We are a Fully Equipped
CrossFit Box
We are focused on our member’s goals and are happy to modify, scale back or increase intensity to achieve those goals. The focus of class each day varies throughout the week to provide a good balance of cardio based classes, weightlifting and bodyweight workouts. We know that variety is key to increasing your overall fitness and take that into account when programming for our members.
MEET OUR
Fully Qualified Staff
Fitness is a game of longevity – the more consistently you can get to class and the more variety you can incorporate into your routine, the more formidable you become. We love seeing our members look back at not just months, but years of results and the true transformations they see when they commit to a routine of consistency and variety.
Laurie Fish, Owner
ABOUT LAURIE
Laurie has been in the fitness industry for over 20 years. She started out in Minnesota graduating with a degree in Sport Science and beginning her fitness career doing personal training as well as competing in fitness and bodybuilding competitions. She soon realized that CrossFit is A LOT more fun (and you can eat more too!) She took her first class in 2006 and immediately knew she wanted to open a CrossFit gym. Primal Energy started out as workouts in area parks and slowly evolved over the years to our current space in SE Portland with a gym full of members and coaches that are passionate about CrossFit and helping others find out what they are capable of as well building a community of close friends that support each other in and out of the gym.
Best advice for someone new to CrossFit: No one woke up and magically new how to do CrossFit. Remember that every single CrossFitter you see had a first day too.
Favorite movie: Tommy Boy
Favorite artist: Paul Simon
If you lived on Sesame Street, who would you like to be your neighbor? Cookie Monster. Do I even need to say why?
Pet peeve: People cracking their knuckles.
Joey Arnold, Head Coach
ABOUT JOEY
Joey Arnold is a happily married father of Elek, Oliver and Stella (she’s a cat). He is a CFL2 trainer and introduced to strength training at age 12 and knew immediately this was his calling. Focusing on football and track in high school years, the fascination for strength training was always there.
Joey stumbled upon CrossFit and something clicked. That was it. Since then, Joey was a 4 time regional competitor, has competed in powerlifting, olympic weight lifting, completed the spartan race trifecta, multiple triathlons and is currently studying for his level 3.
“My passion for this wakes me up in the morning, I believe fitness is fun and for everyone. When you come try a class, I believe you will feel the same way. See you in the gym”
Best advice for someone new to CrossFit: Just show up!
Favorite healthy food: Steak and Asparagus
Favorite not so healthy food: Nachos!
Secret talent or stupid human trick: I can get ANY house cat to be my friend
What’s the best piece of advice you have been given? You can only control two things in life: Your attitude and your effort
Rebecca Davis
ABOUT REBECCA
Rebecca finally entered a CrossFit gym in 2015, about 5 years after she first considered going, and fell in love with the intensity, weightlifting, and the community. She holds her CFL1, NASM, CES and an MA. Rebecca is also a therapist working in her private practice, Altered. She also runs Artic LLC (antiracist, trauma-informed care). which is devoted to teaching and guiding service organizations and individuals in centering the experiences of Black and brown folx as the focal point of healing.
Your advice for someone thinking of beginning CrossFit: Just begin! You’ll never have another first day, so even if the first day is daunting or overwhelming, you’ll only do it once.
Secret talent or stupid human trick: opera singing (true story)
Favorite song: September by Earth, Wind, + Fire OR What a Fool Believes by The Doobie Brothers
Favorite movie: Captain America: The Winter Soldier
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? Nothing someone else says or does is ever about you, no matter what they tell you. A person’s behavior is about them (including yours and mine!)
Tyler Baca, Coach and Physical Therapist
ABOUT TYLER
Tyler lives by the idea of promoting an “active and balanced lifestyle.” During his years at the University of Oregon, Tyler became fascinated with body mechanics and exercise science. He worked with students and community members in Oregon as a certified personal trainer as he obtained his Bachelor’s in Human Physiology. Tyler now is furthered his pursuit of optimizing human strength and movement by working towards a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Southern California. He is a believer that there is great opportunity for the marriage of the functional movements learned in the CrossFit gym and the prevention of rehabilitation of injury. Tyler’s emphasis in coaching is to help everyone understand their full physical capabilities in an engaging and safe manner.
Your advice for someone thinking of beginning CrossFit: Enjoy the opportunity to learn something new and make new friends!
If you were an animal, what would you be? A dog because I have relentless energy and smile a lot.
Which Disney character are you most like? Tarzan
Favorite not so healthy dessert: Tillamook ice cream
What’s the best piece of advice you have been given? “You don’t have to be perfect to get great results”
Katie King, Coach and Nutrition Coach
ABOUT KATIE
Katie fell in love with CrossFit over 4 years ago and haven’t looked back. As a former collegiate athlete, physical activity and nutrition has heavily influenced her life. CrossFit provided her with the supportive community and accountability she craved when she left the environment of team sports. Katie believes CrossFit is for everyone and teaches a foundation of functional fitness crucial to living a healthy, independent lifestyle. She loves working with individual clients as well as groups and seeing the confidence developed through consistent effort and pushing yourself beyond what you thought capable. Katie has her CrossFit L1 and NASM certification as well as a Certified Precision Nutrition Coach.
Your advice for someone thinking of beginning CrossFit: Trust the process and jump in with both feet! You might have doubts – whether they stem from not seeing results quickly or struggling to master movement – trust that this works for lasting change in your body composition and your mindset. The people you meet through your CrossFit space will be some of the most supportive and fun allies you’ll encounter. They all want you to succeed because they were all exactly where you were when they started.
Favorite movie: Miss Congeniality, and has been since I was about 13. Who doesn’t love Gracie Lou Freebush?!
Which Disney character are you most like? Hmm, maybe Tinkerbell? Quiet but sassy and needs attention ha!
Pet peeve: stuff on the floor (hair, food..) – I don’t like things sticking to my feet when I walk around.
What’s the best piece of advice you have been given? My mom gave me a letter and ended it with “remember to walk the beach.” That stuck with me. We need to remember to make time for little moments to connect – with ourselves, with nature, with those in our lives. The world is so much bigger than what’s happening in our little bubble.