Eli- Owner/Head Coach/Programmer
Eli grew up in Holland and graduated from West Ottawa high school where he wrestled for four years. He went to Evangel University in Springfield, MO where he got a bachelors in social science and marketing. He went on to get his masters in organizational leadership.
Eli has been in the fitness industry since 2003. He did some body building competitions in 2008 where he placed in the natural division. Eli has his level one CrossFit certification and his USAW weightlifting cert. Eli opened CrossFit Holland because he loves helping people reach their fitness goals and is very passionate about maximizing his every health potential! He is very knowledgeable in nutrition and programs all of CrossFit Holland's workouts.
His favorite workout is the Clean & Jerk and his favorite food is ice cream.
Natalie- owner/CFL1
Natalie is from the east side of Michigan where she was a 2 sport varsity athlete in high school. She went on to Evangel University where she met her husband Eli. She received a bachelors in nursing and healthcare sciences and currently works at Holland Hospital in the operating room. Natalie recently became CrossFit level one certified as she wants everyone to feel confident in who they are and CrossFit is a huge part of that for her. She has always been competitive and said that's what first drew her to CrossFit. As she recently became a mom, she said that has motivated her to get back into the gym and work hard! When she's not working, or working out, she enjoys spending time with her family and children, Preston and Sloane!
Anna WAtkin - Olympic weight lifting coach
Anna grew up in Holland, MI and graduated from West Ottawa High School, where she participated in various sports. She attended Hope College and graduated with a degree in Exercise Science, then attended the University of Stirling in Stirling, Scotland, where she completed an MSc in Sport Management. She holds level 1 and level 2 coaching certifications from USAW.
Anna found Olympic weightlifting through CrossFit at CFH and has competed in Olympic Weightlifting since 2021. She has participated in national US and UK competitions and has earned medals in the Scottish University Championships, the British Open, and the BUCS Weightlifting Championships. Anna is passionate about helping athletes of any ability reach their goals. When Anna isn’t training, she enjoys hiking around the Scottish Highlands, walking on Michigan beaches, and spending time with friends and family.
Anna’s favourite lift is the Snatch, and her favourite food is sushi.
Amelia- coach/Intern
Amelia is a graduate of Hope College where she earned a degree in kinesiology studying Exercise Science. After having spent 11 years as a track athlete, she is now working towards being an Athletic Trainer. Amelia loves the team environment CrossFit Holland brings to the forefront and the competitive nature of the sport itself. If you hear loud guitars and booming drums over the speakers, chances are Amelia is coaching today.
Her favorite lift is the snatch and her favorite food is anything you eat with chopsticks.
dennis- coach/Content Creator/Outreach Manager
Dennis was hatched somewhere in the continental US, but raised in Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He graduated from Northern Michigan university with degrees in Biology and Community Health Education. He worked many years as an EMT and now tries to help others with prevention instead of intervention. A victim of unhealthy habits, making fitness his goal has helped Dennis lose about 50 pounds and has become, in his words, “as strong as a very young gorilla.” When he’s not lifting or writing wacky emails he’s home with his wife, Kate (a high school teacher) and his dog, Badger (not a high school teacher) renovating an old brick house.
His favorite lift is the deadlift, and his favorite food is beer.
RICHARd- crossfit coach, crossfit kids coach
Richard was born in a small town north of Seattle. His formative years were spent in the epicenter of the grunge era (long hair and everything). He graduated from Dordt College with a B.A. in Physical Education and a minor in Health. His high school and college years were spent participating in track and cross country.
He found CrossFit when he was trying to bump up his strength gains and eventually got his CF-L1 and USAW L1 after falling in love with lifting. By day, he is a K-12 PE teacher at Calvary Schools in Holland.
Richard likes spending time with his family. His favorite workout is Murph, and there is no close second.
JEN- crossfit coacH
Jen is a born-and-bred Purdue Boilermaker (the Big Ten school, not the drink, though she won’t turn one down). She graduated with a degree in Accounting and an obsession with football. She then went to the University of Toledo Law School (So, to answer your question, yes, we have a lawyer on retainer. No, you can’t quote me).
To quote Jen, “I was okay at a lot of high school sports - tennis, cross-country, cheerleading, track & golf. I was even on the 1992 State Championship golf team.”
Jen has run about 25 half marathons since her first Riverbank 25k in 2007, with lots of 5Ks and 10Ks in between.
After getting dragged to her first workout at a CrossFit gym in April 2013, She became addicted and put in about 8 years now. “Yes, there is a weird language and all sorts of acronyms. But CrossFit is for everybody and every body. Moms, grandpas, teenagers, families, your neighbors, friends.”
Jen’s favorite workout is Grace, Helen or Nancy depending on the day and her favorite food is candy -the sugary kind like lemonheads, gummy bears and sweetarts, not chocolate.
Kenny
Kenny doesn’t have a first or last name, but instead goes by a mononym, which is a family tradition (he comes from a long line of Kennys) going back to his great-great-great grandfather, Kenny. He became an CF-L1 coach to better understand his fitness potential and loves working with others who are eager to learn and give it their all. When he’s not laughing across the gym, he is playing competitive discgolf and raising his German shepherd, Klaus.
His favorite lift is bench press and his favorite food is a nice, home-cooked porterhouse steak taco.
Jose- CrossFit Coach
Jose is a madman who loves three things in life: his kids, his boat, and CrossFit. Currently studying Logistics and Supply Chain, he loves playing loud music and getting all of our athletes pumped and ready to hit some new personal records. When he’s finished showing everyone up in the gym, he’s raising his children, working on his boat, and studying day-in and day-out.
His favorite lift is the Clean & Jerk and his favorite food is Wendy’s.
Heather- CrossFit Coach
Heather grew up in Holland, but moved to the Chicago suburbs to attend Wheaton College. Her fitness journey began as a student athletic trainer and step aerobics instructor. After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, she worked as a personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and triathlon coach for a decade before returning to Holland with her husband, Bjorn, to expand their family.
Though endurance sports dominated her 20s and 30s, she accepted an invitation to try a CrossFit class, and was simultaneously intimidated by and drawn to the raw energy of the "box". She exchanged long slow miles of running and cycling for burpees, olympic lifts, and rope climbs. Now a mom of two active boys and one golden retriever, Heather believes movement and fitness are vital components to a balanced lifestyle, recognizing that mode and intensity may vary in life's changing seasons. Her CF-L1 and USAW-1 certifications have helped expand her training philosophy and inspire others to pursue strength and longevity.
Heather's favorite exercise is the pull-up and her favorite food is guacamole.