Brian has immersed himself in martial arts study, training, and teaching for nearly three decades. He takes his training seriously and has continued to expand his knowledge within his disciplines. He has trained hundreds of students aged 5 to 75 to achieve some degree of martial arts and self-defense competency. However, just like any elite sport, such as ice skating, swimming, or skiing, training in only one discipline makes an athlete only good at that skill. Brian felt like something was missing until a friend introduced him to CrossFit. Not only is Brian accomplished in martial arts, but now he can run, row, bike, rope climb, box jump, squat, Olympic barbell lift, and handle any other physical challenge thrown his way. No, he’s not a professional athlete, just a good CrossFitter!
Fast-forward, Brian has owned the number one CrossFit gym in Hunterdon County for many consecutive years. He has cultivated a thriving athlete community that has led to lasting friendships, marriages, and, yes, crazy levels of fitness and health. Brian’s athletes have all experienced that ah-ha moment when they had pushed harder than they could have before or achieved a personal best. ASDC has 65-year-olds climbing 15-foot ropes to the ceiling. The gym boasts 20-year-olds inspiring the 50-year-olds who give those in their thirties and forties a run for their money. Brian reveals, “There is no magic formula for health. It’s simply hard work paired with consistency and attentive coaching that can allow anyone to achieve his or her goals.”
As Owner, Head Coach, and Lead Programmer, Brian emphasizes safety by teaching form. Whether one is experienced or new, all athletes warm up together and practice form as a group. More often than not, Brian will drill his classes on a small part of a movement before piecing everything together. If the form is correct, then the athlete will be able to excel.
Brian, along with Coach Melissa Dannenfelser, donates his time to run a separate CrossFit class for special needs teens and adults from the Starthrower Group based in Flemington. These participants face athletic challenges focusing on core strength and conditioning. Brian has designed this community service program to elicit as broad a physical adaptational response as possible. It is not specialized fitness but a deliberate attempt to optimize physical competence in each Starthrower athlete.
Brian lives in Pennsylvania with his fiancée. When Brian is not at ASDC, you can find him on the mats of a local martial arts academy, off-roading, hiking, mountain biking, taking icy cold plunges, or leading a group on guided breathing techniques. However, you won’t catch him cooking, and definitely don’t try to sneak up on him!