Laurie Chamberlain

I had never been much of athlete, and am stronger and fitter now in my mid-40s than I was in my 20s. My wife Sonya (also a LEAF coach), introduced me to CrossFit in 2016 when we lived in Minnesota. At the time, I was doing "silent sports" (swimming, running, cycling, rowing and paddling, and nordic skiing) and regular barbell and kettlebell strength and conditioning work on my own. I kept hurting myself when I'd squat. I still remember the cue the coach gave me on my first day at CrossFit, which fixed my squat: "staple your ribcage to your belly." I got hooked on learning new skills, improving my fitness, getting stronger, and being surrounded people who get it.

Having moved to Wenatchee in the fall of 2021, we started at LEAF when it opened in 2022, and I started coaching in the spring of 2023. I have years of experience with barbells, kettlebells, and CrossFit. I enjoy helping people find the richness I have found in CrossFit, which carries over into all facets of my life. And it's thrilling to watch an athlete hit a PR and  have them tell me I gave the cue that made it happen.