Meet the CrossFit Warehouse team
At CrossFit Warehouse in Alsip, IL, we are dedicated to creating a fitness community where everyone can thrive. Our gym combines expert coaching, cutting-edge facilities, and a supportive environment to help you reach your fitness goals. Discover a place where your fitness journey is guided by passion and professionalism.
Our Coaches
Our coaches at CrossFit Warehouse in Alsip, IL, are more than just trainers; they are passionate professionals committed to your success. Each member of our team brings a wealth of experience and a personalized approach to help you achieve your fitness objectives. With diverse specialties ranging from strength training to wellness, our coaches are here to support and inspire you every step of the way.
Veronica Romero
How did you get into fitness and or CrossFit?
I was always very much into sports and quite the tomboy growing up in a house full of boys. I always loved playing sports and being active. After I had my son in 2000 I kinda fell off and went to a place where I became very uncomfortable with myself. I knew that I needed to do something and I just wasn’t sure what would help me at that point. I found myself running again as an outlet and to help me get back on track and I was hooked on distance running. I discovered CrossFit while training for my first or second Marathon in hopes of it helping me complete a better time (IT DID) and has been doing so ever since! I instantly became obsessed with CrossFit as we all do, right!
How long have you been doing CrossFit?
I found CrossFit in early 2014
What made you want to become a CrossFit Trainer?
My passion for the sport has led me to want to share my experience with others and continue learning and growing with the sport of CrossFit as an athlete but more importantly as a coach. I truly believe that alongside a healthy lifestyle diet that everyone should be doing CrossFit to improve their overall health, strength and conditioning.
My favorite part of the sport is that you can find an entire family (mom, dad, sister, brother, etc) at any given box doing the same exact WOD together while scaling accordingly. It’s a family sport and anyone can do CrossFit!
What are some of the things you are most proud of accomplishing in and outside the gym?
Truly, being a mother and wife to my two great guys has been the most rewarding accomplishment to date! Aside from that I am extremely proud of completing 20 plus half marathons, 6 marathons, Spartan Races, Sprint and Olympic Distance Triathlons and most recently an Ironman Arizona 2023.
What are some of your goals you have yet to accomplish but hope to someday?
Travel to Peru, complete a triathlon with my son.
What CrossFit movements would make up your favorite WOD?
Deadlifts, running, and box jumps.
What is your favorite music or favorite song to listen to while doing a WOD?
RAP always RAP
Qualifications: CrossFit L2 Trainer
CrossFit Kids
Certified Gymnastics Course
USAW L1 (Weightlifting)
Ray Garcia
How did you get into fitness and or CrossFit?
As a die-hard fan of American Ninja Warrior, I was looking for a path to train to try out for the show. I was also looking to get in shape after a few years of raising my newborn son and daughter (and not doing much else). Entering my 30s, I felt a need to make my health and wellness a priority. While I have yet to realize my dream of becoming a televised ninja, I’m happy to say that through CrossFit, every year I strive to continue to be in my best physical and mental state.
How long have you been doing CrossFit?
I joined CrossFit Warehouse in 2012 and have been a member ever since. I’ve also been a gymnastics coach for over three years and teach Ninja/Obstacle Classes to kids and adults. I’m currently coaching Gymnastics and Barbell for CrossFit.
What made you want to become a CrossFit Trainer?
I love the community that we’ve built and I would sincerely do anything to help a member achieve their fitness goals. I’ve had plenty of coaches over the years and I’ve learned a lot about what to do (and sometimes not to do). It feels amazing to be in a position to give back.
What are some of the things you are most proud of accomplishing in and outside the gym?
I’m proud of locking down my wife/soulmate and having three wonderful kids! My Level 1 Crossfit certification was definitely a catalyst to keep moving forward on my current fitness journey.
What are some of your goals you have yet to accomplish but hope to someday?
To become an awesome and ridiculously fit grandfather/great grandfather.
What CrossFit movements would make up your favorite WOD?
Rope climbs, ring muscle ups, rowing, toes2bar, dumbbell snatches and double unders.
What is your favorite music or favorite song to listen to while doing a WOD?
I generally tend to lean toward 90s or current rap or electronic music. I can always listen to the Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine and Eminem but also like Kanye, Drake, Chance the Rapper, Kendrick Lamar… A lot of it depends on the type of workout 8)
Qualifications: CrossFit L2 Trainer USAW L1 (Olympic Weightlifting) Burgener Strength L1 (Olympic Weightlifting) USAG Certified (Gymnastics)
Estefania Demarchi
How did you get into CrossFit?
Was introduced to CrossFit in 2017. My little sister “bullied” me into it!
What made you want to be a CrossFit trainer?
I love having the ability to help others achieve their goals and watching the same process I went through unfold before my eyes.
What do u love most about coaching?
The opportunity to be able to assist those wanting to reach their full potential and overcome obstacles they never thought they would see the other side of is the reason I am a coach today.
What are the things that you are more proud of outside and inside the gym?
I was able to lose 80 pounds the real transformation wasn’t physical. Working out boosted my mental resilience. Pushing through a tough workout made me realize that I was not easily broken. As I became physically stronger I became more confident in my body and realized what my body can do. Most importantly, the confidence and resilience that I gained took me out of the depression I suffered from for years.
Goals yet to accomplish?
Just becoming the best version of myself every day and trying to help others achieve their goals!
Favorite Music
Drake, Chance the rapper, Bad bunny!
Certifications
CrossFit Level 1
CrossFit Level 2
Jessica Denst
How long have you been doing CrossFit?
I found CrossFit in 2011 after hearing my friends discuss their awesome results and all around love for the sport.
How did you get into fitness and or CrossFit?
I was never into playing sports and certainly did not enjoy working out much before CrossFit. I knew the workouts would not be easy but I was up for the challenge and ready to make some positive changes. With the help of my CrossFit community, determination, and consistency with diet and exercise, I was able to progress over the years.
What made you want to become a CrossFit Trainer?
In 2015, after witnessing first-hand the positive changes (physically, mentally, emotionally and socially) CrossFit had on my life, I made the decision to begin coaching to inspire others that anyone is capable of doing CrossFit and changing their lives for the better, regardless of their prior athletic ability. I hope that my story will inspire the everyday person who may not have a fitness background but is looking to challenge themselves and join CrossFit.
What are some of your goals you have yet to accomplish but hope to someday?
Outside of the gym I teach students with disabilities (ages 18-21) the knowledge and skills necessary to transition into adulthood. One current goal I have is to incorporate CrossFit into the school day as a way for all students to be involved in fitness and hopefully motivate the students to continue using CrossFit in their daily lives as they transition into adulthood. Currently, we have started the first Special Olympics weightlifting team at my school and have students working inside a CrossFit gym for employment. Nothing makes me happier than exposing others to my love of CrossFit in any capacity and watching them take off! Prior to starting a family I spent 1.5 years focusing specifically on weightlifting with the goal of competing in a weightlifting meet. While I have yet to accomplish this goal, I plan to achieve this in the near future.Inside the gym you will find me up bright and early at the 5am class.
What is your favorite music or favorite song to listen to while doing a WOD?
My perfect class would be listening to 90’s music while completing any workout that has gymnastics in it.
What CrossFit movements would make up your favorite WOD?
The clean and jerk and or snatch.
Qualifications: CrossFit L2 Trainer
Ross Casper
How did you get into fitness and or CrossFit?
I’ve always been an active person and loved to play sports. I had been watching a lot of CrossFit videos and documentaries and talking about it with my sister who encouraged me to just go and sign up.
What made you want to be a CrossFit trainer?
I want to be able to give back to the CrossFit community and help people reach their fullest potential. I also want to expand my knowledge of the fundamental principles and movements of CrossFit.
What do u love most about coaching?
As a coach, I can direct my passion for CrossFit into helping people improve and learn something new every day. I love being able to change someone’s mindset from “I can’t” to “I can.” To make a positive impact on someone’s day. To see progress over days, weeks, and months. The new coach’s tee is a nice perk too. 😉
What are the things that you are more proud of outside and inside the gym?
At the gym, I take pride in being able to continually push myself to work harder and see what I’m capable of. I care a lot about my family, friends, and community and am always thinking of others before myself.
What are some of your goals you have yet to accomplish but hope to someday?
I’m not a big fan of using the word “goals” because I think it’s too limiting and can discourage people from continuing to work hard and push themselves no matter what.
What is your favorite music or favorite song to listen to while doing a WOD?
I listen to a little bit of everything – country, hip-hop, EDM – just depends on my mood. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is definitely my WOD anthem year round… (Just kidding!) Or “Oh Maria” from Sister Act. (Not kidding.) Give me a mic and I’d karaoke “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” better than Maverick and Goose.
Qualifications:
CrossFit Level 1
Mike Fisher
How did you get into fitness and or CrossFit?
After getting out of the military in 2009, I found myself with a job traveling all across the midwest and living out of hotels and my service truck. 5 years later (and after a great deal of fast food) I found myself very out of shape and not feeling so great in general. After picking up P90X and doing that for a while, I found that I loved the type of exercise, but the repetitiveness was getting a bit old.
I love all genres of music but a few favorites while working out are: You’re going down – Sick Puppies, The Anthem – Good Charlotte, Defy You – The Offspring, Bleed it Out – Linkin Park, Psychosocial – Slipknot, and Gasoline – I Prevail (18+). I could write out a whole playlist here but it changes with my mood on any given day!
Michael Hagerman
How did you get into fitness and or CrossFit?
I grew up playing sports from elementary throughout high school and continued different avenues of fitness from bodybuilding to power lifting and now CrossFit. CrossFit became a part of my life while training for the Army physical fitness test. I wanted to be able to run fast but still be strong! Doing CrossFit turned out to be the most realistic way for me to achieve this goal.
-Being a coach is very rewarding when you can help someone grow as an athlete. I believe that a member’s win is my reward.
-Every day in the gym, there is always something that can improve, and I am most proud of being able to learn more and more about the potential I have as a coach, athlete and overall as a person. Outside of the gym I serve as a member of the US Army and I am proud to serve not only as coach, but as an active service member to protect our country.
-Qualifying for Semifinal CrossFit level competitions and big competitions like Wodapalooza are still in the works and is still something that I am trying to achieve. Also, continuing my education of CrossFit and becoming a Level 2 Trainer or better is something that I can imagine my self to become soon.
–I enjoy ALL music! And any song that has a perfectly timed beat that drops at the right time of a round or rep is a good song in my book!
Julian Cintron
How did you get into fitness and or CrossFit?
Born and raised into this lifestyle, no choice. LOL
What made you want to become a Trainer?
I love fitness and have been working out hard for years now and it changed my life completely for the better. I wanted to be part of that same journey for others, so becoming a trainer was only the next natural step for me to take.
What do you love most about coaching?
Getting to see the members from the beginning of their journey and into it as they start to see changes and become more confident and amazed at what they have accomplished so far. It’s a wonderful feeling.
What are some of the things you are most proud of accomplishing in and outside the gym?
Inside the gym, I am most proud of being able to finally get the body that I have wanted for years, of course with extremely hard work and dialed in nutrition. Outside of the gym I am most proud of completing the Chicago Marathon 2019.
What are some of your goals you have yet to accomplish but hope to someday?
Move to some place warm. Have my own successful business soon and make a lot of money.
What is your favorite music or favorite song to listen to while doing a WOD?
Any Trap music. Favorite song to work out to is freestyle by lil Baby.
Qualifications: ISSA Certified, CrossFit Level 1
Craig Hearn
How did you get into fitness and or CrossFit?
I started getting into Fitness heavily in 2008 or so when I started training seriously for Pro Wrestling. CrossFit around 2010 to get a bit closer to the intensity of Wrestling. Never turned back since!
What made you want to become a Trainer?
Love working with people. I have always been a better Coach than an athlete. I felt early on natural in speaking to people and teaching people how to do just about anything through clear communication. I have always felt comfortable with showing or explaining things in general.
What do you love most about coaching?
I love learning how people think and how to approach goals with someone and watch them accomplish what they set out. Big or small it’s very rewarding.
What are some of the things you are most proud of accomplishing in and outside the gym?
In the gym it has always been just great to watch people grow. Outside I have always been someone who does a lot of things. From being in a touring band to professional wrestler and more recently video producer for Content used for WWE and other independent companies. I have always wanted to be useful and good at what I do.
What are some of your goals you have yet to accomplish but hope to someday?
I would love to finally be a bit more confident in my actual own physical ability instead of always dwelling on what I don’t have. It’s easy for us to look at a person and help focus on the important parts to get them successful and its ALWAYS harder for ourselves to listen internally.
What is your favorite music or favorite song to listen to while doing a WOD?
The sweet sound of me breathing like a wounded bear LOL
Qualifications: CrossFit Level 1 / USAW Level 1 / AAAI-ISMA Training Cert
John Ziegler
How did you get into fitness and or CrossFit?
I got into CrossFit when a co-worker asked if I wanted to do a memorial workout that was raising money for some fallen SpecOps people. It was the 31 Heroes WOD and I wound up doing it with a group of SEALs who had served with them. It was hard, inspiring and fun. I was hooked.
What made you want to become a Trainer? I became a trainer in 2003 when I was approached by the head trainer at the gym I went to asking if I had an interest in being a strength and conditioning trainer there. I said yes, got my certification, went through an apprenticeship and have never regretted that decision.
What do you love most about coaching? Seeing people do things they didn’t think they could accomplish. That growth inspires me to find ways to be an even better coach.
What are some of the things you are most proud of accomplishing in and outside the gym? I am proud that at my age I am still getting stronger and still fairly fit. Outside of the gym I am most proud of being a husband, father, son, and brother to those I love.
What are some of your goals you have yet to accomplish but hope to someday? I have never done Grace in under 3min. It is something that bothers me.
What is your favorite music or favorite song to listen to while doing a WOD? 90’s hip-hop is my favorite to lift to. During a WOD I don’t really care since at some point I stop hearing the music and am just lost in my own head.
CrossFit Level 2, Personal Trainer, Fitness Nutrition, USAW, Mindfulness Coach Certification
Unique Features and Facilities
Join us at CrossFit Warehouse and become part of a community dedicated to prioritizing physical fitness for all ages. Our mission is to empower adolescents, parents, and elders to achieve a state of wellness over illness, strength, courage, and conquering any obstacles in their way.
Book Your Free Intro Session Today
Take the first step towards a healthier lifestyle with a free intro session at CrossFit Warehouse in Alsip, IL! Our team will provide a personalized tour of our facilities, introduce you to our services, and help you start your fitness journey. Schedule your session now and experience firsthand how CrossFit Warehouse can support your goals.