Coaches

Melody Feldman, Coach
Education/Certifications:

• CrossFit Levels 1 & 2 Instructor/Trainer
  • CrossFit Specialty Credentials:
    • Movement and Mobility Instructor/Trainer
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist)
• USA Weightlifting, Level 1 Sports Performance Coach
• National Academy of Sports Medicine (Certified Personal Trainer)
• Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Pre-Physical Therapy/Pre-Medicine (George Washington University)

The things I value most in training are mechanics, consistency and intensity. During 10 years of immersion in Olympic-style Taekwondo through the international level, I achieved both junior and collegiate national champion titles. Just as important were my roles directing training sessions and coaching young athletes at several facilities. Then, after a career-ending knee injury, I began as a personal trainer at Gold’s Gym, where I worked for five years, and also served as the Fitness Manager.

When I met John in the fall of 2005, he introduced me to CrossFit, and I dove in head-first, never looking back. For me, CrossFit represents the most holistic and organic training program that I have ever experienced. With CrossFit, I am fitter, healthier and happier than I have ever been, and I hope to translate this experience to our athletes in every session. I enjoy the energy of the group environment and love to coach—I love to see our athletes do things that they did not think possible. In addition, with my education in applied anatomy and injury management, I strive to make sure that our athletes train in a safe environment, and work to prevent injuries before they occur.

We founded MPH to give our athletes the opportunity to facilitate their physical and emotional development. We are proud of the community that MPH has already developed, and look forward to continuing to grow and expand it in the future.

John Main, Coach
Education/Certifications:

• CrossFit Levels 1 & 2 Instructor/Trainer
  • CrossFit Specialty Credentials:
    • Endurance Instructor/Trainer
    • Running Instructor/Trainer
    • Movement & Mobility Instructor/Trainer
• POSE ® Running Coach – Level 2
  • Running Technique & Training Specialist
• USA Weightlifting, Level 1 Sports Performance Coach
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (Certified Personal Trainer)
• National Academy of Sports Medicine
  • Certified Personal Trainer
  • Corrective Exercise Specialist
• Physiology and Neurobiology (University of Maryland)

I have always known the importance of an active lifestyle. I grew up playing baseball, lacrosse, soccer and basketball, and I maintained competitive soccer into freshman year of college before sustaining a career-ending injury. Since that time, I have continued athletic and general fitness training in both austere and gym environments.

In 2002, I began my coaching career with Washington Sports Club before moving to another big-box gym, Gold’s Gym, in 2005, where I also spent time as the Fitness Manager. These experiences at “Globo Gyms” were restrictive, to say the least, because there is little about their culture’s ethos—if you can call it that—that produces or encourages health and wellness.

I discovered CrossFit in 2003 and developed an immediate passion, and I have been a meticulous student in its methodology since that time. Following this program produces substantial, measurable results—CrossFit athletes have seemingly limitless capacity, incredible strength and most have physiques that look as though they were carved from stone. For me, however, CrossFit is not just about faster times, greater strength, competition or aesthetics. I train in the CrossFit method to improve our athletes’, and my own, long-term health.

By practicing CrossFit, eating well and living a healthy lifestyle, our athletes will be able to keep living well, moving and doing what they love without restriction, for decades to come. As a coach, I work to drive our athletes, pushing them past their pre-conceived physical and mental limits, because often, the time interval between the start and end of the workout is the most genuine moment of the day.

For more on my thoughts about CrossFit and training, read this.

Rebekka Ellman, Assistant Coach, CrossFit and MPH Athletics Running Team
Education/Certifications:

• CrossFit Level 1 Instructor/Trainer
  • CrossFit Specialty Credentials:
    • Endurance Instructor/Trainer
    • Running Instructor/Trainer
• POSE ® Running Coach – Level 1
  • Running Technique Specialist
• National Academy of Sports Medicine (Certified Personal Trainer)