Coaches

~Amy Hall-McLaughlin~

Amy has been involved in competitive sports since she was 5 years old, starting with T-ball and swimming, then going on to excel in basketball and volleyball.  When she started college she joined a “regular” gym and did the usual cardio and weights but never really saw any results or improvements.  Her brother introduced her to CrossFit in 2009 which changed her life forever.  She loves coaching and watching people do things they never thought possible- at the top of the list- women doing pull ups!!
Amy has her level 1 CrossFit and Olympic lifting certifications.  Her favorite lifts are cleans and least favorite are thrusters!

 

~Valarie Shamoon~

Coach Valerie Shamoon (Val) was introduced to CrossFit in 2009 and since has been an active member in the Fresno/Clovis Crossfit Community. In the past, Val has participated in the Crossfit Games Open and she enjoys competing in affiliate challenges. Val has a background in fast-pitch softball, playing for a number of Valley youth club teams as well as Fresno City College. Her background in team sport has provided a foundation for athleticism and competition that she continues to achieve through Crossfit. Her favorite workouts are Met Cons, chippers, and ladders. She really dislikes ”EVA”, Wall Balls, and any WOD over 3 rounds but she does them anyway because PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT!”

 

~Gary Peterson~

Gary has his BS in Exercise Science, Masters in Physical Therapy, CrossFit Level 1 Certification and was the Strength Coach for Madera South Football.  Garys experience with CrossFit is similar to what has proven successful in his career as a Physical Therapist; that blending the best techniques together provide the greatest outcomes.  As an example, strength without mobility has limited value.  Crossfit has opened his eyes in his own athletic development allowing him to reclaim function he believed he had permanently lost.  Through implementing the methodology in his patients and athletes lives he has seen tremendous results in breaking barriers he would have previously not thought possible.  Opening this gym has allowed him the opportunity to show more people how to recapture function.

 

~John Hall~

John has been a CrossFitter for since 2008 and a Level 1 trainer almost as long. With a background in sports such as soccer, wrestling, cross-country and track and field, CrossFit has become the supreme fitness methodology and sport in his opinion. While very passionate about coaching and competing, he also looks forward to learning as much as possible during his journey to qualifying for the CrossFit Games. Currently working as an EMT in Fresno County has shown John how much easier it is to perform a job and live life in general thanks to great physical fitness. The biggest goal he has as a coach at New Era, is to help people reach an outstanding level of fitness and a healthy lifestyle that lasts–all while making it fun.

 

~Erik Lott~

Over the last 25 years Erik has been involved in several facets of athletic training;  Wrestling, Soccer, Track and Field, Football, Weight Lifting, Jiu Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Golf, Snow/ Water Skiing, to name a few.  His theory has always been that being proficient in all areas is far superior to excelling in only one.  He believes this holds true in both life and fitness.  CrossFit trains you to be exactly that; a functional machine.  One that is well rounded, fast, powerful, agile, accurate, coordinated, flexible, prepared, balanced, strong, and gives you the endurance and stamina necessary for any situation.  Erik is CrossFit Level 1 Certified and CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified and has aspirations of attaining further certifications with CrossFit.  Erik is certain that if you are looking to get Fit, there is no better option than CrossFit, and if you’re in the Central Valley, no better option than New Era CrossFit.

 

~Dominick Foster~

Dominick has an Associate’s Degree in Exercise Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science.  He is a Firefighter/Paramedic with Sanger Fire Department.  Baseball was his first love and he played at a very high level, being drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2004 out of Buchanan High School and again by the Colorado Rockies in 2005 out of college.  Unfortunately, he was unable to continue his dream of a career in professional baseball due to injuries.  In 2006 he tore a ligament in his elbow and had “Tommy John Surgery”.   13 months into rehab he tore the ligament again, which ended his baseball career.  After baseball Dominick looked for something to feed his need to compete and found cycling.  Still searching for more, he and his wife Kaelyn, jumped head first into CrossFit and never looked back.  Dominick has seen amazing benefits from the CrossFit methodology and loves everything from WOD’s to the competition.  But what he loves the most is the community that CrossFit has allowed him to engage in.  Dominick sees CrossFit as the ultimate fitness program.  Whether it’s in his career as a Firefighter, or when he was a SWAT Medic with Clovis PD,  CrossFit has made him combat ready, both physically and mentally.  He firmly believes that CrossFit is for everyone.  CrossFit teaches you how to use your body in a functional way.  It is not just a fitness methodology, it is an opportunity to enjoy life longer without reliance on outside resources to perform everyday functions.  Dominick is a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer and doesn’t plan on stopping there.  Dominick is not only passionate about reaching his potential, but also helping others achieve theirs.