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Ben Buchanan was born in Michigan and grew up in Central Florida after his family moved to Tavares, FL. As a kid, he was always active and played basketball, football, and ran track. He attended the University of Michigan where he met his wife, Annelise. They moved to Melbourne over 20 years ago and have 4 wonderful kids. Ben is an Independent Financial Advisor and has his own local business!

Fitness has always been a priority for Ben who enjoys lifting weights, running, and yoga. He has run many local roads and trail races and completed a handful of marathons. He has been a part of the Brevard Old Red Eye Rugby Club since 2001. In addition to playing for the Red Eyes, he was part of the Florida Select Side and represented the USA South Panthers territorial team for four years. Never one to retire, he occasionally makes an appearance on the “pitch”.

In 2015, as his rugby career was winding down, Ben began competing in Scottish Highland Athletics and often travels to festivals around Florida to compete. The competitions are made up of 7-9 events that consist of throwing weights/objects for height or distance. His favorite event is the caber toss, where a large telephone-like pole is flipped. In 2019, while on vacation in Scotland, Ben had the honor of competing at the Gourock Highland Games.

He started practicing yoga as a way to improve flexibility and round out his existing fitness routine. With yoga, Ben found a way to challenge himself physically while also learning to relax his mind. He completed the 200 hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Training in 2020. Since then, he has been teaching Yoga and Endurance Conditioning classes at the Yogi Perogi. Calisthenics and bodyweight training is something he loves and in 2019, he completed the Progressive Calisthenics Certification instructor course in New York City with the Kavadlo brothers. Ben is also a level 200 certified rugby coach.

Ben recently started pursuing another passion; acting. Since starting in 2021, he has appeared in several commercials and independent films. Ben looks forward to helping people at Space Coast Fitness & OCR have fun while they reach their fitness goals!

Hello! My name is Tracy Crockett. I live here in Melbourne, Florida with my hubby, husky and two boys who are very active in Travel Baseball, Littte League and Flag Football. I grew up in the midwest and was very active in sports as well. I enjoyed Volleyball,  Basketball, Track and Cheerleading. I have always loved hiking, biking, rafting…anything outdoors!

As a young adult I focused on my career, traveling and just living life! Once we decided to start a family I knew I wanted to be the best mom I could be. I decided to start my own fitness journey after I had my first son. Like many do I started at the back of the class just hoping to survive each class. I was lucky enough to have instructors that really motived the entire class no matter the level or where you were in the room. With that came success and was so empowering. That inspired me to want to help others in their fitness journey so I became an AFAA certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor and most recently a certified Epic coach! Which is super exciting! I love seeing people succeed, crush their goals and set new ones. We are never done growing and improving!

In the last few years I have discovered I enjoy Obstacle Course Racing. It has helped me grow not only physically but mentally. The camaraderie and confidence it instills in every person who completes a race is amazing and addicting. No matter if it is your first race or 50th. I have competed in several local races and qualified and competed in the OCR World Championships twice and North American OCR Championships once. Such an amazing experience. I am looking forward to helping you reach your goals no matter what they are! Success is within reach!

“The pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow”

Lara Ramos is our EPIC Mobility Coach.  Lara is from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. Her family has been living on the Space Coast since 2007.

Lara has practiced Yoga since 2011, and taught since 2014.  She completed her 200 E-RYT Yoga Certification under Annette Armstrong at Downtown Yoga, a pioneer in this field in Melbourne, Florida. Her certifications include Vinyasa, Yin, Hot and Power Yoga.

Coach Lara strives to provide you a practice that includes effort and surrender. She meets her students at their level of experience and physical ability with a focus on safety and body awareness.  Her classes and sequences are approachable, nurturing, creative, at times challenging and always fun. She spends time creating a playlist along with the sequence so that you will leave feeling renewed, inspired and accomplished.

Lara considers her Yoga practice a  constant journey. Yoga has given her freedom both physically and mentally. She believes strongly in the value of remaining a student and has plans to continue to deepen her training not only as a Yoga Instructor but also in foundational Ayurveda philosophy to complement the Yoga Practice and enhance the health and well being of each individual.

Lets explore #EpicMobility Yoga Flow together.  See you on the mat!

Coach Terry grew up in Dallas, Texas and is consumed by all things outdoors. While growing up in Texas, he was active in Boy Scouts, football, BMX, and Karate. By his early twenties, he was living in San Diego, California and fully engaged in all the outdoor activities that Southern California has to offer – ocean swimming, surfing, hiking, road biking, Team Sport Kiting, and a deep dive into Tae Kwon Do.

Terry began his technical career as a radar engineering support and integration technician at Naval Research and Development (NRaD), Depot West in San Diego, and providing full radar system refurbishments at Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWAR), San Diego. Terry received his formal radar system training at Pensacola Naval Air Station, home the Blue Angels. In 2000, Terry left the government for the private sector to work for Northrop Grumman where he managed remote radar sites and deployments supporting US counter-drug efforts in Central and South America. Terry met the love of his life while in Colombia and they were married in her home town of Medellin in 2005. Then in 2008 it was time to raise a family and they moved to El Paso, Texas where Terry worked for ITT Systems on the Tethered Aerostat Radars along the US Border.

In 2010, Terry moved to Melbourne, Florida where Terry has taken on multiple rolls for TSS Solutions. As a Certified Quality Auditor, LSSBB, and PMP Terry is a change agent in and out of the office and the Kaizen philosophy of small incremental continuous improvements is the perfect match for EPIC Interval Training.

Terry got his first taste of Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) in 2015 when he took part in the Brevard County Sheriff’s office Jail Break Mud Run. He then went on to run in the Miami Spartan Sprint that same year and the addiction to OCR was set. In 2017, Terry began competing in the Age Group category and with the help of Coach Jackie was able to qualify for and compete in the 2019 Spartan North American Championships. Terry received his Personal Trainer Certification from the American Counsel on Exercise (ACE) in 2020.

When I was about 9 years old, I realized that adults got big and slow when they stopped playing – Never stop playing!

Jackie is co-ownerand has knowledge and experience in coaching all ages, levels and abilities. Coach Jackie is a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise ACE, a Certified Spartan SGX Level 1 Coach, and a certified EPIC Interval Training Coach. Jackie has always loved fitness and sports. She played Division 1 Field Hockey at The University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) where she received her Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering degree and her Masters in Business Administration (MBA). She was part of the 1999 Division 1 National Championship Team. In 2001, Jackie began distance running and ran Cross Country and Track & Field at UMD until 2002. From 2002-2003, Jackie was the Assistant Coach of the UMD Cross Country Team. Jackie has continued to run competitively since 2003 until the present. Jackie has trained for and competed in short and long distance running events obstacle course races. Her favorite distances are 5k, 10k, 10 mile, Half Marathon, and Marathons (she has run 9!). Jackie has also run over 15 Spartan Races (completing the Spartan Trifecta in 2014 and 2018, and 2019) and multiple other branded OCR races (Spartan Race, Tough Mudder, Savage, BattleFrog, and Rugged Maniac). Because she is a Certified ACE Personal Trainer, and Certified Spartan Race Group Exercise Coach (Spartan SGX), she is highly qualified to train participants for obstacle course and endurance racing. Finally, Jackie works full time in the Aerospace and Defense Industry and is a mom of three kids. Becoming a mom helped Jackie to realize that there is no better time to do what you have dreamed of than today.

• Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering since 2003.
• Master’s degree in business administration (MBA) since 2010.
• EPIC Interval Training Coach since 2020.
• ACE-Certified Personal Trainer since 2009.
• Spartan Group Exercise (SGX) Certified since 2015.
• Mad Dogg Athletics Spinning Certified 2006-2009.
• CPR/AED Certified since 2006.

 Coach

Steve Schmoll is owner and chief operating officer and has developed expertise in coaching professional and recreational athletes of all levels and abilities. Steve played Division 1 Baseball at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) where he received his Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering degree. Steve was the UMD Male Athlete of the Year and led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in Strikeouts while setting the UMD Single Season Strikeout Record. Steve was a professional baseball player from 2003 through 2009 playing for the LA Dodgers, New York Mets, and Washington Nationals Major League Baseball organizations. Coach Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering and a master’s degree as a Physician Assistant, specializing in Orthopedics. Steve is also a Certified Spartan Race Group Exercise Coach (SGX) and Certified EPIC Interval Training Coach. Steve brings years of training athletes of all ages in multiple sports.

• Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering since 2003.
• Master’s degree in Physician Assistant since 2014.
• EPIC Interval Training Coach since 2020.
• Spartan Group Exercise (SGX) Certified since 2015.
• Baseball Technique Expert since 2003.
• CPR/AED Certified since 2010.

My name is Joanna Pettis and I live in PSJ with my husband, Jim, and my daughter, Kierston. I grew up in Merritt Island and graduated from Merritt Island High School, where I was a cheerleader and volleyball/softball player. I graduated from UCF with a degree in Early Childhood Education in 2000 have been teaching at Atlantis Elementary ever since. In 2010, I decided I also wanted to be a group fitness instructor so I completed my certification though AFAA. I began teaching classes such as cardio kickboxing, Strong, Core & More, and HIIT. In 2018, I also received my GEAR certification and started to instruct indoor cycling classes.

I absolutely love instructing/coaching classes and there’s nothing better than sweating and getting stronger with others. Through fitness, I have met some amazing people and some of my best friends. It is so exciting to see people reaching goals and doing things that they didn’t think they could do. Regardless of fitness level – from beginner to elite – there is always room for growth and improvement. I believe that the camaraderie of a group fitness setting fosters accountability and more enjoyment of workouts. And, although each person has their own fitness journey, group fitness gives us a little push; whether it’s friendly competition, inspiration or motivation.

I’ve always been adventurous and had an active lifestyle with a passion for fitness. In 2012, I discovered “mud runs” which were relatively new to the fitness and running world. Over the years these fun “mud runs” have become more competitive and have evolved into obstacle course races (OCR’s). These OCR’s provide motivation for my own personal workouts as the obstacles require strength, endurance, agility, grip strength, balance, and mental grit. As an avid OCR athlete, I have competed in over 95 events including the OCR World Championships 3 times, the United States OCR Championships, and the North American OCR Championships twice. Many of my own personal fitness goals currently revolve around my passion for OCR. Whatever your fitness goals are, I look forward to helping you reach them!

Coach Terry grew up in Dallas, Texas and is consumed by all things outdoors. While growing up in Texas, he was active in Boy Scouts, football, BMX, and Karate. By his early twenties, he was living in San Diego, California and fully engaged in all the outdoor activities that Southern California has to offer – ocean swimming, surfing, hiking, road biking, Team Sport Kiting, and a deep dive into Tae Kwon Do.

Terry began his technical career as a radar engineering support and integration technician at Naval Research and Development (NRaD), Depot West in San Diego, and providing full radar system refurbishments at Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWAR), San Diego. Terry received his formal radar system training at Pensacola Naval Air Station, home the Blue Angels. In 2000, Terry left the government for the private sector to work for Northrop Grumman where he managed remote radar sites and deployments supporting US counter-drug efforts in Central and South America. Terry met the love of his life while in Colombia and they were married in her home town of Medellin in 2005. Then in 2008 it was time to raise a family and they moved to El Paso, Texas where Terry worked for ITT Systems on the Tethered Aerostat Radars along the US Border.

In 2010, Terry moved to Melbourne, Florida where Terry has taken on multiple rolls for TSS Solutions. As a Certified Quality Auditor, LSSBB, and PMP Terry is a change agent in and out of the office and the Kaizen philosophy of small incremental continuous improvements is the perfect match for EPIC Interval Training.

Terry got his first taste of Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) in 2015 when he took part in the Brevard County Sheriff’s office Jail Break Mud Run. He then went on to run in the Miami Spartan Sprint that same year and the addiction to OCR was set. In 2017, Terry began competing in the Age Group category and with the help of Coach Jackie was able to qualify for and compete in the 2019 Spartan North American Championships. Terry received his Personal Trainer Certification from the American Counsel on Exercise (ACE) in 2020.

When I was about 9 years old, I realized that adults got big and slow when they stopped playing – Never stop playing!

Judy

Coach

Judy McManus has always had a passion for sports and fitness, focusing on soccer, track, and basketball in high school and continuing to play recreational soccer until the birth of her first child in 2010. She took up crossfit, bootcamps, and HIITs as her primary forms of exercise until she discovered OCRs in 2018. Judy ran her first OCR with Jackie and Steve Schmoll in 2018 and has been hooked ever since. Within her first year of racing competitively, she placed 3rd in the Spartan US National Series for her Age Group and competed in the Spartan World Championship in Tahoe, CA. Judy is a 5x Spartan podium award winner and has found a new passion in trail running.

Outside of OCRs, Judy is a FL Gator, graduating with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and working at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in Medical Affairs. She has two young boys who keeps her busy with balancing work, their extracurricular activities, and training. Her reason for coaching is “I enjoy helping people challenge themselves to reach new goals, whatever that might be for an individual. For myself, I was never a collegiate level athlete and only started to really push myself in my mid-forties. My first road race was a half marathon which I had only started running 3 months prior. I can do more pull-ups, run farther, and lift more weights now than ever before. Don’t let your mind create limits, at any age people can start to see what their true potential is!”

CASSIDY WATTON

Head of Programming / Coach

Cassidy lives and breathes the Hybrid Training lifestyle! As is Head Coach and Program Director, her passion is creating exciting and effective workouts and putting them into a well-rounded program for all levels to get (and stay) in the best shape of their lives. Cassidy is a member of the Spartan Race Pro Team and is the Champion of CMT’s Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge. Cassidy practices what she preaches…when she is not coaching, you can find her taking a class and setting a brutal pace!