Coaches
CrossFit Bel Air Coaches
Our goal is to safely help everyday people reach elite levels of fitness and improve the quality of their lives through proper progression, effective programming, nutrition, and motivation. This is our passion.
Don Clarkson
“I am an active duty Army Soldier with over 20 years of service. I picked up CrossFit in the military and have been addicted ever since. My background was traditional weight lifting mixed with cardio – I was the typical gym-goer. I ran 5ks, 10ks, and some marathons; I spent hours in the gym doing “3 sets of 10”; I believed I was training for the demands of my job and considered myself fit. Then I encountered CrossFit and realized I was not so fit after all. I found myself running less but getting faster at all distances, my nagging joint injuries disappeared and I had more flexibility and moved better than I could ever remember moving. I noticed that when people got together to workout in groups the intensity, focus and results of the training improved drastically. I also noticed that people had fun and bonded during the workouts creating a fantastic community. The CrossFit program has brought my own fitness and the fitness of my athletes to levels that were previously only dreams.”
Certifications
CrossFit Level 1 Certified Trainer
CrossFit Nutrition Certified
CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified Trainer
CrossFit Endurance Certified Trainer
CrossFit Running Certified Trainer / Level 1 Certified Pose Coach
CrossFit Mobility and Movement Certified Trainer
SPEAR Level 1 Certified Trainer
Attended Greg Amundson’s Goal Setting and Positive Self-Talk Seminar
CrossFit Games Regional Judge – 2009, 2011 & 2012
CPR, American Heart Association
Contact Don at: Don@crossfitbelair.com
Melanie Clarkson
“My husband introduced me to CrossFit in 2007. From my first workout of Cindy through today I have not found a more physically challenging exercise program. Prior to CrossFit I would spend hours in the gym but never felt strong; that all changed when CrossFit became my passion. I workout for half the time and have never felt stronger or fitter. CrossFit will push you to the limits or your ability both physically and mentally but you will be a better person for it. At Gladitorivs CrossFit Bel Air, there will be a community of athletes who will be your biggest supporters while still pushing you to your limits. I look forward to sharing this experience with you :-)”
Certifications
CrossFit Level 1 Certified Trainer
CrossFit Kids Certified Trainer
CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified Trainer
CrossFit Endurance Certified Trainer
CrossFit Mobility and Movement Certified Trainer
Attended Greg Amundson’s Goal Setting and Positive Self-Talk Seminar
CPR, American Heart Association
Contact Melanie at: Melanie@crossfitbelair.com
Brian Bizzano
“I have been in the energy commodity trading business for over 12 years. Prior to that, I graduated from the Georgetown University MBA program. I was an officer of Marines on active duty for 3 ½ years and in the reserves for another 12 years. Until I discovered CrossFit, my exercise regime consisted of 5 one hour workouts per week at a typical gym. I was frustrated at the limitations imposed on me by my old globo-gym. These limitations made me unfit, though I never realized how unfit I was until I tried CrossFit’s demanding, and ever variable workouts. I am 40 years old and am significantly more fit than I was when I was on active duty in my 20’s. While I am a trainer, I am a student and constantly pushing myself to learn new skills and achieve better fitness.”
Certifications
CrossFit Level 1 Certified Trainer
CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified Trainer
Certified Concept 2 Indoor Rowing Coach
Contact Brian at: brian@crossfitbelair.com
Andy King
“I fell in love with CrossFit the first time I watched YouTube videos of the workouts about 8 years ago…
The problem- there was nowhere I could safely learn, perfect, and perform the workouts properly so I just continued to be a fan…
At that point I thought of CrossFit as hardcore training for amazingly fit athletes…
Over the past 2 years I found my initial impression of CrossFit was 110% wrong!!! It is not just a hardcore exercise program for elite athletes….
What I’ve truly discovered with my training and experience is CrossFit is a universal program intended to help anyone, and everyone – any age and ability level gain functional capacity and a superior level of health and fitness!!!! It will help a person who does not exercise become healthier and more fit and at the same time it can challenge and test the most elite athletes on earth and push them to their limits and it does it safely and effectively for all categories of ability!
I attended Towson University and attained a bachelor degree in Environmental Health as well as Health Education for grades K-12. Following my graduation I was a middle school health education teacher. I then became a MD State Trooper and I served as a Trooper for 10 years before being forced to retire due to on-duty incidents that injured my lumbar spine, which had to be fused. As for exercise/fitness I exercised with traditional methods since I was 14 years old and after 20 years of traditional methods I found myself with a fused spine and pretty “worse for wear” …I was in my mid 30′s over weight, and really not enjoying life to its fullest.
Since retiring from State Police in 2008 I searched for fitness programs that would allow me to overcome my spinal injury, control my weight, gain strength, help me regain my functional abilities as a human in general, to regain my functionality, and my enjoyment of life in general.
I experimented with many classes and trends at local gyms, I sought help from “diet doctors” and the list goes on. It wasn’t until I understood what CrossFit really was and tried it for myself that I found what I needed!
I am quickly surpassing levels of physical ability I had in my early 20′s. I have regained a superior level of strength, lost a large amount of body fat, gained flexibility, power, stamina, Etc.
Most importantly, I have a renewed perspective on life. I can readily engage in physical activities at home with my friends, family, and my 2 year old son and enjoy every minute of my life! I feel If I had known about CrossFit and it existed 20 years ago I would still be a State Trooper and wouldn’t have been so susceptible to injury. I blame traditional training for many of my physical ailments, prior injuries and weakness… Those days are a distant memory and I have CrossFit to thank!!! Now I feel it is my goal to share CrossFit with as many people as possible, no mater your age, current abilities or limitations. I truly would like to share CrossFit with everyone so people can begin to experience life to its fullest extent, achieve fitness in general, excel at sports, excel in military/fire/police activities, conquer anything life throws at you, and most importantly I want people to remember what it was like to feel like a kid again to feel unstoppable!!”
Certifications
CrossFit Level 1 Certified Trainer
Contact Andy at: andy@crossfitbelair.com
Carrie Kelley
I graduated from Temple University, where I was the coxswain of the Women’s Rowing team and commissioned as an Officer through the ROTC
program. Through rowing and the Army I have become passionate for my
fitness and health. I was always a runner, did varying distances, a
couple marathons and other fun runs but was always timid of hitting
the weights due to my stature. I was introduced to CrossFit in 2008
and have never been more pleased with the results that I have seen in
myself and others around me who do it. CrossFit has changed my outlook
on how to function and excel at all levels no matter how small! Every
workout is a new challenge and every workout I try to meet that
challenge. I take pride in pushing myself to the limit; however I
could not do it alone. At GCFBA we have a great group of athletes who
not only work hard and play hard but encourage you to do the same.
Certifications
CrossFit Level 1 Certified Trainer
Contact Carrie at: carrie@crossfitbelair.com
Shannon Kissling
“I was introduced to CrossFit back in 2005. Prior to CF, I was your typical gym gerbil, buying all the magazines and wondering why I wasn’t getting any stronger even though I was following the “rules”. I spent HOURS in the gym. Now I can get a total workout in 4 minutes and be smoked! How awesome is that? I’m the mom of two teenage boys and they love telling their friends their mom can do pull ups! I love CrossFit. I live CrossFit. It’s not just a workout for me; it’s a way of life. I’m stronger now than I’ve ever been and I want to share how I got there with everyone!”
Certifications
CrossFit Level 1 Certified Trainer
CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified Trainer
CrossFit Kettlebell Certified Trainer
CrossFit Gymnastics Certified Trainer
CrossFit Running and Endurance
Certified Trainer
CrossFit Kids Certified Trainer
Attended CrossFit 101 with Coach Glassman
Contact Shannon at: shannon@crossfitbelair.com
Teddy Ballard
Teddy Ballard, PT, DPT, MTC is a graduate from the University of Saint Augustine in Saint Augustine, Florida. Teddy received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2009, after earning his B.S. in Exercise Science from Towson University. He earned his advanced Manual Therapy Certification (MTC) in 2011 from the University of Saint Augustine, and became ASTYM certified in 2011. Teddy specializes in general orthopedics and sports medicine with an emphasis on dysfunctions of the spine and extremities as it relates to the high performance athlete. He hosts monthly injury prevention seminars as well as mobility / stability seminars to help athletes to avoid any severe injury.
Certifications
CrossFit Level 1 Certified Trainer
Contact Teddy at: teddy@crossfitbelair.com
Mike Hogan
“I first tried CrossFit in August 2009 and it only took one WOD to get
me hooked. I enjoyed it so much that I was driving 45 minutes one way
to the closest box to me at that time. In April 2010, I was hired as a
Firefighter/ EMT with the Loudoun County, VA Department of Fire and
Rescue, forcing me to give up CrossFit for 9 months due being in the
academy. However, CrossFit made the PT program in the academy seem
easy. In December 2010, even with no box still in Harford County, I
started CrossFit up again and was driving 45 minutes to a box to get a
WOD in twice a week. I completed my level 1 cert in May 2011 at Fort
Meade. In July 2011, I left my job in VA to work for the Baltimore
City Fire Department and also began doing garage WODs with fellow
Gladiatorivs Coach Roland. As a life long Harford County resident, it
was so nice for the Harford County Community to finally get a local
box when Gladiatorivs opened. During my experiences with CrossFit, I
have had a privilege to be a member and train under great coaches at
CrossFit Baltimore (now closed), Primal Fitness (Washington, DC),
Crofton CrossFit, and Arenal Fitness (Pikesville, MD). I have also had
the opportunity to workout and serve as a fill-in coach at Titan
CrossFit (Timonium, MD). CrossFit has improved my fitness and health
dramatically. As a coach, I hope to share with athletes the benefits
of CrossFit.”
Certifications
CrossFit Level 1 Certified Trainer
CPR, American Heart Association
Contact Mike at: mike@crossfitbelair.com
Brad Lewis
“I am a police officer with over 15 years experience and have always maintained a high level of fitness. I have competed at the National level in both Powerlifting and Olympic weight lifting since 1996. After a few operations on my back & knee, I decided to focus on a type of training that would help me in overall conditioning and not just strength. My first experience with CrossFit was in 2009 while getting certified as a CrossFit kettlebell coach. I was floored to see how CrossFit’s short intense workout could crush me in just minutes yet it took over an hour with traditional competitive lifting. I have always thought I was in good condition; however’ I did not realize how fit I could get until I turned to CrossFit. With the lack of CrossFit gyms at that time, I started CrossFit training out of my garage with several friends. However, it was not until I joined Gladiatorivs that I really saw my potential to get even stronger. In April 2102 I competed at the Olympic Weight Lifting Masters Nationals and took 2nd place in the country in my age/weight class. Without CrossFit this would not be possible.”
Certifications
CrossFit Kettlebell Certified Trainer
Level 1 USAW Olympic Weight Lifting Coach
Intrafit Certified Exercise Technologist
SPEAR Level 1 Certified Trainer
Contact Brad at: brad@crossfitbelair.com
Roland Keller
“I am an active duty Soldier having straddled the past 16 years in the Enlisted and Officer ranks of the Infantry. I was a typical “Gym Rat” with a bench over 500lbs and a squat under 400lbs. Bottom-line: My priorities were jacked up. At 6’4” and 260lbs, I have fought to hang with the “typical” Soldiers and Marines my entire career often outweighing any individual in my formation by 100lbs or more. I could run for distance, but never for speed. I could lift heavy things and carry them long distances, but without speed. I could barely break my normal running pace for 2-4 miles and would be completely winded in under a minute. I had enough of it and used what I knew worked for me during deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq that gave me increased endurance and no loss of strength. We called it Combat PT or Functional Fitness. After returning from my deployments I discovered CrossFit after hearing a couple of Soldiers talking about the web site. I jumped on board slowly due to the restrictions of the gyms I was using. Seeing results but becoming a little aggravated by the common gym restrictions, I bought a CF package for my house and while waiting for it to arrive I attended a Level 1 Cert in 2008. I did my first Fran there and never looked back. I continued CrossFitting for the following years and started up a small but dedicated community of workout partners wherever I went. We did workouts at my house in a good garage gym or in a field with body weight or buddy weight workouts. I have spent months traveling using basic or no equipment to have WODs and keep in shape. The community and the variety of CrossFit have had me hooked ever since. My health and outlook is better and my recovery time from numerous significant injuries has been remarkably fast. My favorite part of CrossFit is the long term health gains that will have me active in my Wife and Children’s lives for years to come.”
Certifications
CrossFit Level 1 Certified Trainer
CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified Trainer
CrossFit Kettlebell Certified Trainer
CrossFit Games Regional Judge – 2012
2nd Degree Blackbelt in Korean Hap-ki-do
Contact Roland at: roland@crossfitbelair.com
