Our Staff

Mark Divine - Owner / Head Coach

  

Mark started his athletic career as a collegiate swimmer and rower at Colgate University in upstate New York.  He went on to become a competitive tri-athlete and martial artist during his first career as a CPA in New York city during the late 1980's.  In 1990 Mark left the suit behind and joined the Navy's SEAL Teams.  He was honor-man of his SEAL training class (BUD/s class 170) and served for 8 years on active duty and is currently a Commander in the SEAL Reserves.  

Through our online community NavySEALs.com and SEALFIT.com, Mark has trained and mentored hundreds of Navy SEAL candidates to physically and mentally succeed in the most demanding military training program in the world.

Mark is SEAL FIT and Combat Defense Systems founder and head coach, CrossFit Level I certified, CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified, , SCARS Combat Fighting System level I military certified trainer, holds a black belt in Seido Karate, and senior belt ranking in Saito Nunjutsu.  Mark is also a certified trainer in Ashtanga Yoga.

photo by julieblairphotography.com

 

Dan Miller Level 1 Crossfit instructor, Crossfit Olympic Lifting, CrossFit Nutritional Certified

Born in Kalamazoo Michigan, I grew up the youngest of four boys, so sports and competition was never hard to find in our household. I played many sports growing up, but my real passion from age five was skiing. My dream of skiing in the Olympics led me to relocate to Winter Park, Colorado to train and compete in mogul skiing for much of my young adult life. After 7 years of competing, I became a ski coach and opened a restaurant, Rudi’s Deli, in 1991. One of my biggest challenges and successful learning experiences in life, Rudi’s still thrives today. Despite my love for the mountains, I decided to put the snow shovel away and head for the ocean, but not before traveling in Indonesia, Australia and Central America in 2001. I landed in beautiful Del Mar, California and decided personal training would be a perfect fit for my active lifestyle and competitive nature. Both my certifications and invaluable experience as a coach has prepared me to be a successful mentor and motivator. Regardless of your experience, I will motivate, educate and provide an entertaining atmosphere for your workout.

 Aly Wilier Level 1 Crossfit Coach

Aly has always been active and held a passion for fitness. She spent most of her childhood and adolescence in competitive sports. She devoted many years to professionally snowboarding and worked as a coach/trainer for the United Stated Olympic Committee.

Devoted to CrossFit for more than two years, she is convinced of not only the physical adaptations, but also the mental benefits that CrossFit produces.

Aly believes that individuals of all ages and athletic abilities can benefit greatly from CrossFit. She is passionate about helping others achieve results and accomplish feats far beyond what they thought possible. As a certified life coach and image consultant, she also works with women athletes to focus on their strengths and bringing excellence to the forefront in their dedication to training.

Aly has a B.A. in Sports Marketing and Communication from SDSU.  She has enjoyed a successful career as an Area Business Manager for a Biotech Pharmaceutical Company.

 

 Tiffani Gurene Pearson- Level 1 CrossFit Instructor

Tiffani comes from Texas roots where she grew up riding horses and surfing on Padre Island.  Outrigger canoeing, Hiking, Surfing, Snowboarding, and restful fishing sets a pace that is hard to keep up with.  An energetic spirit, she loves all activities that involve fun and the outdoors.  


Tiffani was introduced to CrossFit in 2006 and received her Level 1 Certification just one year later.  Tiffani  has also attended CrossFit Nutrition and CrossFit Rowing certifications.  


Tiffani holds a bachelors degree in Fire Emergency Management and works full time as a Firefighter.  She hopes that her eagerness and optimism will help others transform their lives to reach goals they never thought were attainable.

 

 

 Glen Doherty Level 1 CrossFit Coach

 

Glen left the United States Navy after serving for nine years as a US Navy SEAL with multiple
combat deployments. While in the Navy he attended the 18 Delta Special Forces Combat
Medical School, the SEAL sniper course, and a bunch of other stuff.   After separating from the Navy in 2005 Glen spent four years working as a security and intelligencespecialist for US Government Agencies in high threat regions to include Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan,and Afghanistan. He has extensive experience teaching and training operators around the worldin a broad range of disciplines.

An accomplished pilot, Glen has his multi-engine, commercial, and instrument flight ratings and is also a Nationally Certified Paramedic. He holds a BS in Professional Aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a minor in Aviation Safety. 

Glen likes Crossfit for all the ridiculously gorgeous girls that workout there, and the fact that its considered OK to talk shit to people while working out.  His fitness goals are simple:  beat fellow coach Sean Lake at every workout.  Glen grew up a dumb jock, and will most likely never be much more than that.  He blew a bunch of years trying to become a pro skier out of Snowbird Utah before freaking out and joining the Navy.  He used to be an avid triathlete, having raced all distances, from sprints to Ironman, completing Ironman Canada in 2004.  However, the spandex became too constricting, so he retired, and now enjoys ridiculing the people he used to spend so much time with.  (What a dick!!)  He hasn't graduated to long, baggy shorts yet, but is trying really hard.  Glen has won numerous non-existent competitions that involve drinking and working out at the same time, and started a cult called 'recreationalism' that most CF'ers are part of whether they know it or not.  He believes seriously in negative reinforcement, just like his dad taught him, so if you want to embrace the hate come visit him at his 6AM Tuesday class.  WOOPWOOP!!!! 

Glen resides in Encinitas, CA, and is currently involved in a torrid love affair with another Crossfitter. 

Sean Lake Level 1 CrossFit Coach

Sean Lake is a sandbagger.  Yes, its true, he is a gifted athlete, and has been keeping it a secret until he deemed the time be right.  Well, the time is right now! 

Sean is a Canadian by birth, a Hungarian by blood, and a Bostonian in all the ways that matter.  After a quickly dipping his toe in the college pool at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM, he listened to one of the many, many, many voices in his head and decided his future lay in the mountains of Utah.  Sean had cut his teeth on the gnarly slopes of Wachusett mountain night-snowboarding in dayglo outfits back in the 80's, so the steep and deep of the Wasatch mountains were easily conquered.  A full blown pro by the mid-nineties, his signature model snowboard is still pulling down 19.99 on ebay.  He retired from professional snowboarding in the late nineties, and shortly thereafter attended the Handsome Boy Modeling School, where he learned that he is so much more than just a pretty face.  He graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Marketing, and was quickly snatched up by Burton Snowboards and brought to North County to bridge the gap between the people who 'know' and the people who 'bro'.  Lured away by DC shoes (and unemployment after a round of layoffs) Sean brought a level of expertise previously unknown at DC and single handedly developed their entire snow line, winning numerous awards and accolades for his designs in snowboards, the entire line of technical gear, outerwear, and most importantly retro-disco-metro fashion. 

Sean was introduced to Crossfit after a week long bender with fellow coach Glen Doherty where both desperately needed to exercise the demons(a play on words, not a typo...f%#k!).  An intense rivalry quickly developed, and the press release for Seans New Years resolution 2010 is quoted as, 'all I want is to beat Glen at 75% of the workouts'.  The oddsmakers are still behind closed doors, but its a long year, and anything can happen.  (If there are double unders involved, bet on Glen).  Sean has quickly won over and broken many hearts at US Crossfit, and can often be seen losing precious seconds in any given workout by taking a moment to check out his shirtless reflection in the glass.  To experience what only living at high altitude for 15 years can do for your strength and endurance, come check out one of Seans workouts.  You won't regret it!!!!

Jeremy Czapinski Level 1 CrossFit Coach

Jeremy is a Crossfit Level I Certified Trianer, Crossfit Basic Barbell Certified as well as an ACE Certified Peer Fitness Trainer.  Jeremy comes from a competitive soccer background were he played Div. I soccer for Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and recieved his education in Business Administration.  He has be fortunate enough to continue playing soccer today in places like Australia and Canada.  Physical fitness is an important part of his life and his career as a Firefighter for the City of Chula Vista.  Jeremy has a great understanding of Crossfit and looks forward to sharing his passion to help others looking to change their life with Crossfit.