Chandler Spivey
General Manager/Coach at CrossFit Liberate

I spent 13 years as a competitive gymnast before starting my running career in high school, where I eventually ran for Young Harris College. I graduated from YHC with my B.S. in Biology and minor in Sports Studies. Before diving into my coaching career, I worked education camps and was on the dive team at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida and worked sleepovers and mammal training with the beluga whales and harbor seals at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. I have also coached recreational and team gymnastics at Mountain Gymnastics Center, Southern Gymnastics, and Georgia Elite Gymnastics.

My journey into CrossFit was influenced by my gymnastics background. After an injury from running, I was looking for a way to stay in shape for the upcoming cross-country season. My mom suggested I try CrossFit, and I started taking classes when I was home from college and cleared to begin training again. After graduation, I became more involved in the CrossFit community, realizing my passion for both coaching gymnastics and CrossFit. This led me to earn my CFL1 certification and begin coaching CrossFit.

As I dove deeper into coaching, I decided to pursue a Master’s degree. I graduated from the University of Georgia with my M.S. Kinesiology (Sport Pedagogy) and my Health and Physical Education Teaching Certification. During grad school, I was a graduate teaching assistant where I taught some of the PE classes at UGA and I continued coaching at a gym where I eventually became head coach there after graduating.

Now, I teach lower school PE and teach a girls high school weight lifting class at Athens Christian School and serve as the head coach for middle school cross country and track. Despite my busy schedule, I still make time to coach at CrossFit Liberate because I’m passionate about helping others achieve their fitness goals, both as an athlete and a coach.

Turning Point

My journey into CrossFit started during my sophomore year of college when a severe stress fracture in my shin sidelined me for the entire running season. Once I was cleared to return to physical activity, my mom suggested we check out a new gym nearby. We didn’t know much about CrossFit at the time—only that it included some gymnastics elements, which she thought I’d enjoy. She was right. I gave it a try, and from that very first class, I was hooked. I don’t remember the exact workout, but I do remember it included pull-ups and handstand walks—movements that felt right in my wheelhouse.

A second major turning point for me came when I started coaching. Throughout college, CrossFit was more of a fun outlet than a serious pursuit. But once I stepped into a coaching role, everything shifted. I began to view CrossFit as a sport and career rather than just a fitness routine. I became more focused on refining my technique, strategizing workouts, and pushing my limits. Since then, I’ve competed in local competitions and have qualified for quarterfinals multiple times. Coaching not only deepened my commitment but also gave me a front-row seat to the transformative power of this sport—for both myself and others.

Motivation & Passion

I began coaching gymnastics simply for fun and to reconnect with a sport I’d always loved. Not long after, I started coaching CrossFit—initially just to earn a little extra money and learn more about this new sport I was falling in love with. What started as side gigs quickly grew into a genuine passion, and I knew I wanted to build a meaningful, stable career through coaching. Growing up, sports and physical activity were always central to my life. Competing in gymnastics and running at the collegiate level shaped who I am today. Athletics taught me discipline, teamwork, time management, and how to thrive under pressure—lessons that extend far beyond the gym.

What I love most about coaching is being able to share that same passion for movement and growth with others. Whether it’s watching an athlete hit a new PR, nail a skill they’ve beenworking on, or have that “ah-ha” moment in a workout, being a part of their journey brings me so much joy. For me, it’s not just about helping people grow as athletes—but as individuals, too.