MATT SAXSMA
Coach / Owner CF-L2
Blake Bressmer
Coach
Blake has played competitive sports his whole life and found that he was just as interested in the training aspect of sport as he was in actually playing it. This interest led him to getting his bachelors degree in exercise science as well as finding CrossFit at the end of his baseball career in college. CrossFit filled both the competitive void as well as training lifestyle he had grown to love in sports. CrossFit became an instant obsession for Blake. Right out of college, he had the privilege of coaching at 2 CrossFit gyms in the St. Louis area. Blake loved being a part of such a wonderful community filled with like-minded individuals stepping into the gym everyday to crush their goals and be the best version of themselves. Blake looks forward to meeting all of the Carpe Diem members and continuing to help everyone dominate their fitness journey.
Ryan McKennedy
Coach
Ryan has been coaching at Carpe Diem since July 2021. Ryan was born and raised here in Springfield and he attended his first CrossFit class in 2012 while attending college at Southern Illinois University (Go Salukis!). He currently lives in Chatham and you can find him working out in his garage gym with his wife, Cassie, out on the golf course, or spending time with his family. Ryan's training credentials include: Working Against Gravity Certified Nutrition Coach (2020) CF-OL1 (2021) CF-L2 (2023)
Joel Backs
Coach
Joel found CrossFit shortly after his college football career in 2016 to fill a competitive void typically found in sports. This quickly led to a passion for training and performance. More importantly he found a strong desire to help and coach others to perform their best. In 2021 Joel turned his new passion into reality when he earned his CFL-1 certification. Shortly after, Joel understood the need of proper nutrition and recovery to help athletes perform at their highest level. To aid with this, Joel earned his Level 1 Nutrition Coaching certification from Precision Nutrition. Through all of this, the one thing that keeps Joel invested in the gym is the fact that he is surrounded by a tight nit community that isn’t offered anywhere else but with CrossFit and its affiliates.
Zach Boyle
Coach
Zach started CrossFit in 2015 as a way to stay fit for his position as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Sherman Fire Protection District and instantly fell in love with it. He loved the functionality of the movements and how well they carried over into his work. The community aspect and competitive nature had him hooked. He continued through his career in law enforcement and often had to rely on the fitness he was building to protect himself and others. After a career ending injury, Zach obtained his CrossFit L1 and L2 and coached briefly at Cobra Command CrossFit in Basehor, Kansas to learn from the coaching team behind games athletes Jacob Heppner, Zak Carchedi, and Olivia Kerstetter. He has continued to coach in some capacity ever since and is thankful to have found his way back to Carpe Diem.
Missy Gee
Coach
Missy has been an athlete her entire life, mainly focusing on volleyball and soccer during her childhood and continuing on to play soccer at the Division 1 level. Post college, she tried fulfilling her competitive drive with running and triathlons, but she is no cardio queen. She was introduced to CrossFit in 2012 and fell in love with the community and idea of always pushing yourself to be better. It’s been her main fitness program ever since, including through two pregnancies, and she is looking forward to sharing her passion and knowledge to help members be the best versions of themselves.
Alison Rhodes
Coach
Alison grew up playing softball and volleyball, along with sampling just about every youth sport and activity offered to get out of riding the bus home. Growing up in the country, it was often well over an hour and half long bus ride one way so dance, piano, cheerleading, etc. it was her love for sports and science led to earning a degree in Kinesiology with a AT/PT emphasis from the University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign. While working on her MPH and MPA at UIS, Alison was a personal trainer and discovered CrossFit around 2011. Shockingly, the Open 12.1 workout did not turn her away, only slightly scarred her, as she still hates burpees to this day. She loves helping and watching people achieve their goals and is excited to be coaching again!
Amber Clouser
Coach
Amber’s competitiveness started early on in life as she was the youngest of 3 trying to keep up with her two older sisters. From the age of 4 throughout high school, Amber was active playing basketball and running track. Sports ended for her in high school, but the competitiveness did not. As she dropped in to her first CrossFit class and drank the “kool aid”, she was immediately hooked being able to compete with others and also herself. Just like Amber was drawn into the field of nursing to help others, she found a passion to do the same in the gym. She enjoys seeing others hit their goals and show their competitive side through classes here at Carpe Diem. No matter what level you’re at, Amber is eager to help each member become one step closer to reaching their goals!
Maureen Faller
Coach / Resident Yogi
Maureen “Mo” Faller has been practicing yoga for over a decade. She grew up in Boulder, Colorado before moving back to Springfield, Illinois in high school. She graduated from Indiana University with a BA in Political Science in 2009 and Southern Illinois University School of Law in 2012. She received her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training from Yoga Alliance at Ahh Yoga in December of 2016. Maureen received her 36 hours in Yin Yoga from Yoga Alliance in March of 2021.
Maureen has been Crossfitting for almost ten years. She understands what it is like to train and be sore. She incorporates her knowledge as an athlete into her weekly yoga classes. When you come to class expect to flush out the soreness while working on core, balancing and stretching. Maureen welcomes all beginners, intermediates and advanced practitioners onto their mats for her classes!
Bree Kovac
Coach
In 2021, Bree began her fitness journey, discovering CrossFit as a powerful and transformative way to push past her personal limits. With a background rooted in competitive softball, including at the collegiate level, Bree fell in love with the community and the humbling nature of CrossFit. This journey not only fueled her own growth but inspired her to want to help others find their fitness too. Having coached in the past, it didn't take long before Bree knew coaching CrossFit would be in her future. After earning her L1 and learning more about the methodology of CrossFit, Bree has found a mission in helping others embrace the "method to the madness." Her degrees and experience in social work help her bring a holistic approach to coaching that balances physical and mental fitness to help others unlock their full potential.
Julie Caruthers
Coach
Julie has enjoyed doing pilates and indoor cycling for most of her life. Needing to add in some strength training she decided to try Crossfit in 2014 and has been hooked ever since. The community of friends that feel like family is the best part. Wanting to empower people to feel confident and strong no matter where they are at in their fitness journey led Julie to pursue earning the CF-L1 in 2023 to help people reach their goals.
Monique Nethercott
Gym Brand Manager
Mo is an Illinois transplant from sunny southern California. She has been doing CrossFit for 4 years, and has been at Carpe Diem for almost 3 years. Mo enjoys bringing the gym together for events, social hours, competitions and Ladies Nights!
Mo is in charge of all of our social media accounts, communications with gym members, photos, videos and our website. Catch her most days at the noon class, and you are likely to end up on our gym’s socials.