SYNERGY ATHLETE is owned and operated by Carrie Jo Chernoff-Hicks. Our coaches and community will, without a doubt, help you elevate your game whether you're simply seeking to trim a few pounds or trim a few minutes off a personal record.
My journey with health and fitness started many years ago when I was training to be a Chef in my home country – South Africa. It started with a simple course in nutrition & food science which opened my eyes to how the land and sea nourishes us. Around the same time I discovered Kettlebell training. The lifestyle changes I made changed my body and mind. It became a passion and I neverlooked back!
I started group training in Crested Butte in 2017 and received my ISSA Group Training Certificate in 2018. I love giving a fun, dynamic, challenging class that leaves my clients feeling good about themselves. I’m constantly researching and experimenting with new disciplines to pass onto my clients to make them stronger and reach their own optimal health goals.
When I’m not in the gym, you can find me hiking, trail running, mountain biking, cross country skiing, reading or cooking up a storm!
8 Years of Coaching Experience
I first started crossfit in 2010 to supplement my endurance training. I quickly realized I was much better at lifting weights than running fast and decided to get my level 1 to pursue Crossfit. Over the years I have oscillated between training with and coaching games level athletes and national level weightlifters to running new member training and beginner Olympic lifting classes. I love working with people of all skill levels who want to improve and get fitter, whatever that means for them. I believe in the physical and mental benefits of doing difficult things and love to see how this translates to athletes accomplishing their goals.
Outside of the gym, you can find me running, mountain biking, learning to cross country ski, or reading a good book.
Laura is a Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Coach who has a passion for movement and the outdoors. After a long career in healthcare and experiencing her own fitness journey she became a personal trainer. In her free time you will likely find her outdoors hiking, showshoeing, rucking (hiking with a weighted backpack), camping, paddleboarding and taking long roadtrips. The trails and open spaces hold a special place for Laura. She is a Peak Steward and trail work volunteer with Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, Rocky Mountain Field Institute, BVSC and other trail organizations.
Laura is new to the Gunnison Valley but not new to Colorado. She has two adult children and one granddaughter in Texas. Ask her about her Moon Chaser skirts and photo puzzle hobby.
She strongly believes movement is key to longevity and we must always train for life.
Certifications:
NASM CPT (Certified Personal Trainer)
CES (Corrective Exercise Specialist)
AFAA GFI (Group Fitness Instructor)
Human Movement Studies
Athletic DIrector - Crested Butte Community School
Gym Owner and Coach at South Charlotte CrossFit, Rocky Top CrossFit and Beer City CrossFit from 2010-2021
Owner
and administrative operator for SOF WODs.com, online personal program design for special operations preparation 2010-2021
Training with CrossFit Principles since 2010
CrossFit Level 1 Certified Coach
CrossFit Level 2 Certified Coach
USAW Olympic Lifting Level 1 Certified Coach
CrossFit Kids Certified Coach
OPEX Business Systems Certified
CrossFit Certified Judge
40 Under 40 - 2017: Asheville, NC
BoxPro Magazine Cover - 2017
Bachelor of Science in Management and Law from Eller College of Management – University of Arizona
Former competitive volleyball player
Kelley moved to Crested Butte from New Hampshire in 2017 after her three kids all went to college to continue developing her career that evolved out of 22 years as a ACE-Certified Personal Trainer, Spinning Instructor, Health & P.E. and Middle School General Science Teacher. She has worked extensively with specialties in Pre-Natal Post Partum Fitness, Exercise Programs for Anxiety & Depression, Swimming Instruction, Injury Recovery, Senior Fitness, Behavior Change, Youth Fitness, Sport Specific Performance, and general fitness programs. Kelley has experience working for non-profit, for-profit facilities and Dartmouth College Athletics. She also specialized in Personal Training Branding and Gym Facility Customer Service. Later she joined a radio company to start a small community radio station and bring her Health & Fitness proficiencies to radio. She wrote Health & Fitness features for commercial radio that eventually led to her role as Program Director for KBUT Community Radio.
An avid cyclist, former competitive runner, intermediate triathlete and rower, Kelley joined Synergy Athlete the first week she arrived in town. Now Kelley combines all of her experiences to manage
Synergy Athlete’s Marketing & Media.
When she’s not riding one of her bikes, Kelley occasionally fills in to coach a Synergy Class.
Contact: carriejo@synergyathlete.com
CrossFit Certified trainer (level 3)
CrossFit Kids Certificate
CrossFit Endurance Certificate
Crossfit Adaptive athlete certification
CrossFit Competitor Certificate
CrossFit Mobility Certificate
CrossFit Aerobic Capacity certificate
Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach (NSCA)
USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach
Attitude Nation Level 1 Olympic Lifting
TRX Instructor
Certified Massage Therapist
Fueled by having an Olympic boxing coach for a father, Carrie Jo Chernoff-Hicks started her fitness quest and passion at the age of 6 with martial arts, received her black belt at 12, was teaching classes by age 13 and later became a certified fitness instructor in college. Moving to the Gunnison Valley in 1992, she transferred her athletic discipline from martial arts to the mountains where she began competing in both skiing and mountain biking. In 2006, she claimed the title of US Freeskiing Champion and finished 3rd on the World Tour.
Carrie Jo’s fitness background moved her into teaching conditioning classes in both Gunnison and Crested Butte. She has been the fitness director at Rocky’s Gym in Gunnison, Performance Director for the Crested Butte’s elite Ski and Snowboard Academy, Director of the Crested Butte Winter Conditioning Program, and has taught classes at many other venues in the valley across a wide range of fitness disciplines.
Curious about CrossFit for many years, working out from the main website and visiting other gyms, Carrie Jo knew she’d be involved as soon as a CrossFit gym opened in Crested Butte. She loves the range of benefits that CrossFit has to offer clients from the workouts to lifestyle and nutrition.
Carrie Jo is passionate about sharing her love for the outdoors, fitness and healthy lifestyle with her 2 little girls, watching people connect with their bodies and push themselves outside their comfort zones and find capabilities that they once thought impossible.