OPTIMAL GENE EXPRESSION REFORMATTING
O.G.E.R.
CROSSFIT
Optimal Gene Expression Reformatting.
O.G.E.R. CrossFit is designed around an epigenetic theory, which states that external factors, such as diet and exercise, impact health on a cellular level. In turn, a normal healthy cell environment results in wellness when:
1) Cells storing and using nutrients and fuel efficiently; and
2) Genes continue to replicate healthy copies of themselves.
O.G.E.R. CrossFit uses natural, functional movements grouped and combined in very specific ways to elicit physiological and metabolic responses. We focus on teaching athletes proper form while improving mobility and strength, and start from wherever each athlete is in terms of fitness, flexibility, strength and endurance.
THE BOX
THE OWNERS
Phil Simpson
I'm Phil, co-owner and coach here at OGER. I did gymnastics in middle and high school, but got tired of being pushed into lockers, so I started power-lifting at 13. After high school, I continued weight lifting in the Army and did power-lifting competitions. In 2002, I was pulling a 500# deadlift with wrapped knees and wrists and thought I was strong. A friend introduced me to CrossFit, which I thought was ridiculous until I tried it. And, then I KNEW it was ridiculous! Like many, I had my ego handed to me with my first WoD and I was hooked. I started exploring CrossFit and did my CFL1 in 2009, with the intent of realizing a life-long dream of opening a gym. OGER CrossFit is the realization of that dream, where I have the opportunity to share my love of fitness with an amazing community of people who have become my extended family. I love coaching and working with athletes on how to scale movements and get through the challenges of mobility or injuries. In addition to CFL1, I have training in CrossFit Movement and Mobility, and am a USAW certified Olympic lifting coach.
Karen Simpson
For OGER, Karen is co-owner, coach, business manager, community manager, brand maven, house mom, and accountant - aka The Sheriff. Karen has always been active; discovering step-aerobics in the 80's, martial arts and weight-lifting in the 90's, salsa dancing in the 2000's... and now CrossFit. She has a CFL1, and carries training certificates in Mobility and Movement, Rowing, KettleBell Training, and Gymnastics. Karen has done yoga for the past 20 years and integrates her yoga training in her classes, as well as OGER's philosophy on movement and avoiding injuries. Karen maintains a gluten-free, near-paleo diet and is happy to talk about nutrition with athletes. Outside of OGER, Karen is mommy to a fabulous small person, and works at Microsoft.
Gabriel Herrin
I am a Co-Owner and Head Coach here at OGER. I came to CrossFit about five years ago when I met Coach Phil at work. We started working out together on our lunch break and I never looked back. I knew I was home because of the sense of community and the way every modality is addressed and strengthened. Through the years my love for Coaching has grown exponentially. It's my pleasure and my privilege to come to work every day and help my athletes meet their goals with vigor, intensity and passion.
Certificates held:
USAW Level 1 Sport Performance Certified
CFL1
CF Coach's Prep
CF Strongman
CF Weightlifting
CF Movement and Mobility
THE COACHES
Curt Gullan
I come from a diverse background. As a young lad I dabbled in multiple sports: tennis, soccer, football, and a whole lot of snowboarding. After high school, I joined the US Marine Corps Reserves. This gave me the opportunity to go through one of the toughest boot camps in the world. In college, I experimented with other sports such as fencing, racquetball, and surfing. I’ve always just dabbled with sports, but after meeting my talented hockey-playing wife, Kelly, and I’ve been playing ice hockey ever since. I came to CrossFit looking for a rigorous strength & conditioning program that would give me an added edge on the ice. It has now gone beyond just making me a stronger player. It has made me into a genuine human being and a future role model for my son.
Jeffrey Bialos
CFL1
I have been a lifelong recreational athlete; participating in martial arts, wrestling, crew, and marathons. I used to spend most of my free time bench-pressing, quarter-depth-squatting, and jogging for hours on end.
2.5 years ago, crossfit showed me a much more effective way to build useful strength and health. I started coaching in January 2013. I love spending time with OGER athletes as they work towards their personal strength and conditioning goals. When I’m not coaching, you will find me in the corner of the gym discussing olympic weightlifting technique, mobility drills, and gaming todays WOD.
Stephen Todd
I've been crossfitting for 4.5 years, and I currently hold a CFL1. My favorite thing about CrossFit is the expectation that you should always strive to be better than you were yesterday. My favorite movement would have to be the Clean and Jerk. And if I've learned anything about my fitness, it's that it all starts with maintaining a healthy diet. You cannot slack off in that area and still expect to see the results you want to see.
Christopher Welch
In the summer of 2011 I walked into OGER a slight 170lbs. I had never done a deadlift, didn't even know what a kettle bell was and had no idea what I was in for. Over 2 years and 25 pounds of lean muscle mass later, I jump out of bed in the morning and feel better than I did in my 20's. I loved Crossfit so much I decided to get my CFL1 in early 2013 and now enjoy helping people modify their lifestyle to feel as great as possible.
Sara Phelan
In 26 years, my history with fitness is an interesting one. At an early stage I started out playing soccer, swimming and ballet. I decided at an early age that I hated running – I still do! – and I focused my attention on swimming and ballet. By the time I entered into high school, committing myself to both was unpleasant so I dropped ballet and continued swimming through my freshmen year of college. Then I became lazy. I mean really lazy. In the next five years, I tried to take up running on a treadmill in my college gym (that was doomed from the start). I ate lots of McDonald’s and Taco Bell because it was convenient. By the time I graduated college and moved back to Seattle I knew I had to become an adult and get serious about my health. I made up countless of excuses to not try any “globo” gyms and I thought personal training was too expensive. Then my best friend, who had been going CrossFit for three years, talked me into trying CrossFit out. She even went as far as looking up the closest ones to my job downtown, analyzed their websites and recommended which ones looked better. February 2012 is when I walked through the door at O.G.E.R CrossFit, drank the Kool-Aid and became hooked. I haven’t looked back since.
After just shy of two years of CrossFit and being at O.G.E.R., I have achieved more than I ever thought possible; and it is only the beginning. I train almost every day of the week and get anxious when I don’t make it in. I am part of the newly developed competitive team and have competed in four local competitions so far. Recently, I completed one of my goals by taking the Level 1 Seminar and now hold a CFL1.
One of the things I love the most about CrossFit – especially OGER – is that anyone and everyone can do it. If you are looking to lose weight, get back in shape or just want to stay active so you can accomplish everyday tasks with ease – I bet you didn’t know that every time you bend down to pick something off the floor you are doing a deadlift – CrossFit will work for you. If you are a more experienced athlete and are looking to progress further and compete like Rich Froning, CrossFit will do that for you too! It doesn’t matter who you are or what your fit level is, CrossFit will help you become an awesome and healthy individual. Just like me! ^_^
Josh Yeary
Coaching for 1.5 years (Started 06/2012)
CrossFit Level 1 (06/2012)
Participating in CrossFit for 2 years (01/2012)
Competitions: Toys for Tots Throw down @ CrossFit Bellevue, Mt. Rainier Strongest Man @ Rainier CrossFit
Growing up I played hockey, ran track and cross country, and was on the swim team. Later on in High School and through out college I competed in triathlons and other types of endurance events, everything from short sprint triathlons, Olympic distance, and even a half-iron man, a couple off road triathlons, numerous half marathons, and one full marathon.
Towards the end of college and through the first few years of my career I had trouble finding the time to train the long hours required for such events, on top of being a bit burnt out of endurance sports. I found myself like so many others, doing the 3 day a week lifting routine... chest and triceps, legs and shoulders, and back and bi's. Then on my 3 off days from lifting I was trying to get in 30 min to an hour of cardio, and on Sunday I was in the gym again for yoga. Even after 7 days a week in the gym I wasn't getting the results I wanted, and had been stuck on a plateau for too long, I had stopped improving my strength and stamina. Something had to change, because I was tired of spinning my wheels.
Upon moving out to Seattle in January 2012 I wanted to try something new, and CrossFit seemed perfect. I didn't know much about it, but I did know that I would continue to work at getting stronger and faster, plus I had seen the guys on ESPN competing in the games and wanted to do what they could. Two months in, after only working out 3 to 5 days a week, no more than an hour each time, I was in better shape than I had been in years. I've been hooked, to say the least, with no plans of looking back.
Elisa Baker
Fitness had never interested me growing up. I hated feeling out of breath, I hated being sore, none of it was worth it to me. Then one day during my freshman year of college I woke up and said "I'm going to run a marathon". I signed up for the Chicago Marathon and started running. I went from couch potato to marathoner in less than 7 months. I spent the rest of college long distance running and after graduation decided I wanted to try something different. In May 2012, I went with some relatives to their CrossFit box to work out. My first WoD was Murph and from then on I was hooked. About a year later I moved to Seattle, joined OGER and have never felt more at home.
CFL1
"Machine Gun" Kelly Gullan
I’ve been with OGER since the very beginning. I played organized soccer and ice hockey competitively through high school. I played college hockey under a now Olympic gold medalist coach. Which is pretty rad!What I love most about CrossFit; watching others finally get that skill that they’ve worked so hard for, that your journey as an athlete is never over, and anyone can do it! I spent 41 weeks CrossFitting before giving birth to my amazing son. You’ll see my husband, Coach Curt, and I chasing him around OGER most Saturdays.My goals with CrossFit are to become a good coach, stay fit, and set a good example for my son. I feel like I have had the best start I could possibly have had with the excellent coaching of the other OGER coaches, especially Coach Phil, the one insane enough to coach me at 6:30am.
CFL1
