Coaching Staff

Justin Barchus (Owner/Coach)

Justin Barchus (Owner/Coach)

Justin Barchus (Owner/Coach)

Age: 35
Years Coaching: 10
Fitness Background: Ten years ago I decided to give Competitive Fitness a try with my roommate at the time in my home town of Keizer Oregon. I fell in love with the community and the competitive aspect of the sport. I had just finished playing college baseball and was looking for something new to fill the void. I

Age: 35
Years Coaching: 10
Fitness Background: Ten years ago I decided to give Competitive Fitness a try with my roommate at the time in my home town of Keizer Oregon. I fell in love with the community and the competitive aspect of the sport. I had just finished playing college baseball and was looking for something new to fill the void. I walked into a class and I’ve never looked back. Strength and conditioning has been a large part of my life to say the least; I met my wife in a fitness class, I got my first coaching job in the fitness industry coaching competitive fitness, and I met five of the eight groomsmen in my wedding because of the fitness community.
Certifications: Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), USA Weightlifting Level 1, CF-L1, CF-L2, CPR/AED, Mobility Certified-CF, Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science and Kinesiology, OSAA NFHS Certification
Coaching Experience: Portland Pickles Head Baseball Coach, Central Catholic Rams Head Baseball Coach, University of Illinois Football S&C (2015), Regional Team Coach (2017), Oregon City High School Strength & Conditioning
Accomplishments: 2015 Northwest Regionals Team Athlete, 2018 West Coast League Coach of the Year, 2023 Mt. Hood Conference Coach of the Year

Ariel Cachero (Coach)

Justin Barchus (Owner/Coach)

Justin Barchus (Owner/Coach)

Age: 30
Years Coaching: 1.5 years
Fitness Background: Growing up I played basketball, softball and golf. Playing in and traveling for golf tournaments as a kid. I have been on hiatus for some time but have recently gotten back into it. I enjoy giving just about ANY sport or physical activity a try! About 6 years ago I got into CrossFit/gro

Age: 30
Years Coaching: 1.5 years
Fitness Background: Growing up I played basketball, softball and golf. Playing in and traveling for golf tournaments as a kid. I have been on hiatus for some time but have recently gotten back into it. I enjoy giving just about ANY sport or physical activity a try! About 6 years ago I got into CrossFit/group fitness, fell in love and haven’t looked back. Immediately I wanted to get back into coaching again after assistant coaching my little sister’s basketball team. I earned my L1 and coached for about a year. After life and Covid I am excited to have found a new home in Kraken Strength connecting with and inspiring each athlete!
Certifications: CF Level 1

Brooke Klein (Coach)

Justin Barchus (Owner/Coach)

Danielle Braithwaite (Coach)

Age: 48
Years Coaching: 5
Fitness Background: I played competitive soccer through college and continued playing until I tore my ACL in my 30s. I had a lot of back pain and throughout my 20s and 30s and healed my body though yoga. I found Crossfit through a friend and haven't looked back. I especially love gymnastics movements or anything u

Age: 48
Years Coaching: 5
Fitness Background: I played competitive soccer through college and continued playing until I tore my ACL in my 30s. I had a lot of back pain and throughout my 20s and 30s and healed my body though yoga. I found Crossfit through a friend and haven't looked back. I especially love gymnastics movements or anything upside down.
Certifications: CF Level 2, NASM Sports Enhancement Specialization Certificate, Master of Education, Certified Holistic Health Coach, Member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, Diane Wilson Yoga Teacher Training Program

Danielle Braithwaite (Coach)

Danielle Braithwaite (Coach)

Danielle Braithwaite (Coach)

Age: 35
Years Coaching: 15
Fitness Background: I started competitive sports at the young age of 7, playing racquetball. That is where I feel in love with the process of understanding the ground work for overall ability to compete. At the age of 10 I feel in love with weight lifting. I was lucky enough to hang out in the power pit where I w

Age: 35
Years Coaching: 15
Fitness Background: I started competitive sports at the young age of 7, playing racquetball. That is where I feel in love with the process of understanding the ground work for overall ability to compete. At the age of 10 I feel in love with weight lifting. I was lucky enough to hang out in the power pit where I was taught how to over use chalk and build a strong strength foundation. Over the years I played soccer, tennis, track and rugby. Every sport I played I wanted to understand how to maximize training, movement patterns and overall understand of the sport. Over 10 years ago I found CrossFit well living in England. My initial draw was that I was HORRIBLE at it! I wanted to gain the foundation to get better and learn how to break down every movement. Along the way I gained a community that has supported me through every up and down. My favorite part is eventually being good at something I never thought I would do ten years ago.
Certifications: CF Level 1, BS Exercise Science

Heidi De HaAn (Coach)

Danielle Braithwaite (Coach)

Heidi De HaAn (Coach)

Age: 41
Years Coaching: 1
Fitness Background: I was a 3-sport athlete in high school and then played basketball in college. Since then I’ve participated in a variety of fitness activities but found CrossFit about 7 years ago and haven’t left yet!
Certifications: CrossFit L1

Jess Barchus (Coach)

Danielle Braithwaite (Coach)

Heidi De HaAn (Coach)

Age: 33
Years Coaching: 3
Fitness Background: I have played various sports my whole life; basketball, softball, and soccer. I played basketball in college for four years and now coach at Oregon City High School. I have been part of a CrossFit community for 10+ years and haven’t looked back. I was really looking for something after colleg

Age: 33
Years Coaching: 3
Fitness Background: I have played various sports my whole life; basketball, softball, and soccer. I played basketball in college for four years and now coach at Oregon City High School. I have been part of a CrossFit community for 10+ years and haven’t looked back. I was really looking for something after college to fill my love for the day to day competition as well as maintain a fit lifestyle.
Certifications: No certifications but I promise I’m a really fun person :)

Melissa Bielagus (Coach)

Melissa Bielagus (Coach)

Melissa Bielagus (Coach)

Age: 42
Years Coaching: 9
Fitness Background:
Certifications: CF Level 1

Shane Killian (Coach)

Melissa Bielagus (Coach)

Melissa Bielagus (Coach)

Age: 35
Years Coaching: 6
Fitness Background: CrossFit for 11 years. Snowboarding and biking outside of the gym.
Certifications:

Travis Kennedy (Coach)

Melissa Bielagus (Coach)

Travis Kennedy (Coach)

Age: 42
Years Coaching: 10
Fitness Background: Youth sports and functional fitness coaching
Certifications: CF Level 2