COACHES

 

Jim Caskey – Founder and Head Coach

In 2005, Jim was introduced to CrossFit by good friend, mentor and fire fighter, Rob Hole.  From this initial CrossFit experience, athletic background and coaching experience with Team In Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Jim’s vision to build a ‘FIT’ community began to blossom.  Jim has a passion for improving the quality of life for everyone he encounters and believes that through improved health and wellness all aspects of an individual’s life will improve.

With a belief in himself and driven by results, Jim felt the best way to learn was through action.  In 2009, Jim started training athletes out of his garage just like the founder of CrossFit, Greg Glassman.  Jim believes dreams can be achieved through action, hard work, dedication, and discipline.  It is these qualities coupled with his vision that Jim built CrossFit Matters on.  He has a contagious enthusiasm and energy along with a genuine desire to help everyone he coaches.  CrossFit Matters athletes know they are under the watchful eye of Coach Caskey every day!

As an athlete, coach and businessman, Jim leads by example and is focused on challenging himself and those around him to pursue excellence.  This is evident from his own training and how he founded a company that has impacted the health and wellness of Kansas City.  Through Jim’s intense drive and dedication to succeed in life, he laid the foundation, is living his vision and focused on developing a strong team, who are passionate about CrossFit, compassionate for people and dedicated to the company’s vision.

 

Megan Szczygiel - CrossFit Coach

In December 2010, a friend introduced Megan to CrossFit.  She was skeptical of this “CrossFit” that she had never heard of and did one workout to shut her friend up.  After that workout she never looked back.

Prior to this, something was missing in Megan’s life after leaving collegiate sports.  She had ran track and played rugby.  The elliptical and run of the mill weight lifting routine were not cutting it.  She missed the supportive atmosphere of a team and the push of fellow athletes.  CrossFit filled this void and that is why she loves it so much.

The community at CrossFit Matters has pushed her beyond the limits she thought she had.  She loves that CrossFit is a never-ending battle.  There is always something to work on and a new challenge daily.  She is always working to be stronger than yesterday!  CrossFit changed Megan’s life and she loves being able to share her knowledge to help people reach their goals, live a healthy lifestyle and move more effectively and efficiently.  Becoming fit can really change one’s quality of life.  Megan wants to be a part of CrossFit Matters mission to Building a Fit Community and making Kansas City better.  Her favorite thing is to see people achieve what was once thought impossible.  Making people’s lives better is why CrossFit Matters and Megan is here to help with your journey!

 

Dustin Brewer - CrossFit Coach

Dustin has been a competitive athlete his entire life.  Since the ripe old age of six years old, he started wrestling and participating in various sports, including; football, motorcross, soccer and track. Through Dustin’s wrestling career, he won three State Wrestling Championships in high school and he was an All-American 3 times in college.

Dustin received his B.A. in Physical Education from Simpson College in Iowa. Since 2003, he has been coaching wrestling at various levels. Currently, Dustin is both a coach and teacher for Belton.  For the past five years, he has coached the Oak Park High School wrestling team to a Top 3 at state each year.

Dustin started CrossFitting at CrossFit Matters in August 2011. CrossFit has given him new challenges, a new perspective on being “Fit” and new avenue for competition and coaching.  Additionally, Dustin is committed to living an 80% Paleo lifestyle, and enjoying the clean living benefits he has adopted since joining CrossFit Matters.  Dustin is excited to have the opportunity to help train the awesome community at CrossFit Matters!

 

Jen Boyden - CrossFit Coach and Nutrition Coach

Growing up Jen Boyden never played ANY sports….not one. EVER!  As a matter of fact, as a child, Jen was told she was “not athletic”, and she believed it, so she simply never tried.  Gym class was always a painful experience.  Running, jumping, throwing, catching were things Jen approached with dread and zero confidence.  However, Jen was always interested in fitness and health. She knew it was important and subscribed to it in theory, but in practice she was very inconsistent.  Through the years Jen tried various types of fitness: step-aerobics, yoga, pilates, boxing, pole fitness, Zumba, and group weight training; always preferring group fitness vs. working out by herself.  Interaction with others and FUN were always components she sought after in fitness.

Jen first walked into CrossFit Matters on April 30^th, 2011 and never looked back. CrossFit took all the components of fitness that Jen liked, desired and didn’t even know she needed and put it into one big perfect package.  Having never touched a barbell in her life or having never done one-single pullup, Jen was instantly faced with new challenges.  Additionally, for the first time in her life she was referred to as an “athlete”.  With a little time Jen began to embrace the title and the role.  CrossFit has allowed her to be something she always thought she wasn’t and do things she always thought she couldn’t. The things she once feared, she now sees as a challenge and now approaches them with determination and confidence.

The confidence and pride Jen has gained from CrossFit has motivated her to make that possible for others. With a strong desire to support and educate others to become better versions of themselves, Jen decided to become a CrossFit Level 1 coach in the Summer of 2012. Jim Caskey invited her to become a part of the CrossFit Matters coaching team. Jen began facilitating the Nutrition Matters Challenge in Spring of 2012 and then coaching athletes in late 2012.