Our Expert Coaches

The coaches at CrossFit Shelby come from all walks of life. Their diverse backgrounds give our members a unique training experience. From yoga to endurance, our team of professionals is well-versed in the latest trends and techniques. It’s functional fitness at its finest.

Ali McCracken

Position: Co-Owner & Head Coach

I have always been active! Competitive gymnastics was my first love. When I stopped competing at 14, just a year later I began to coach gymnastics. It was then that I realized that I wanted to “teach” something. I completed a teaching degree at Appalachian State, but realized quickly that the classroom was not for me. During that time I had a son, and I discovered CrossFit. I was instantly hooked to the styles of workouts as well as the community in the gym. I started coaching CrossFit in 2012. I quickly became competitive in Olympic Weightlifting, and succeeded in my goals of getting to the National Level: American Open 2014, USAW Nationals 2015, and American Open 2016. During that time, I also found a strong CrossFit team at CrossFit Spartanburg. We took a team to Regionals in 2015 and 2018. I now have my CF Level 2 Certificate, and have plans to grow and expand with more certifications! CrossFit changed my life for the better, and owning a gym is icing on that cake. My main goal is to “make people better” in all aspects! We foster a strong community, have a phenomenal coaching staff who focus on technique and sound movement, and we LOVE what we do!

Ali McCracken

Co-Owner & Head Coach

I have always been active! Competitive gymnastics was my first love. When I stopped competing at 14, just a year later I began to coach gymnastics. It was then that I realized that I wanted...

Tyna Waters

Position: Coach

Tyna played a variety of sports in high school and competed at the state level in track and field. “Once I got into CrossFit I fell in love with the intense workouts and the results. After joining CrossFit Shelby, I knew I wanted to remain a part of their community. I wanted to be an asset that helped others change their lives for the better.”

Tyna enjoys coaching, motivating members, and improving their nutrition. But most of all, she’s passionate about making people’s lives more purposeful through functional fitness.

Tyna Waters

Coach

Tyna played a variety of sports in high school and competed at the state level in track and field. “Once I got into CrossFit I fell in love with the intense workouts and the results....

Ryan Bailey

Position: Coach

I’ve been doing crossfit for about 5 years and it’s transformed my family’s lifestyle completely. We went from sedentary to moving all the time, as well as eating much cleaner. Crossfit has made me a happier person and made me more confident overall. When I joined CrossFit I got a new set of friends I truly call family. This box creates an all inclusive, competitive, fun environment that anybody can feel comfortable in. I’ve been a CrossFit coach for about a year and thoroughly enjoy helping people improve and get a little better each day.

Ryan Bailey

Coach

I’ve been doing crossfit for about 5 years and it’s transformed my family’s lifestyle completely. We went from sedentary to moving all the time, as well as eating much cleaner. Crossfit has made me a...

Grant Haynes

Position: Coach

Grant played baseball as a child, but that’s where his athletic training ended. It wasn’t until he tried CrossFit that he found a purpose and desire to take fitness seriously. “Before CrossFit, I was very out of shape and never had the drive to work out. But after my first class, I became addicted and never looked back.”

“After Crossfitting for almost 3 years, I felt that I could take on the responsibilities of coaching. I wanted the members to have the same kinds of successes I had as a member.” Grant specializes in Olympic Lifting and loves moving things fast BUT effectively. Safety is always his priority

Grant Haynes

Coach

Grant played baseball as a child, but that’s where his athletic training ended. It wasn’t until he tried CrossFit that he found a purpose and desire to take fitness seriously. “Before CrossFit, I was very...

Matthew Martin

Position: Coach

Matthew found CrossFit through some friends and enjoyed the variety and challenge of the workouts. He has enjoyed watching people grow and meet their goals over the past seven years of coaching. His goal is to help you realize your “why”, whether it be in the gym or out, and meet that goal through workouts and personal growth.

Matthew found CrossFit through some friends and enjoyed the variety and challenge of the workouts. He has enjoyed watching people grow and meet their goals over the past seven years of coaching. His goal is...

Stephen Waldrep

Position: Coach

Nate Stoltzfus

Position: Coach

Nate has over a dozen years in coaching fitness and nutrition. He has been doing CrossFit for 5 years. He enjoys helping and watching people reach their full potential! He also has a dog, his name is Copper.

Nate has over a dozen years in coaching fitness and nutrition. He has been doing CrossFit for 5 years. He enjoys helping and watching people reach their full potential! He also has a dog, his...

Wayne Langley

Position: Coach

As a youth, Wayne grew up competing in his church’s league basketball. He also loved the outdoors spending his free time fishing, hunting, and riding ATVs. Prior to CrossFit Shelby, Wayne wasn’t active at the gym or serious about a healthy lifestyle. But the CrossFit method and superior workouts changed his tune. After two years of training, he wanted to give back to the community and opted to become a coach in 2017. He also received a certificate in Olympic lifting. He loves coaching athletes and helping them achieve a healthy lifestyle through fitness, fun, and community. Some of his favorite things to do is workout, hanging out with family, and eating tacos!!

As a youth, Wayne grew up competing in his church’s league basketball. He also loved the outdoors spending his free time fishing, hunting, and riding ATVs. Prior to CrossFit Shelby, Wayne wasn’t active at the...

Clint Bridges

Position: Coach

With a background in weightlifting, I started CrossFit in 2012 because of how beneficial it was to my career in public service. I quickly saw that I wanted to help others, especially newer folks with no prior fitness training, so I got my level 1 in 2013. I coached at what is now CrossFit Gastonia until I came to CFS (I can’t remember the year but it was within a year of it opening) and have been here since. Level 2 in 2018. Love the CrossFit family here in Shelby.

With a background in weightlifting, I started CrossFit in 2012 because of how beneficial it was to my career in public service. I quickly saw that I wanted to help others, especially newer folks with...

Carolina Dedmon

Position: Yoga & Functional Recovery

I’ve been involved in fitness training all my life. I worked at several gyms in the area and wound up at the YMCA.  There I became certified in many different areas of exercise, as well as an AFAA certified personal trainer. My own injuries however, led me to yoga. After completing my 200 hour teacher certification, it became clear to me that yoga was healing and could improve performance. I have the completed 500 hour certification in Yoga Therapy and truly enjoy working with people to help them strengthen themselves in mind, body, and spirit. I love the way CrossFit challenges every one, because like yoga, everyone can do it, but not always the same way. I love watching our members grow and become like family. I am so happy to be a part of this group.

Carolina Dedmon

Yoga & Functional Recovery

I’ve been involved in fitness training all my life. I worked at several gyms in the area and wound up at the YMCA.  There I became certified in many different areas of exercise, as well...

Candice Linnens

Position: Coach

I started Crossfit in 2015 and quickly developed a passion for the community and the variability of the sport. It is so rewarding to be 42 years old and continue getting stronger and better and doing things I never thought possible, including being upside down. I am a CrossFit Level 1 trainer and I love being able to help people reach their fitness goals safely and effectively. Consistency is key, simply show up and YOU WILL GET BETTER!

I started Crossfit in 2015 and quickly developed a passion for the community and the variability of the sport. It is so rewarding to be 42 years old and continue getting stronger and better and...

Duane Linnens

Position: Coach
I grew up an athlete playing baseball, football, racing dirt bikes, skateboarding, and enjoyed staying active and outdoors. However by the time I was in my early 20s I was overweight, had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and my triglycerides were through the roof.  My doctor’s answer was medication, but I did not want to go down that road.  With my wife’s help and encouragement I began cleaning up my diet and started exercising. Taking small steps in the right direction.  Those steps kept me off any and all medications, and started me on my way to sustainable health and fitness.
Several years ago my wife encouraged me to join her at CrossFit Shelby. I had been running regularly and thought I was in ok shape… I was wrong! I thought the first few classes were going to kill me. With each class I completed I gained a sense of accomplishment. It gave me the competition that I had been missing and challenged me in ways I never thought a workout could. I loved it and still do years later. I am truly in the best shape of my life, and I’m still working to get a little better each day.
I am excited to be part of the great community here at CrossFit Shelby!  I look forward to helping all of our members take steps towards their goals. Young or old, fit or deconditioned we can all come in, have some fun, make some friends, workout, compete, and leave a little better than when we were.

I grew up an athlete playing baseball, football, racing dirt bikes, skateboarding, and enjoyed staying active and outdoors. However by the time I was in my early 20s I was overweight, had high blood pressure,...