The True North Training Team

Our team of coaches is dedicated to serving the Brooklyn borough by forging a fitter, healthier community. Every one of our coaches is passionate, knowledgeable, and highly experienced. Coming from all walks of life, they are well-versed in working with anyone from the fitness newbie to the elite level competitive athlete and everyone in between. There’s not a better team of people to get you to your ultimate fitness goals.

Joshua Martinez

Owner

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗳𝗶𝘁?
I was interested in learning more about CrossFit back in 2009 to improve as a martial artist. I wanted to put on size while still maintaining my speed and mobility. I thought I’d just complete the Foundation course to learn the methodology and the do it on my own, but got sucked into the community and never looked back.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗼𝘂𝘁?
“Helen” cause no matter where you are in your CrossFit journey this work can knock you on your butt. It can also be regulated for a warm ups, casual workout or performed at max intensity.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴?
The connection you make with the community… I’ve worked with some of the most amazing people in my life through coaching CrossFit. Building trust with someone looking to improve their health and well is a strong bond.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀?
Be a beginner as long as possible! Biggest mistake beginners make is jumping into advance programming way to soon, which slows down your progress, and usually leads to injury.

Beginners can make progress on a day to weekly basis, advanced athletes, usually take years to make progress.
Advance programming looks sexy, but I’d do anything to hit a PR!

Certifications:

• CrossFit Level 2 Trainer

• CrossFit Specialty Courses:

  • Mobility

  • Gymnastics

  • Powerlifting

  • Running

  • Striking

• OPEX Coaching Certificate Program

  • Assessment Module

  • Program Design Module

  • Lifestyle Coaching Module

• Functional Range Conditioning Seminar

• Active Life Movement Seminar

• California Strength Weightlifting Seminar

• Outlaw Barbell Seminar instructed by Jared Fleming

Mia Matkovic

General Manager / Trainer

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗙𝗶𝘁?
I was introduced to CrossFit by my high school track coach! She used CrossFit movements to help us become better and stronger runners. I went to cheer her on at a local competition and after seeing her and other female badasses throwing down, it didn’t take a lot of convincing for me to start. 8 years later and I’m still going strong. 

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗼𝘂𝘁?
“Annie” - 50 down to 10 of double unders and sit ups. Simple and spicy.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴?
Seeing progress over time. Whether you’re just coming out of Foundations or you’re a veteran CrossFitter, the best part of my day is seeing you progress towards your goals and moving better every day.

𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀?
When you come into class, I challenge you to introduce yourself to 1 person you’ve never spoken to before! Every time you come in, try to see if there’s someone new you can introduce yourself to. 

Certifications:

• CrossFit Level 2 Trainer

Andrew bakatsias

Trainer

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙁𝙞𝙩?
I got into CrossFit through my best friend. He told me to come in and try this group fitness thing. I had always loved sports, competition, and challenging myself. And that’s exactly what happened with my first workout. 

I remember finishing it and seeing stars as I laid collapsed in a pool of sweat. Instantly I was hooked and is been my primary training style ever since.

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙤𝙪𝙩?
I can’t say there one singular workout that is my favorite. I just enjoy tackling something tough and throwing down with friends!

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜?
Seeing someone have a breakthrough with a movement or hitting a new personal best. Whether it’s someone getting their first bar muscle up or someone stringing jumping up to a box for their first time.Those big wins always fill my cup!

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙣𝙚𝙬𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙨?
Embrace the challenge of the workouts and be involved in the community. After each workout, when you’re tired and beat, dap your fellow classmates up. Support one another, hold each other accountable, and watch the positive changes roll in.

Certifications:

Zack Leverenz

Trainer

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙁𝙞𝙩?
In 2016 I was on my way to a regular “globo” gym, when I passed a CF gym that just opened. I was tired of the routine of Monday chest days, skipping leg day and walking on the treadmill with the incline all the way up for 20 min. I did a drop in at the gym the next day and canceled my gym membership that week. 

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙤𝙪𝙩?
"Nancy” - It was one of the first workouts I did, is a super simple but effective workout that leaves no room to hide. It's more of a mental challenge because there is no reason to stop moving. 

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜? 
Building relationships with people and helping athletes make progress towards their goals.

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙣𝙚𝙬𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙨?
Check your ego at the door! Everyday is a possibility to learn something and challenge yourself.

Certifications:

• CrossFit Level 2 Trainer

Sophia spriggs

Trainer

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 CF?
I was introduced to CrossFit in my early 20's by family friends who owned Trident Athletics, they later became my mentors!

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙤𝙪𝙩?
Either "Helen" for the Kettlebell swings or "The Chief" for the push-ups. 

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜?
Witnessing a member get their first big win! When you see a member get their first push-up or first squat clean, they realize that they are capable of something they didn't think possible and the look on their face is one of sheer triumph.

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙣𝙚𝙬𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙨?
Make it social! If your biggest concern is sticking with it you've got to talk to some folks and make friends. In my experience, the CF community is really what makes a gym great!

Certifications:

• CrossFit Level 2 Trainer