Education:

Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of South Carolina, 2019
Master of Science, Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, 2015
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, University of Dayton, 2012

Certifications:

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
USAW Sports Performance Coach
OPEX CCP Exercise Physiology: Program Design
OPEX CCP Exercise Physiology: Assessment
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
Functional Movement Screen Certified
Clinical Athlete Weightlifting Certification Course
Clinical Management of the Fitness Athlete: Live Course
Rocktape Rock Blades Certified
Coaching History:
Carolina Performance Training, August 2015 – Present
Carolina CrossFit, November 2013 – Present
Head of Programming / CrossFit Coach
Football Strength & Conditioning Intern, University of South Carolina, May 2014 – August 2014
Olympic Sports Strength & Conditioning Intern, University of South Carolina, Jan. 2014 – May 2014

Athletic Accolades:

4-year letterman (Baseball) at University of Dayton, 2009-2012
Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League All-Star, 2011
Atlantic 10 regular season champions, 2009 and 2012
Atlantic 10 Tournament champions, 2012
Atlantic 10 All-Tournament Team, 2012
NCAA College Station Regional, 2012
CrossFit Games Regional Team Competitor, 2013 and 2014

“While playing baseball at the University of Dayton, I developed a passion for fitness and sports performance. When my career ended in 2012, I began searching for a way to remain competitive. Having trained and competed at a high level my entire life, I needed a new reason to keep pushing myself. Fortunately, I found the sport of fitness.

In August 2013, I moved to Columbia to start graduate school at USC. I graduated with a Master's in Exercise Science, concentrating in Applied Physiology. During my time at USC, I had the privilege of working with some incredible SEC athletes. Additionally, in November 2013, I began coaching at Carolina CrossFit (CCF). Helping others reach their fitness and performance goals quickly became a passion. Whether working with student-athletes or beginners to fitness training, I love engaging with individuals of all abilities and experiences.

In 2015, we founded Carolina Performance Training, seizing another opportunity to work in sports performance with competitive CrossFit athletes and weekend warriors. As our success at CCF grew, we began receiving remote coaching requests from across the region. To meet this demand, we developed and perfected our remote coaching platform, achieving great success with athletes nationwide. Now, we provide top-tier coaching, programming, and nutrition services to anyone, regardless of location.

In the fall of 2016, I decided to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy at the University of South Carolina. I was inspired by the leaders in physical therapy and their significant impact on patients' lives. I recognized the synergy between physical therapy principles and strength & conditioning, and how the PT community could benefit from greater strength & conditioning knowledge. My goal is to blend these fields to offer my athletes and patients the best possible coaching and care.

If you have any questions about training, nutrition, recovery, or lifestyle, please feel free to ask. I look forward to helping you reach your health and fitness goals!”

Currently I am Student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of South Carolina. Before moving to S.C. I spent the last five years as a student at Central Michigan University (CMU). During my time as an undergraduate student, I was able to partake in numerous opportunities to grow as a person and in the field of exercise science. I spent time as a student athletic trainer working with the women’s soccer team, where I was able to perform special tests to determine injuries, create treatment plans for injuries, and perform tapings and wrappings. In addition to coursework, I was on a team with other co-investigators determining whether the effects of time under tension or amount of repetitions produce the best results with blood flow restriction (BFR). Outside of school, I worked as a personal trainer and a CrossFit coach. Through these experiences, I was able to work individually with clients and help set them on the path to reach their goals by creating exercise programs specific to their goals, instructed them on proper form to engrain perfect rep replication to help prevent injuries and facilitate the proper muscles are working, and helped them make lifestyle changes that would have an even more profound effect than just the work they put in at the gym. To cap off my undergraduate degree I was able to go out and seek an internship and found Vertex Strength. Through my experience here, I am now able to write programs for all kinds of athletes, coach a beginner athlete to become proficient in Olympic lifts, make comprehensive programs for high school team sports, and gained confidence in my coaching voice. This past year, I spent as a Graduate Assistant at CMU. Where I taught anatomy labs, and a training and performance lab. In these labs, I was able to provide feedback on assignments, and practicals to allow my students to grow. I addition, I was able to get an even better understanding of the human body by performing dissections on cadavers to ensure structures are clearly visible for students learning. I am very grateful for all these opportunities and how they have allowed me to grow in the field of exercise science. That is why I am so excited with this move to S.C. to start PT school and working for Vertyex because it will allow me to continue to grow and become a better person and coach.

Kristin spent several of her childhood years right here in Cayce-West Columbia before moving to Lexington where she graduated from Gilbert High School. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina in 2010, graduating with a B.A. in Political Science with a focus on American Politics and a minor in Criminal Justice. She is a Certified CrossFit Level 2 trainer and Precision Nutrition Coach.

Kristin developed a strong love for exercise and fitness from an early age as an athlete. Her desire to coach and lead people is shown through her energy and passion that she brings to the table. Coach Kristin wants you to move, and move well. Through the years, she has also expanded her passion for fitness by delving into the nutrition world. She loves helping people reach their health and fitness goals through not only exercise but by educating them on the benefits of a nutritious diet. Eating and your nutrition is all about creating a healthy relationship with food!

In her spare time, you'll find Kristin enjoying most things outdoors! She loves to travel, cook (no way!), exercise (no brainer) and spend time with family/friends. She's a die-hard Gamecock fan and loves MLB. You can find her on instagram as @coach.kristin.drafts.

Jon is a student physical therapist at USC and the head of personal training at the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center.

Jon is originally from New Hartford, Connecticut. He attended the University of New England and received a Bachelor's in Exercise Science. While there, he was a strength and conditioning intern for all varsity sports.

When asked about his favorite hobbies, he notes, "lifting, playing frisbee, disc golf, or other sports with his friends." He even enjoys playing water polo. A fun fact many people don't know is that he holds a discus record at his high school.

I grew up in Charleston SC. My fitness journey started in junior year of high school when I found myself on the wrestling mats at bishop england highschool and almost immediately fell in love with training. After highschool I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where I continue to pursue performance and training After returning to Charleston I attended cofc to study English and relocated to Columbia in 2021. Shortly after I discovered CrossFit and hit the ground running. Since then I've dedicated my time to learning and teaching movement as a coach at Vertex and Carolina CrossFit. In my free time you can find me taking class at CCF, hanging with my dogs on the Riverwalk, or trying to make.time for a surf trip!

Professional education: CF L1, CF L2, ISSA, OPEX

Bio Coming Soon!

I grew up in Rochester, NY and moved to South Carolina to start PT school at the University of South Carolina (UofSC) in the fall of 2021. I received a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Syracuse University while playing ice hockey and working as an intern for the Syracuse Football Strength and Conditioning staff. Prior to this, I gained experience working in a private training facility where I coached various athletes and age groups, ranging from middle school to professional athletes, in small group settings. Additionally, I have worked with UofSC's campus recreation department as a personal trainer, helping many individuals achieve their fitness and wellness goals. Throughout my education, I have earned my NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification and I am also a USA Weightlifting Level 1 coach. In my free time, I enjoy rollerblading and playing disc golf at the numerous courses around Columbia.