Co-Owner

Tricia, co-owner of South Tampa CrossFit, has had a love for CrossFit for over 10 years. Tricia realized quickly that CrossFit gave her a way to test her limits and challenge her mind daily.

“There was a time when I didn’t like how I responded to challenging situations, I didn’t love my internal dialogue and I wasn’t confident in my own abilities. CrossFit gave me the tools to change that.”

Making the jump from corporate America to entrepreneurship was a simple decision. After having 2 small children, Tricia wanted a CrossFit gym that was in South Tampa, with beautiful amenities and caring coaches that felt like family. That is when South Tampa CrossFit was born.

Tricia is also the co-founder of Revivery, an instructor-led sauna and cold plunge studio in West Chase, Tampa.

Co-Owner, Coach

CJ Vila has been a local in the Tampa Bay area for over a decade now. He received his undergraduate and masters degrees from the University of South Florida (Go Bulls). Coming from a competitive soccer and baseball background, CrossFit gave CJ the opportunity to push himself both physically and mentally just as he did playing competitive levels of sports.

CJ was a Grid athlete on the 2017 and 2019 Championship Team Tampa Bay Brigade and has been coaching and programming for the past several years. CJ has a passion for fitness and wellness, especially for longevity. One of his favorite things is fitnessing with friends for time.

Certifications:

• CrossFit L1

• CrossFit L2

• CrossFit Weightlifting

Member Success Manager, Coach

Breanna (Bre as you’ll hear most people call her in the gym) started CrossFit in 2015 training for her off season when she played Volleyball in high school. She always had a passion for fitness and helping others to achieve their goals. She started at STC as a summer intern when she graduated college at Mary Baldwin University in Virginia May 2022. She saw the opportunity and pursued her CrossFit L-1.

Bre comes from a military family background so she enjoys meeting and connecting with new people. She’s excited to spread her passion for fitness and healthy lifestyle with others.

Certifications

• CrossFit L1
• CrossFit L2

Head Coach

Michael is originally from Cape Coral and has been lifting weights since age 11. He has been coaching CrossFit since 2015, and over the years has grown tremendously and developed a real talent for accessing his athletes’ abilities and tailoring his approach to training accordingly. He has an easy disposition and a keen eye for correcting movements to make athletes more efficient.

Certifications

• CrossFit L1

• CrossFit L2

• CrossFit L3

• USAW Sports Performance Coach

Coach

Joel comes to us with over 18 years of experience in coaching and personal training. Joel began coaching at Phase 5 Fitness and subsequently owned two separate CrossFit affiliates–Rebirth Fitness and one run out of the Birmingham YMCA. The years and breadth of Joel’s experience have made him exceptional at identifying issues with and correcting movement. Joel takes time to get to know his athletes, their personal goals and limitations, and is excellent at tailoring workouts to meet their needs.

Certifications

• USAW Sport Performance Coach
• CrossFit L1
• CrossFit L2
• CrossFit L3
• CrossFit Masters Certificate
• CrossFit Endurance Coach
• Former US Army PT Instructor

Coach

Lauren spent 4 years playing college softball at the University of Southern Mississippi and has always been a competitive athlete. Her background in athletics instilled in her a love of competition and it was the competitive nature of CrossFit that initially attracted her. With two kids in tow, Lauren found a home at South Tampa CrossFit where she could return to her competitive roots and share her passion for health and wellness.

Lauren loves coaching and watching athletes grow and achieve their fitness goals. Lauren is upbeat and her enthusiasm is infectious. You’ll rarely catch Lauren without a smile on her face!

Certifications

• CrossFit L1

• CrossFit L2

• CrossFit Kids Certification

• CrossFit Gymnastics Certification

Coach

Katie has always been involved in fitness, whether it be soccer, tennis, or cross country. She was first introduced to CrossFit in high school but didn’t begin dedicating all her time to it until 2017. After graduating from the University of Georgia (go Dawgs) in May 2020, Katie pursued her L1 and began coaching in Athens, GA.

Now, she is excited to help STC athletes excel in body weight and mono-structural movements. Outside of the gym, you can find Katie at the beach or playing pickleball.

Certifications

• CrossFit L1
• CrossFit L2

Coach

Jamie joins the coaching staff at South Tampa CrossFit after joining as member in 2022. His journey into the health and wellness space began in 2020 when he took his very first CrossFit class. He was hooked instantly. After completing his L1 in January of 2024 Jamie complete the STC internship and began coaching. Jamie looks forward to meeting new members, as well as making an impact on his community. In his free time you can find Jamie at the sandbar or on the beach.

Certifications

• CrossFit L1

Originally from Virginia, Claire moved to Tampa and joined the gym in 2023, where she quickly remembered that CrossFit is the most efficient way to stay strong, sane, and humble—all at the same time. After dabbling in CrossFit since 2008, she earned her L1 in 2025 and became the resident Friday night coach (because apparently Friday nights are for burpees now). You’ll also catch her coaching some weekends, usually with her son nearby, learning early that fun sometimes involves hard work and a little sweat. As a full-time working mom, Claire understands the chaos of balancing life, work, parenting, and fitness. Her goal is to help athletes create balance, prioritize their health, and lead by example.

Certifications

• CrossFit L1

I am necessary evil. I am fire, I am the night, I am the silence that comes before the storm. You have no idea what I have endured… what I have survived. Your world, your city, your precious light, it will all be meaningless…you think darkness is your ally. But you merely adopted the dark; I was born in it, molded by it. I didn’t see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but blinding! The shadows betray you, because they belong to me! I will show you where I have made my home while preparing to bring justice. Then I will break you. Your precious armory, gratefully, will be all mine. And when Gotham is ashes, you have my permission to die.

Certifications

• CrossFit L1

Allie comes from a small town in New Hampshire and moved to the Tampa Bay area in 2019 to attend The University of Tampa, where she discovered her passion for CrossFit. The community CrossFit creates is like no other, and what has inspired Allie to get involved with coaching. Through CrossFit she was able to pursue her second passion for weightlifting. She wants to create a supporting and welcoming environment to help others achieve their fitness goals. Fun fact: Allie’s mom introduced her to CrossFit, and now they both have their L1 certifications and are coaching. Outside of the gym she loves going to concerts and the beach.

Certifications

• CrossFit L1

Chris is excited to connect with like-minded people through all things fitness. Years of playing tennis and running taught him the importance of consistency and repetition. He learned you can achieve big things with a growth mindset and focused effort. His intro to strength training in high school athletics did not go as planned – he was confused and frustrated by upper-body injuries. Chris stayed curious and knew lifting needed to be a part of his future. Years later, he became a personal trainer to understand his body better so he could help others find ways to move despite aches and pains. When he moved to the Tampa area in 2025, Chris got interested in CrossFit. He loves the variety of workouts and the competitive community. Outside of the gym, Chris enjoys tennis, cooking healthy meals at home, and getting lost in a James Patterson novel.

Certifications

• NASM CPT, CNC, and CES (Corrective Exercise Specialist)