Chandler Spivey

I was a competitive gymnast for 13 years until I began running in high school. I went on to run cross country and track for Young Harris College. I graduated from YHC with a Bachelor’s in biology and a minor in sports studies. Before starting my coaching career, I did some aquarium work at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida and worked with the beluga whales and harbor seals at the Georgia Aquarium. I also have a few years of experience coaching teams and recreational gymnastics.
Because of my gymnastics background, my mom thought I should try CrossFit. I was coming off an injury from running and wanted to find a way to help me get back in shape for the upcoming cross-country season. I only took classes when I was home from college and then after I graduated, I got more involved in a CrossFit community. I knew I loved coaching gymnastics and I knew I loved CrossFit, so this led me to get my CFL1 certification and began coaching CrossFit.
Not long after I started coaching CrossFit, I also decided to go back to grad school to get my Master's. I graduated from the University of Georgia in December of 2023 with my Master’s in Kinesiology (Sport Pedagogy) and my Health and Physical Education Teaching Certification. Throughout grad school, I had been coaching at a gym for several years and eventually became head coach of that gym after graduating from UGA.
I now teach lower school PE at Athens Christian School and am the head middle school Cross Country and Track coach, but I knew I still wanted to be involved in a CrossFit gym beyond just being an athlete so I still make time to coach here!

In my sophomore year of undergrad, I was out for the running season due to a severe stress fracture in my shin. When I was finally cleared to start physical activity again, my mom heard about this new gym that opened up near our house. I did not know what CrossFit was, but we had heard they did gymnastics things, so my mom thought it would be something I would really enjoy. I decided to give it a try and immediately fell in love. I don’t remember the workout specifically, but I do remember that there were pull-ups and handstand walks in my very first class, which are both in my wheelhouse!
I would also say my second turning point was when I started coaching. I just kind of went here and there throughout college and did CrossFit to have something to do. But when I started coaching, I got more serious about CrossFit as a sport and not just as a mode of activity. I saw myself improve significantly in my form alone and began to think about strategizing workouts. I also began doing local competitions and have qualified for quarterfinals on a few different occasions.

When I started coaching gymnastics, I just did it for fun and to find a way to get back into the gymnastics environment. I started coaching CrossFit to make some extra money and learn more about my new sport. I fell in love with coaching both sports and wanted to figure out how I could make a stable career out of coaching. I then went on to get my Master’s degree in coaching sports.
Sports and physical activity are something I have always valued growing up. I know I would not be the person I am today if I had not done gymnastics or run in college. Athletics and sports taught me discipline, how to communicate and work with a team, as well as how to prioritize and juggle many things at once. I want to share my love and passion for fitness with others. I love watching people grow as athletes, but also as individuals. I love the “ah ha” moments and watching the light bulbs come on. Just being able to know I made a difference for someone brings me joy.