About Us

LEON UPTEGROVE

CrossFit experience: 10 years both as an athlete and coach 

Certifications: CrossFit Level 2, CrossFit Olympic Lifting, CrossFit Gymnastics, CrossFit Kids, CrossFit Scaling Course

Overall goal as a coach: With 10 years experience coaching under my belt I really just want to push people to a level they didn’t know they had in them. I want to help them find the athlete inside themselves and to stay feeling young and healthy as long as possible.

Interests and Hobbies (outside of CrossFit): Food and Cooking, Spending time with my Family and Friends, Carpentry, Guns, Motorcycles and Coffee

Kristen Bernockie MSN, MHA FNP-C

Primary Care Provider – Functional Medicine – Holistic Nutritionist – CrossFit L1 Trainer 

Kristen’s focus is overall functional health, and wellness. Kristen not only has over 20 years in Medicine, she is also part owner of our gym where she coaches clients in proper physical health. Kristen is a part time PCP who’s interest focuses on Hormonal Health, including Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Men/Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women, Thyroid Optimization, Nutritional Counseling, as well as Medical Marijuana Certification.  Kristen’s main goal is to help people find Balance with their inner and outer Health & Beauty. 

CrossFit experience: 8 years as an athlete, 3 years Regionals Medic. 2 Years L1 Coach

Certifications: Master’s Degree prepared Family Nurse Practitioner  & Registered Nurse of 21 years, currently a Primary Care Provider. When I’m not helping my patients, I’m helping my athletes to stay healthy and well through education on the importance of both quality and quantity (depending on their goals).  In addition I am an Holistic Nutritionist, as food as health and medicine is my passion.

Overall goal as a coach: My main focus is always health and wellness.  I believe that Nutrition, Proper Sleep and Low Stress are the keys to supreme health and where Athletes should focus. I want to help them fueled not only their training, but also their lifestyle.  I also enjoy watching people find that moment in the gym when the lightbulb comes on and the movements start to make sense.

Interests and Hobbies: Spending time with my Kids and Leon (outside the gym), Food, Playing with the dogs, Meditating, and watching The Big Bang Theory on loop while folding laundry.

 MAIREAD Fogarty

Mairead holds a bachelor’s degree in health education and is passionate about helping people empower their minds and bodies through their fitness journey. Having completed her CF-L1 Certification, CF- L2 Certification, and CF Spot the Flaw certification, Mairead believes in the power of functional movement and CrossFit allows just that teaching our athletes how to move their bodies in ways that benefit their day-to-day life. Mairead believes fitness is not just about the experience in the body, but in the mind and spirit as well. Physical movement is a tool to tune in to ourselves, while in a community setting such as a CrossFit class allows us to also connect with others for a common purpose: developing the best versions of ourselves. Fitness allows individuals to work through their personal challenges not only physically, but emotionally and mentally. Doing this work in a community setting such as Lumberjack Athletics enables athletes to not only work on themselves but lift those around them up as well. Mairead seeks to encourage our athletes to live fully in and outside the gym by living a balanced lifestyle through nutrition, time with loved ones, and experiencing the world around them.

BRANDON SMITH

Certifications: CF L-2, CF L-1, CF Scaling,  CF Lesson Planning,  CF Programming, A.S Human Services

I found Crossfit back in January of 2014 with the goal of finding a fitness program post-High School Sports.  My sports background is in amateur boxing, volleyball, track & cross country.  After high school, I became very lost & my lack of nutrition education caught up to me really quickly. I gained a lot of weight & at one point sat around at 215lb. Two years into my Crossfit journey around 2016, I decided to take my health seriously & sought the change that needed to be made because I was tired of being okay with who I became. Through very hard work, I lost 50lb & then began my journey to put the weight back on in lean muscle.

Crossfit has truly changed my life for the better & I wouldn’t be the man I am today without it. I also believe that the pursuit & execution of a healthier lifestyle will add years to your life while also minimizing or even eliminating the need for medication to survive. Lumberjack Athletics is my home & I am determined to provide nothing but excellence to those who step through these doors.

AMITY GRIBBLE

Certifications Cross Fit Level 1 (CF-L1, CrossFit Level 2 (CF-L2), CrossFit Gymnastics,  Attended American Muscle Weightlifting Seminar

I was introduced to CrossFit back in 2012 and immediately enjoyed the diversity, coupled with, building and developing new skill sets. In addition, CrossFit provided the competitive fuel I hadn’t experienced with school sports- I am one of the few that does not have an extensive background in school sports. I don’t shy away from the fact that I could barely do a pushup before I started CrossFit! In 2014, I earned my CrossFit Level 1 (CF-L1) simply to learn foundational techniques and educate myself on CrossFit movements a little more in depth- not intending to coach. Shortly thereafter, I went on to earn my CrossFit Gymnastics Course Certification. Again, just to educate myself more on gymnastic movements, gain more knowledge to help me move better and understand more of the why. Never say never in life, because once Lumberjack Athletics came about in 2019, so did the desire to share what I have learned with our community. I appreciate and see long term value to our approach of fitness- general day to day fitness and competitive fitness. We are a CrossFit gym but our essence is improving longevity and quality of life through movement of many kinds, nutrition and wellness. It is amazing to see what people can accomplish with safe, consistent physical training coupled with balanced nutrition and an awesome attitude!

At Lumberjack you can expect to be greeted by name, given every opportunity to learn, and the freedom to grow as an athlete. From more advanced athlete to beginner athlete, we will help scale workouts to your level and provide you with guidance every step of the way. We will never push you beyond your limits, but we will ensure that you leave Lumberjack stronger than yesterday.

Outside of the gym, I love spending time with my family and dogs along with staying active outdoors- running, biking, hiking, and traveling. And, let’s not forget eating and trying new things.

CORONA THOMPSON

Barbacide certified,

Writer for Blessings magazine 

Joined CrossFit to lose weight.  Gained so much more.  A family of amazing people.  I learned so much from each trainer and the best nutritionist (Kristen).  CrossFit has given me freedom to control my health. In 2020 I got my L-1 and started training under my amazing dad (Leon). Now with my own class I’m still learning every day from all the amazing coaches and athletes in this family I adore. 

I have lost 100lbs since my first day in lumberjack athletics !!! 

REBECCA LIQUARI

Certifications: Crossfit CF-L1 (May 2019), Precision Nutrition PN-1 (in progress), Certified Spin Instructor (Mad Dogg)

I began my fitness journey in 2009, taking up running I soon became a marathoner and triathlete.  I continued running and added bootcamp and spinning to my fitness regime.  In 2010 I became a certified Spin Instructor. I continually read and educated myself on fitness and running.  While reading a running magazine I came across and article on the benefits of Crossfit.  I took my first Crossfit class in January 2012 and have never looked back!  After years of Crossfit, I decided I really wanted to focus on strength and this led to my greatest passion yet in fitness, Strongman.  Shortly after this discovery I became a competitive master’s athlete in the Strongman Community winning both National and World level titles.  I have a Bachelor’s Degree from Kean University (2001) in Biology.  I have worked in the pharmaceutical industry for the past 20 years and continue to enjoy my daily interactions with Health Care Professionals.  Most importantly I am a wife and mom of 3 active boys!