DEREK FAY
Owner/Head Coach
I was a baseball player from about the age of 7 and played almost throughout the end of high school. From there I got into lifting weights and jumped into the monotonous routine of weights and cardio at globo gym for the next few years until I discovered powerlifting. I had no experience or coaching, my lifting form was shit and I knew it, but I piled on the weights anyways with no regard for my body. My training was abruptly halted when I was diagnosed with herniated disc’s in my back which was remedied with just shy of two years of physical therapy under the care of Angelo S. Urquico, DPT, OCS. Upon release my good friend had just finished BUDS and recommended I try CrossFit so I tested the waters and eased my way into it. I liked it so much that I ended up interning at CrossFit in order to work out for free. I attended my first level 1 in 2008, interned at University California Riverside under head strength and conditioning coach Josh Everett from May 2009-December 2009. I currently hold the following certifications:
- CF Level 1
- CF Olympic Weightlifting
- CF Powerlifting
- CF Movement and Mobility
- CF Gymnastics
- CF Kettlebell
- CF Endurance
- CF Goal Setting
- USAW Sports Performance
The doctors told me I would never lift weights again and to take up swimming or cycling. I currently squat and dead lift over 500lbs and clean and jerk over 300lbs. I am living proof that you can do anything if you’re patient and disciplined. Never give up.
AMANDA BURLEIGH
Owner/Assistant Coach
I love the outdoors!!! My family introduced me at a very young age to camping, water skiing, dirt bike riding and snowboarding. While growing up with this kind of background I learned to never give up and to constantly improve myself. My brother, a marine veteran, was persistent with me to keep in shape and to always question if you are at your best. Not only for myself, but for the good of the family. I have taken this knowledge and put it towards not only being physically in shape but also towards becoming educated.
I received my Bachelor’s degree from University of California Irvine with a major in Biological Sciences. Biology has always been an interest of mine and was never considered work. While becoming educated I needed that fitness part and continued dancing for UCI in Tap, Ballet and Jazz. I have been dancing since I was three years old, and ever since, have continued to focus on fitness, including dance, gymnastics, golf and track and field. I also taught and choreographed dance in high school and college.
During college I also went to school to become an Emergency Medical Technician and was hired at CARE Ambulance. Working alongside Anaheim, Garden Grove and Fullerton Fire and Police as an EMT had been an eye opener for me. I learned at a young age to never take life for granted. Also, please wave to your community fire and police. Let them know you appreciate them.
- I currently hold my CF Level 1 and CF Movement and Mobility certifications.
BLAKE WHITCOMB
Coach
I began participating in athletics at the age of five, being involved in every sport from martial arts, to lacrosse. My interest in specialized training began in high school where I received extensive weight, speed and agility training in pursuit of becoming a collegiate level lacrosse and football athlete. After being recruited to several division 1 football schools I decided to pursue Lacrosse. Following graduation I attended Chapman University where I was a four year starter and two-time captain of the lacrosse team. During those four years I achieved All-League, All-Conference, and All American honors. I graduated in spring of 2010 and received my BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing.
After I graduated from Chapman University, I began exploring the possibility of turning my lifelong passion for sports and fitness into a career. I began coaching lacrosse at Huntington Beach High School in the winter of 2010. In an effort to further develop my skill set, I became a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. I started individual training of lacrosse athletes, developing their athleticism and skill sets. I am currently am pursuing my Masters of Science in Kinesiology at Cal State Fullerton University. While taking classes at CSU Fullerton I was given the opportunity to be and intern at Crossfit Riot. While here I was able to gain countless hours of invaluable coaching experience. I have gained a strong passion for weightlifting and improving athletic performance. I truly enjoy Crossfit because it is another avenue that allows me to push myself mentally and physically, while helping people pursue their health and fitness goals.
- CrossFit Level 1
ANDREW KONG
Coach/Ninja
Born on July 19, 1989 Andrew grew up in La Habra, CA. He has always been involved in competitive sports including basketball, water polo, swimming and recreational sports such as mountain biking, snowboarding, and bodyboarding. Through his athletic career, he has been confined to basic strength training with little to no functionality to the real world/athletics until college where he was introduced to Crossfit by his brother late 2010. Soon after the introduction to Crossfit, Andrew broke his femur in half in a snowboard accident preventing him from doing any or limited physical activity for the next 6-7 months. Once cleared to resume physical activity, he turned to Crossfit in July 2011 for rehabilitation and within 4-5 months he was more than 100% and feeling stronger, faster, and healthier than ever before.
In October 2011 he began coaching at Orange Coast Crossfit. Andrew has always had a passion for coaching, starting off as a swim instructor at the Jewish Community Center of Irvine, as well as a competitive drive, competing in the 2012 Crossfit Games SoCal Regionals Team, Beach Cities Battle, NLI, Tri-County Shakedown, and the 2011 & 2012 WOD Gear Team Series. He enjoys connecting with people and seeing the achievements they make through hard work and determination. He firmly believes that through crossfit you can transform mentally as well as physically beyond ones imagination as long as you are willing.
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, or knowledge, but rather in a lack of will.” – Vince Lombardi.
B.A. in Sociology at the University of California, Irvine, In progress
Crossfit Level 1 Certified
Crossfit Mobility Certified
CPR/AED/Lifeguarding/First aid Certified
MICHELLE MASCOTO
Coach
Every day I wake up hoping that I can help someone get a step closer to reaching their potential, finding themselves or simply pushing them to be stronger, gaining confidence and self worth. The best way in my eyes to do that is through fitness. Fitness is not only lifting a barbell or running the fastest it’s a lifestyle, it becomes an identity. It teaches you to become mentally and physically stronger. Teaches patience and perseverance. It is about mastering your own life.
I began playing basketball at the age of 13 and quickly fell in love with the game. I never realized at such a young age, basketball would become my life and get me through college and into the professionals.
During my college years is when basketball collided with sports performance training. That is when I knew my calling. I am absolutely fascinated with the human body along with the power of the mind combined with the effects that strength and conditioninging can do with it. I graduated from Whittier College in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. Due to my competition drive, I played in Europe off and on until December 2011. I hung up my shoes due to a knee injury. During my “off” time I continued to grow in the fitness industry. I used my time working with competitive athletes as well as athletic teams, along with the eager individuals who wanted to live a stronger healthier life.
I was drawn to the CrossFit community because I could see how CrossFit benefits every single person it comes in contact with. It’s amazing how many lives CrossFit has impacted in such a positive way. Not only does CrossFit push beyond limits but also brings a huge sense of community and support system, not only within your box but boxes from all over the world!
“Eat clean, train hard, stay humble.”
JUSTIN MILLER
Nutritionist
I use to compete in Crossfit and understand the demands it places on your body. Through proper nutrition and recovery you can not only improve performance in this sport through strength gains, skill improvement, and metabolic conditioning but also experience dramatic changes in your body composition via lean msucle gains and fat loss.
There is no such thing as a one size fits all approach to achieving your health and well-being goals. Truth is their are an infinite amount of ways you can appraoch diet and exercise to accomplish them. However, our bodies are unique. Not one of us is similar and our each of us responds to exercise and food differently. I take a hollistic approach to health that focuses on using the Paleo diet or Ancestral eating as a template to discover what foods and nutrients your body responds to best.
An emphasis is placed on establishing the behaviors that lead to the development of healthy habits that not only work in the short-term but allow for a comfortable and smooth transition into a a new and improved lifestyle filled with more energy, strength, stamina, and mood that lasts a life-time.
Re-invent yourself from the inside out. Wether you are looking for fat loss, sport performance, correcting digestive issues, managing diabetes and regulating insulin, or are just looking to understand proper nutrition that can work for you I am able to customize an approach that is suited to your lifestyle demands. All clients receive unliimited email and phone access to me. Please feel free to contact me at anytime regarding questions, comments, or dietary concerns. All Crossfit Riot members receieve a special coaching rate.
- NSCA strength coach
- Charles Poliquin PICP coach
- Precision Nutrition, PN1 nutritionist
- University of San Francisco, M.S
You can contact Justin at justin06@email.com
A few free resources:
What the EFF is Gluten?
Stress, Adrenals, Cortisol & why there’s junk in your trunk
Blood sugar, insulin, and diabesity
30 truths in 30 days: The first 30 days of Paleo and what to expect
10 road blocks to badass nutrition and how to overcome them
You’re not a dog so why act like one? Food as a reward?
