Athlete of the Month
March 2022

Jenny Janitell
I love the variety of movements, modifications, and room to always improve and grow within this sport. There is something for everyone.
Those who know me, know I have a love for all creatures great and small. I am a veterinarian and practice small animal medicine/surgery at Alpine Animal Clinic. I have a farm background and was raised on a wheat grain operation in Eastern Montana, with ...
February 2022

Trevor Watson
We’re vulnerable yet strong, learn and teach, accept others and their fitness level, and help others stay motivated… the list goes on.
I’m an ’84 model from Miles City, MT. I am the youngest of four. I spent my childhood split between running around Miles City barefoot fishing the Yellowstone River and spending countless summers in Red Lodge driving draft horses and following my gran...
January 2022

Pat Fox
I like being able to maintain a schedule and to work out without having to plan—I can just show up and follow coach’s orders.
I have lived with my family in Helena since 2005. Most importantly, I am husband to my wonderful wife Holly and dad to three wonderful kids, Charles (17), James (15), and Maren (13) . Parenting, of course, takes a lot of time, but is well worth it. I prac...
December 2021

Anna Peabody
Since I have started CrossFit I have seen a huge improvement in my strength and endurance; not just at the gym but with everything else that I do.
I grew up in Maine where I spent most of my time playing outside. I moved to Colorado after high school where I attended school and worked for a lot of years as a whitewater rafting and rock-climbing guide in the summer and a snowboarding instructor in th...
November 2021

Emma Esposito
It makes me feel more capable than what I usually think I can do.
I am a Helena native, the youngest of three sisters, and love doing all the normal Helena things such as hiking, being outside, etc. I am a biology nerd and went to Carroll College for a degree in biology, and went on to do research and receive a Master...
October 2021

Debbie Hansen
However, after meeting the coaches and hearing genuine words of encouragement, I found out the reason why I joined CrossFit and why I like Crossfit…..ACCEPTANCE and MODIFICATION.
Hi! My name is Debbie Hansen. I have been married to my soulmate for 37 years! We were blessed with one son, Heath, and a wonderful daughter-in-law, Shawni! This year we also became Grammy and Papa to a beautiful baby girl named Emory Lynn! Both...
September 2021

Amy Strainer
I enjoy the fact that you actually don’t have to be an athlete to attend.
I am coming up on 40 years old, and have lived in Helena almost my entire life. I grew up being the least athletic person and was always the last to be picked for anything sports related. I was skinny, and in the 80’s and 90’s skinny was all you n...
August 2021

Kari Leonard
I like how the scaling and the positive and accepting atmosphere allow everyone, regardless of ability, to be in a class together and all get a great workout.
I’m originally from Minnesota but have lived in Montana over 25 years. I’m married and have two daughters and a son, ages 26, 12 and 23. I work as a financial analyst at the Montana CSI, which is not the cool CSI on TV, as my younger daughter was ...
July 2021

Jess Osterloh
I do CrossFit because the strength you gain bleeds over to all aspects of life. You push for one more rep in the gym and you push for the respect you deserve at work, it goes hand in hand.
I was a gymnast, that is why I don’t wear shoes. Quick Facts: Age: 27 Favorite Lift: Push Jerk Favorite Workout: Most recently Holleyman in Hero Month Favorite Cross Fit mantra: “You can do anything X times!” Cat’s Name: Murph…...
June 2021

Chad Carman
Of the various gym’s I’ve attended, FireTower has a very special environment that promotes everyone’s personal goals.
Born and raised in Oklahoma, I played high school and college baseball before a 3-year stint with the Philadelphia Phillies organization after being drafted in the 24th round of the 2012 MLB draft. After retiring in 2014, I worked as a baseball agent whil...
May 2021

Ryan Domier
I cannot say enough about the friendship, support, and long-standing benefits I attribute directly to my CrossFit journey.
I have always had an active background from the time I was a kid. It all stated with the typical sports as a child (baseball, etc), none of which I particularly excelled at. I spent plenty of time fishing as well. Through the later part of high school I p...
April 2021

Bret Lian
There is a lot I like about CrossFit and in particular FireTower.
I live in Jefferson City, only 10 miles or so from the house I grew up in in Clancy, Montana, and I work for the DNRC as a GIS Analyst. I am married to my wife, Lisa, and we have 3 kids who are 3, 7, and 11 years old. I stay pretty busy as a volunteer...
March 2021

Kallie Boschma
I also really like that CrossFit is always different and a challenge. Unlike other workouts I never dread it and don’t get bored with it, even though I’ve been doing CrossFit for YEARS.
I’m a mama to one (hopefully more soon!) , wife to a crazy hunter/manly man and I sling skincare on the side. I’ve done a lot of things. Nutritionist, rock climbing instructor, but most recently I was a teacher. After having Dillon I decided to stay h...
February 2021

Fred Geisser
I know I am slowly getting stronger and improving my cardio vascular health.
I have lived most of my life in Townsend, Mt and have been married to Kristi for 41 years. We have 6 sons and 1 daughter and 12 grandchildren to date. I have spent most of my work career at American Chemet in East Helena. I enjoyed playing sports in ...
January 2021

Katie Gates
This was definitely in part to the coaches and people at FireTower being so inspiring, as well as teaching me how to scale movements to meet me where I am.
I grew up in Philipsburg, MT and attended college at Montana Tech. I’m a Registered Nurse in the Urology Department at St. Peter’s. My husband, Dave, and I have 2 kids, Hayden (16) and Maryn (5). We have lived in Helena for almost 8 years now. ...
December 2020

Chris Puyear
Needless to say, we were blown away from the very first class, and have been proud members of the FireTower Family ever since.
I'm blessed to live in Helena with my badass wife (who deserves this way more than me!) and my adorable, tiny australian shepherd Perse. I was raised here attending Helena High, and later, Carroll College as a Business Administration Major. Politics was a...
November 2020

Kelly Siler
It reinforced the need to be fit to do this job, because it can save your life or someone else’s.
I grew up on a small farm in central North Carolina, the oldest of three boys. Each day started with chores…feeding cows, horses and chickens. We spent our summers planting fence posts, stringing barbed wire, hauling hay, etc. Fall and winter were m...
October 2020

Sadie Breining
I like being able to work out with people that have similar health goals as me.
I am an 18 year old that attends Helena High School. I am in the Montana Army National Guard and am involved in many different clubs at school. I will be graduating high school a semester early so that I may further prepare myself for my Army career. ...
September 2020

Kayla Novak
I had always wanted to try CrossFit, but always felt intimidate of the “CrossFit stereotype”. I was pleasantly surprised at how wrong I was.
I was born and raised in Helena. After high school, I moved around a bit trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Eventually I ended up back home. I’m currently a Budget Analyst for the State Information Technology Service Division u...
August 2020

Angie Robertson
I’m happy to say that all my preconceived notions of what CrossFit is and who CrossFitters are have been turned upside down by my experience at FireTower.
During quarantine this year, I invested hours of my time watching ALL the Marvel movies for the first time and I really wish I had a great origin story to share… but I started my life in Great Falls, so there’s that. I delivered newspapers at 4:30 e...
July 2020

Justin Ware
I thought I was signing up for a workout, but got a CrossFit family too.
When I was younger I played pretty much every sport and played trumpet in the UW symphony. Went to college and the most athletic thing I did for four years was 12oz curls i.e., drink beer. I graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from WSU w...
June 2020

Nick Fish
How hard is it to free up an hour a day? Turns out not very. I’m getting more done with work, family and playing outside than I did before starting CrossFit.
I was born in Austin, TX, grew up in Wyoming, and moved to Bozeman after high school for the mountains and the skiing. I relocated to Helena a few years ago for a girl and married her soon after. My wife and I have two kids together: a two-year old boy ...
May 2020

Noah Eshleman
The support of the coaches and other members never fades.
I was born in Dallas and raised in Irving, Texas. After high school I attend the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota from 2008-2016. There I majored in Athletic Training/Exercise Science, and played football for three years. After undergrad I spe...
April 2020

Kelli Carman
It’s like a whole little fit gym family that develops, and there’s something to be said about the people you choose to repetitively get your butt kicked with over and over again.
I was born and raised in Butte, MT. I lived in Helena from 2008-2010 when I attended Carroll College, Missoula from 2010-2017 when I got my bachelors degree in Exercise Science from the University of Montana, and Seattle, WA from 2017-2018 where I attende...
March 2020

Paul Reynolds
I was under the impression that you had to be in great shape before trying CrossFit.
I grew up in Billings, MT playing any sport I could find time for. In high school I focused on football (offensive and defensive line) and track (surprisingly I was a 400m runner) played a short stint in College. I attended Carroll College graduating in...
February 2020

Alexis O'Leary
I love that crossfit is for everyone. Infinitely scalable to every fitness level. It is exercise for life!
I was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania but moved to Butte in elementary school where I went to Butte Central. I was involved in a lot of activities and sports growing up from 4-H, to horse showing, to track and cross country. I even attempted cheerleading ...
January 2020

Amanda Reynolds
I have been a member at other gyms throughout the years, but I have never experienced anything like the people at FT
I have been married to my best friend, Paul, for over 17 years. I have two amazing kids, Rylee ( a Junior) and Kolter (7th grade). I currently work as an administrative assistant for the Department of Corrections. Everyday is something different at work a...
December 2019

Emily Davis
I love how we all support and motivate each other to work hard and make ourselves better each day
Growing up I was always active and playing sports. I did swimming, water polo, soccer, basketball, tennis, and volleyball. When I got into high school I cut back to swimming and water polo, and even played on a USA water polo team. For college I went to U...
November 2019

Payton Netz
I’ve gained many things from crossfit, not only strength but confidence, competition and an amazing workout community.
I’m a 22 year old student at Carroll College, about to graduate in two weeks actually! I was born and raised in Great Falls, and moved to Helena five years ago to go to school and to play college soccer. I’ve played soccer my entire life, and up until...
October 2019

Heather Snyder
The social part of Crossfit is often understated in my opinion. I’ve heard people call us a tribe; I love this tribe.
I am full-time working a mother of two awesome little girls, Jane (8) and Josie (6) and I have been married for 10 years to another goofy noon Crossfitter you may know, RJ. I work remotely as the Director of Instructional Design from my home office for a ...
September 2019

Judy S.
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE. YOU’RE NEVER TOO OLD. YOU’RE NEVER TOO UNHEALTHY. JUST SHOW UP AND WORK.
In February of 2016 I got some pretty scary news with regards to health. I asked my husband, “Is this it? Have I reached a point in my life that I just need to accept this and grow old gracefully?” A few days later, he said we should do CrossFi...
August 2019

Ericka Alm-Thalmann
I can throw around my 250lb bike, instead of it throwing me around
I am 42 and I grew up in Helena. I work at Mountain-Pacific Quality Health in the Analytics Department as a Data Reporting Specialist. I assist hospital staff with reporting their Inpatient and Outpatient clinical data to the Centers for Medicare & Me...
July 2019

Erica Mercill
I am so much more confident and physically so much stronger because of CrossFit.
I am originally from Helena, MT. I went to school at the University of MT and obtained a degree in Spanish and in International Business. I also attended Whitworth for Graduate school and have a Master’s in International Management. I work as a Sales Ex...
June 2019

Kyle Davis
The combination of movements and the feeling of accomplishment from doing even the simplest workouts is what kept bringing me back even though I was much sorer than I had ever been.
I was born in Oklahoma and spent 12 years of my life in the Fort Worth area of Texas before moving up to Montana during middle school. I played High School Football, Wrestling, and Golf while attending Frenchtown HS. From there I went to Montana State Uni...
May 2019

Ryan Larson
Finally I bit the bullet and went in for a on ramp class, was hooked and I never looked back.
My name is Ryan Larson I am 40 years old. I grew up on a farm in Big Sandy, MT. I went to U of M for a couple of years it ended up not working out. I then joined the Marine corps infantry from 04-08. I went back to U of M and got a degree in Respiratory t...
April 2019

Dave Gates
There’s just something about the feeling of Team at FireTower that keeps me dedicated and motivated to grind.
I’m 37, grew up in Anaconda, MT and graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman with a degree in civil engineering. I work for a consulting engineering firm and specialize in highway and street related infrastructure design work. My wife Katie an...
March 2019

Kevin O'Leary
What makes crossfit so awesome is that it is for everyone; the workouts can be scaled in so many ways, it makes crossfit a great solution for anyone
I grew up in Butte, MT and went to Butte Central; played basketball, golfed, and ran track (high jump and 800m). Went to Gonzaga for college and graduated with a Mechanical Engineering Degree. I lived in WA for 5 years, during which time I married my ...
February 2019

Casey Pearson
Suddenly, everything else feels easy in comparison and I’ve become a happier more positive person because of it.
I have always been one of those people that loves being a part of a team, I seek out things that make me feel like I’m part of something bigger, somewhere to belong, and that’s what CrossFit is to me. I’ve always been the most average athlete yo...
January 2019

Missy Sampson
Before starting CrossFit, I had thought I was some sort of “fit.” I was not.
I LOVE CrossFit! I love our box, our coaches, new friends, and (in a sick sort of way) getting my butt kicked every day and wanting to come back the next! Before starting CrossFit, I had thought I was some sort of “fit.” I was not. I have alway...
December 2018

RJ Snyder
I hate to use this phrase, but Crossfit shifted my paradigm.
I was born in Billings, graduated from Carroll, and work at MDT. My 20’s was a blur of outdoor excursions, O’Tooles, traveling, and partying. I married my best friend Heather in 2009. My daughter Jane was born in 2011 and her sister Josie arrived 2...
November 2018

Darlene Rushing
I decided that moment “I WILL overcome, I WILL get better, I WILL not allow my circumstance to take control of my life and my health."
Hi, my name is Darlene Rushing… and I’m a 1 year Cross Fitter. I was born in New Jersey, and have lived in Montana for 15 years. I am the Operations Coordinator for Iron Mountain Inc. Iron Mountain is a global business dedicated to storing, p...
October 2018

Jamie Jespersen
I love the ability to come to any class and feel like I’m at home with my people.
I was born and raised in Montana and met my husband (Adam) while attending Carroll College. We just never left Helena after that. We now have two young girls, I work as an engineer and love to serve my church. After months of discussion with one of...
September 2018

Quinn Holzer
I love having a structured workout that pushes me harder than I would on my own. I also enjoy the small group structure where everyone is supportive
Married with 2 kids (wife Dana, son Kellton (11) and daughter Astoria (9) Quinn grew up in Montana, and has spent most of his life here, with the exception of 3 years in Bolivia volunteering, doing community development work. Living abroad with family w...
August 2018

Barry O'Leary
The personalized coaching is great, the fellow participants are supportive, and the variety in the workouts is challenging.
Barry is married with kids and grandkids and works for NorthWestern Energy as their Director of Safety. Last summer, he was diagnosed with a restrictive lung disease (scarring on his lungs). The cause is thought organic in nature, although they have ne...
July 2018

Peggy Rolfe
It does not matter how young, old, not in shape, to heavy, to skinny you are "JUST GET STARTED"!
Peggy is a paralegal by day, and a wife, mother of 2 and a grandmother of 6 by night. Her daughter asked her in October of 2015 if she wanted to do CrossFit and without hesitation she said "sure" and hasn't stopped since. She recently had a check up with ...
June 2018

Tim Hansen
Tim graces us with his signature "Whoooooo!" every morning during class
Tim is a former Marine and currently works for state of Montana at Child and Family Services. He was introducted to CrossFit by a friend and has been hooked ever since. He enjoy's the variety, physicality and direct coaching aspect of CrossFit. The comrad...