least Favourite WOD: Lyla
Favourite Treats: Sour Gummy Worms
Define your goals. Believe in your goals. Achieve your goals.
