THE COACHES

	Desiree Padilla Owner/ Head CoachIt is truly a privilege, not only to live to but to live well. I began my own personal CrossFit training back in October of 2006, and quickly realized how difficult and rewarding a W.O.D can be. Inspired by the amazing athletes, and coaches around me I knew I wanted more than to just work out. I wanted to be someone helping others understand that CrossFit isn’t only a place you go to have an intense workout, but a place you meet new people. People that just like me, didn’t understand being fit is different than being skinny. People just like me that wanted more from a workout, and wanted to know what and how to do that. It was an easy choice to walk away from a 7 year career in banking and become CrossFit Level 1 Certified in April 2007. I now wake up every morning happy to be alive, thinking of ways to help others, enjoying those around me, and what a privilege it is to go to work every day doing exactly what I love.
Jason J. Padilla Owner/Head CoachJason served ten years in the New Mexico Counter Drug Task Force and was an instructor in advanced weapon tactics, close quarter combat, and woodland/desert/urban survival. The discovery of CrossFit and the community which develops around it was life and career changing. Jason believes in the human spirit and its ability to overcome challenges of the mind, body, and soul. There are few events in one’s life which challenge all three of these aspects. Most events which mirror these qualities are derived from the military, law enforcement, and firefighter communities. It has become Jason’s life mission to bring such challenges and triumphs to people of all backgrounds. Through CrossFit Jason has witnessed athletes of all levels attain goals and perform feats which most would think impossible. It is his greatest joy to help people achieve such perspective of their own innate athleticism. This is attained through thorough and safe training, patience, and a supportive community environment. Jason and his wife Desiree go to great lengths to ensure this is a constant at CrossFit Rio Rancho and are eager to continue their efforts in positively affecting their community.
	Rebecca Ross CoachHaving always been moderately active with dance, karate, twirling, and a few other random activities, my parents started telling me to become a trainer when I was about 17.  A “trainer” in my mind meant telling people how many reps to do on what machine and how far to run.  Not something that seemed very fun to me since I had a hard time motivating myself to go to the gym.  Often times I would trick myself with thoughts like “it will help you sleep better if you go and wear yourself out” or “maybe you could go and buy yourself a new pair of jeans as a reward” but obviously those things weren’t working.

I found CrossFit through a friend who mentioned it in passing.  Nothing more than a word that would normally have slipped by me but the way it was said caught my attention.  I was lucky enought to be living in a town that had a CrossFit affiliate.  So I went, did one workout………then didn’t move for 5 days afterwards.  I immediatly wanted more!

When I moved back to New Mexico, I found CrossFit Rio Rancho where I was constantly pushed, encouraged, broken off, and inspired by the coaches and people around me.