Our Coaches
We are a group of committed full-time professionals with over 30 years of combined experience and 16 years in business of fitness.
Todd Wise - Sport & Fitness Coach
I started coaching human movement at 15 years old as a 1rd degree black belt instructing Martial Arts. I continued on for 7 years taking many students from white belt to black belt and achieving more degrees in taekwondo to grow my teaching. Along the way I earned myself a few national and international titles fighting. In college my focus shifted to my schoolwork and playing Lacrosse. I found myself away from fitness for about 2 years when I was working for an online company. You could say that time away from physical movement showed me that I had a deep love for movement and working for the online company was not where my heart was and I started my journey as many do with personal training. In 2011, I was at 24 hour fitness working full time as a trainer and a colleague brought me to a crossfit gym and I was hooked. After two years in crossfit In 2013 I opened Sundown CrossFit with some amazing staff we grew the gym to 200+ members. In 2017 we opened CrossFit Currahee (now Standard Strength CrossFit) and grew that gym as well to 200+ members, both are still open to this day.
Over the years of owning CrossFit affiliates I have also spent my off-floor time coaching clients in a 1-on-1 program design remotely. This has been for both competitive CrossFit sport athletes and general physical preparedness clients. I started remote coaching first with Brute Strength Training for 3 years and in 2020 we started Pack Training and we now employ coaches of our own in that business. I have coached multiple CrossFit Games athletes, Regional/Semifinal athletes & Teams, and the Fittest 55-59 year old Woman on Earth in 2022. This experience of working with thousands of athletes over the years has brought us here, to Great Wolf CrossFit which will be the final gym in the journey and we hope to grow it here in Rochester for years to come, build healthy, happy, family based communities focused on improving their health and longevity.
Fun fact: I coached Women’s lacrosse at Pioneer High school in 2018 & 2019 (2019 season went undefeated 12-0) coaching High School or College athletics is something I look into from time to time in the Rochester area.
CrossFit Level 2
CSCS
NASM CPT
OPEX CCP
ACE pregnancy & postpartum strength coach
USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach
Eleiko Weightlifting Level 1 (Performance Coach)
NFHS National Coaching Credentials
Merissa Wise - TACTIC Nutrition & Fitness Coach
I have traveled a long road with nutrition personally from battling an eating disorder in my high school to playing collegiate athletics and working the sports nutritionists. After college I realized how intrigued I was about nutrition and despite my rich history with it, I really didn’t know all that much about it. I immersed myself in the field of nutrition and coaching and the rest as they say, is history.
I understand how complicated nutrition and health can feel at times and know how rewarding navigating that journey can be. One thread that has been common throughout my experience coaching in both nutrition and CrossFit is that my purpose is to empower people, it is something I carry into my work every day. Nothing lights me up more than seeing my clients take strides towards their goals.
6 Years Nutrition Coaching Experience
Working Against Gravity Certified Coach
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
8 Years’ CrossFit Coaching Experience
2 Years’ Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaching
Competitive CrossFit Athlete (2019, 2020 Sanctionals Team, 2022 Semifinals)
B.S. Human Wellness Management
Heather Chapa - Fitness Coach
Heather grew up playing competitive soccer, coaching kids in local youth programs through her teens and has always had a passion for athletics and coaching from an early age. After suffering two ACL injuries, and realizing her lack of knowledge in strength and conditioning principles and injury prevention, this inspired her to pursue a degree in Exercise Physiology.
In 2010 she found CrossFit and fell in love with progressive strength and conditioning and performance training; it re-inspired her competitive spirit and her love of coaching.
Since then, she’s acquired a variety of coaching credentials such as CrossFit Level 2 trainer, USA Weightlifting L1, Active Life Immersion coach, and has coached hundreds of clients 1:1 and in group settings from novice to competitive athletes.
She loves being able to use her knowledge as a performance and rehabilitative coach to help bridge the gap between healthcare and the gym; helping clients to overcome years of chronic pain and/or injuries so that they can achieve their goals and pursue a high quality of life.
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
USAW L1 Coach
Active Life Immersion Certified Coach
B.S. Exercise Physiology
Kelsey Fink - Doctor of Physical Therapy
I was always an athlete growing up - gymnastics and dance, soccer, field hockey, volleyball, springboard diving primarily. I eventually turned my focus to field hockey where I played as the Nazareth College goalkeeper. During my time in high school and college I rehabilitated from 5 leg surgeries for my knees and hips, so the weight room became my sanctuary and safe place. After field hockey was over, I was a lost athlete not knowing what to do to get my competitive fix in. That's when I found CrossFit!
CrossFit gave me that safe place to play with fitness and gave me the confidence and sources to branch out into powerlifting, strongman, and bodybuilding. I have competed in all of those sports, but now use CrossFit to stay healthy and fit for my patients and my family.
I graduated from Nazareth college with my Doctorate in Physical Therapy and continue to practice inside Great Wolf CrossFit as Muscle Up Wellness & Recovery. I'm so fortunate to be able to see people on a one-on-one basis in my office and also help people move efficiently and safely on the floor as a coach.
My favorite part of coaching? Seeing someone get just a little bit better and achieve their goal, whether it's a first pull up, a strength PR, finishing a race, or being able to play with their grandkids.
DPT.
CrossFit Level 2 certification
Moe Burkhard- Physician Assistant
Imagine this- little Moe growing up. Family farm that was filled with chickens, goats, peacocks, and 4 dogs. Two trampolines that were found in the junk yard now in my backyard where I would tumble between the two of them without any fear. All the neighbors kids would come over and I would “spot” them and teach them all these drills I’d make up on the trampoline.
Fast forward, I originally started in dance. I would do cartwheels in class and would purposely forget my tights so I didn’t have to wear my tap shoes. Mom caught on real quick and told me I would have to pick either dance or gymnastics.
I grew up eating, sleeping, dreaming gymnastics. I spent a total of 14 years at Victors Gymnastics, then followed that with coaching at Victors for about 5 years. I was crowed New York State floor exercise champion 9 years in a row until I broke my hand being a gym class hero at school my senior year.
I was a multi in track and field at Churchville high school- competing in pentathlon, then I competed in D2 College track where I threw Javelin. Unfortunately, there was not a javelin coach at school, and I was set to work with an athletic trainer who he and I would watch YouTube videos to learn how to throw. Then, I was back to my old stomping grounds on the family farm throwing my javelin in the yard teaching myself drills.
I started CrossFit one year after I graduated from PA school in 2018. I originally knew about it after working with my high schools football coach who was training me at 5am before class for a power lifting meet in Las Vegas. He always talked about this “CrossFit” but I never had interest.
I started coaching CrossFit in 2020- and man, I love it. I love the morning. I love starting my day with you. I love teaching you through moments of defeat and fear. I am here to create a safe place for you to grow. My professional life allows me to help people in the most vulnerable of times and this quickly translates over to helping athletes in CrossFit (think mid wod drunk). I’m lucky that no matter where you find me, I’m doing what I love.
And like my mother always taught me; always leave things (people) better than you found them.
Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant
Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner
Level 1 CrossFit Trainer
Jenn Craig - Fitness Coach
With over two decades of experience in the healthcare field, coupled with certifications as a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, NASM Personal Trainer, Massage Therapist, and Nutrition Coach, I am dedicated to guiding individuals towards optimal health and wellness.
My journey into the world of fitness began unexpectedly after undergoing ankle surgery at the age of 50. Despite never considering myself athletic, I discovered the transformative power of CrossFit in 2016. This newfound passion ignited a desire within me to help others realize their potential and embrace a healthier lifestyle.
Originally from Buffalo, I settled in Rochester in 1997, where I continued my career in healthcare. Now, residing in Penfield with my husband, I've found fulfillment in coaching and empowering others to overcome obstacles and achieve their fitness goals. Combining my extensive healthcare background with specialized training in fitness, massage therapy, and nutrition, I offer comprehensive support to individuals seeking to enhance their physical and mental well-being.
Level 1 CrossFit Trainer
NASM CPT
Licensed Massage Therapist