our coaches
Stefanie Hicks
Owner
Head-Coach
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National Academy of Sports Medicine
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CrossFit Level One
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CrossFit Mobility
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CrossFit Gymnastics
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Movement Based Flexibility Specialist
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Coach / Member of 8 Person CFS 2014 Northeast Regional Team
Stefanie Hicks
My journey into health and fitness began as a client. I was always the “gym-goer” and athletic type, but after having my two beautiful children, I found myself very overweight and completely out of shape. I hired a trainer to help me get back into shape and the rest is history. From that experience, I knew the only thing for me was to help people, just like me, realize their potential, inspire them and guide them to a healthier, happier lifestyle. I moved on from being a client to owning my own facility.
I learned of CrossFit in 2008 and never looked back. I started up CrossFit Shrewsbury in 2009. CrossFit has led me into an unbelievable community of people that I am fortunate enough to surround myself with everyday. They are the kind of people who inspire you, those who want to help, along with the ones you can learn from in many different ways, as they are just like you in many different way. But my personal favorites are the people who train right beside me inside this box. The ones I share moments with, smile with, sweat with, the ones who even if they say “they can’t” manage to dig even deeper and try harder, the one who push it to the limits day in and day out… and they still come back for more.
Kareem Brinson
Owner
General Manager
CrossFit Coach
CFS DJ Extraordinaire
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CrossFit Level One
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CrossFit Gymnastics
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CrossFit Kids
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NBC Titan Games Season 2 Competitor
Kareem Brinson
Before I became this fitness and health enthusiasts, I was just the average guy, living an unhealthy, minimal exercising, college party life. I would eat a lot of bad foods and then say I would start to exercise but make every excuse why I wouldn’t begin. I didn’t really care how my body looked, more importantly, how it felt. The sad part about it all, I was very content with it being this way. I was heading down the path that would only lead me to so many health complications and risks at a young age that I was not prepared to face. It took for me to see a picture of my 280lb self of at my 28th birthday party to realize I had to shape up before it’s too late.
In March of 2012, I began my quest and journey to weight loss and better health. While it was one of the most challenging things I’ve faced in life, I was determined to be a better version of me. Setting small weekly and monthly goals of weight loss, trying out different workouts, researching and learning about nutrition and proper foods to eat, and building a solid diet all were major keys that helped me stay to course.
In September of 2012, a friend of mind invited me to CrossFit Shrewsbury for a workout.
From there, a growing love for fitness began. I became so committed and dedicated to working out in that awesome environment while maintaining a solid diet that by summer of 2014, I dropped 100lbs!! While documenting my CrossFit journey through social media, I was inspiring many others to get serious with their health and fitness goals, even getting people interested in CrossFit. It was a great feeling knowing that I was able to be that positive influence in helping others be better versions of themselves. It was from that point on that I aspired to inspire.
I began competitive CrossFit training in the summer of 2014. While finding myself as a competition athlete, I was gaining knowledge about CrossFit, understanding the mechanics and techniques and how it applies to everyday life. I eventually became comfortable speaking and explaining CrossFit to others. In April 2016, I passed my CrossFit Level 1 Certification course which allowed me to take it up a notch and really help others with their fitness goals. I've developed a passion for seeing others strive to be great and it's no better feeling knowing that I am able to help them achieve it!
Bob A
CrossFit Coach
BOB A.
Coach Bob Afanasewicz, also known as “Bob A” is a 10 year veteran of CFS. He wandered into CFS after seeing the lawn sign across from the Red Bank Armory where he plays ice hockey every Thursday night. After doing a demo class and on ramp he was hooked and has been a faithful member ever since. In February of 2019, he joined the coaching staff. Bob loves working with athletes of all abilities and ages and strives to make exercise fun and challenging. His greatest accomplishment is helping to raise two daughters with his wife of 23 years. Check him out at the evening classes during the week!
•Crossfit Level One
•Retired Law Enforcement Officer
Suzanne Travia
CrossFit Coach
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CrossFit Level One
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High School Gymnastic Coach
Suzanne Travia
I started at CFS in 2015. I immediately fell in love with the community and the programming. Being a competitive gymnast growing up, I wanted to be a part of something that had a competitive edge where I would be pushed and challenged. Weight lifting was completely new to me so although it was intimidating, the coaches were incredible in helping me learn the proper form and technique.
On a personal level, I was going through a difficult time a few years back mentally and this place was my outlet and I can truly say that I don’t know where I would be today without the help from the members and having somewhere to go to escape. Not only did I get a killer workout in, but my mindset and self-esteem was improving. I would always leave feeling in a much better place. Today, my friends and family know that I call CFS, “My happy place”.
I am currently a high school Health and Physical Education teacher with a bachelor’s in Kinesiology and have an endorsement in Adapted Physical Education. I also started coaching gymnastics at the age of 15 at a club gym where I grew up. I worked with team girls and pre-team teaching routines and new skills, spotting and conditioning. As I got further in my teaching career, I couldn’t afford the time to continue doing both so I began coaching high school gymnastics instead because I love the sport so much and didn’t want to give it up!
As of now, I spend any free time I have at the gym. I reached out to Stef and Kareem expressing my interest in coaching. I quickly got more involved and received my Level 1 certification. I wanted to help others the way the gym and coaches have helped me. I love the sport of Crossfit. I love how so many different age groups are able to participate in this sport and the confidence and results it brings.
My one piece of advice for anyone wanting to join but is feeling any hesitation is to come in and check us out. That is the first and sometimes hardest step. Put yourself first to take charge of your health. As a single parent, I have learned how important it is to take care of your health and mind. The better I am, the better I am for my family and friends!
David Hicks
CrossFit Coach
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CrossFit Level One
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USAW Junior Nationals Competitor
Raye Marie Scott
CrossFit Coach
On-Staff Nutritionist
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National Academy of Sports Medicine
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CrossFit Level One
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CrossFit Gymnastics
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Bachelors of Science in Nutrition and Food Science with a concentration in Dietetics
Raye Marie Scott
Surprisingly, as a kid, I was not too into sports or any sort of fitness at all. I loved to sing, play the piano, dress up and play with dolls-total girly girl. I tried almost every sport under the sun-soccer, got hit in the stomach with a ball: quit; softball, got hit in the eye with the ball: quit; until I found out that any sport that involved a ball really wasn’t for me. I did gymnastics for the greater part of my childhood, but for me it was more of a social hour, I wasn’t the best, but I had great friends there.
It wasn’t until my Junior Year of High School for me to start my fitness journey. I decided to give pole vaulting a try and I joined the track team at Red Bank Regional. My coach saw my potential and had me in the weight room doing extra lifting to get me stronger. When I noticed I was lifting much more than the other girls, I started to get hooked. I ended up breaking the indoor record and tying the outdoor record for pole vaulting at RBR. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to follow my pole vaulting career in college, so I knew I needed to find something else. I started just by lifting weights at the gym and learning about the body. I dabbled a little bit in everything until I found Crossfit.
I never was very competitive, but I knew from the day I found out about Crossfit, that I wanted to make it to the games. I started just by training at a small gym in South Orange New Jersey. My coach at the time saw potential in me that I never saw within myself. He saw that I had potential to be a great coach and one day a future gym owner. He took me under his wing and taught me almost everything I needed to know to be a coach. I was falling in love with the sport more and more everyday and couldn’t wait to get my level one.
Being a coach has not only let me turn my passion into my job, but it has completely molded me into the person I am today. It has helped me overcome my fears of talking in public, putting myself out there and being LOUD! Every day I strive to be the best coach that I can, and continue to better myself and others.
Being able to be a part of Crossfit Shrewsbury as a coach is such an honor and is something that I am incredibly grateful for. From coaching to working out, to bbq’s and other gets togethers, I have realized how amazing the community within the gym is and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!