ABOUT OUR COACHES
COACH & OWNER
SNOW CHARPENTIER
MAT, NSCA-CPT, CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, Advanced USA Weightlifting Coach, CrossFit Mobility, Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach, O23 Holistic Systems Level 1 Coach
I didn’t start out strong. When I first decided to “get in shape,” I did what I thought I was supposed to do. I ran, cycled, trained for triathlons, took strength classes at the YMCA, and tried to teach myself how to free-lift on my own. I even lost 20 pounds since I was in college.
But despite all that work, I still felt weak, and my body composition wasn’t where I wanted it to be. I wasn’t afraid of working hard. I just didn’t know how to train for the result I actually wanted. While in graduate school in Rhode Island and training for an Ironman, I discovered CrossFit and functional strength training. Walking into a warehouse-style gym filled with barbells was intimidating, but I decided to enroll in their OnBoarding and have a coach show me how to lift.
That completely changed how I thought about fitness. Instead of exercising just to burn calories or to weigh less, I started training to become stronger and see what my body was capable of doing.
I earned my first CrossFit coaching certification in 2012 and have been coaching ever since, alongside careers as a high school art teacher and graphic designer before eventually becoming the owner of Iron Haven Fitness.
Over the years, I competed at a high level in CrossFit and Olympic weightlifting, becoming a Masters National Champion and setting state and international Masters weightlifting records. Lately, being a mom has shifted my own training toward longevity, sustainability, and staying capable for life.
That’s also how I approach coaching today.
I love helping people discover that strength training doesn’t have to be intimidating. Whether it’s your first pull-up, learning to use a barbell, working around limitations, or simply feeling stronger in everyday life, you don’t need to already be “fit” to start.
You don’t have to know how to lift before you walk through the door. That’s what coaching is for.
COACH & OWNER
NATHAN CHARPENTIER
PHARMD, Certified International Science of Sports Nutritionist, CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, Advanced USA Weightlifting Coach, CrossFit Mobility
Nathan first came across the CrossFit.com programming back in 2007 when a fellow medical resident shared his positive experience with the community. Nathan started performing the workouts from the website, researching the movements, nutrition and lifestyle philosophies, for a better understanding of the exercise and nutritional science at hand. There were no CrossFit gyms (aka "boxes") in his area at the time, or at least within a commutable distance with affordable pricing.
Fast forward to 2009/2010, after acquiring his CrossFit Nutrition Certificate at a seminar with Dr Robb Wolf and Dr Matt Lalonde and his Level 1 training certificate, he decided to join a local box that was expanding rapidly shortly after opening. The experience was life changing, the rest is history. After several years of training and incorporating the lifestyle habits of CrossFit, Nathan decided to slowly start dedicating more time to coaching, eventually going in full time in 2014, also launching his own lifestyle management consulting service utilizing his knowledge of lifestyle choices in preventing and reversing disease (knowledge acquired through his studies and practice as a Doctor of Pharmacy).
In 2015, Nathan decided to pursue dedicated training in weightlifting while continuing to coach CrossFit and eventually weightlifting and strength courses. The decision was multi-fold, firstly his at the time girlfriend and now wife/gym co-owner Snow, became more and more successful with weightlifting and secondly because the snatch, clean and jerk and squats were a growing weak point to his cardiovascular fitness abilities.
Under the coaching of Dave Lussier, and eventually Yasha Kahn, Vasily Polovnikov and James Wright, Nathan worked his way to several American Open Series regional events, Master's Weightlifting Nationals and Master's World Championships, all the while continuously learning about the history and philosophies of weightlifting training. He now dedicates most of his time to his coaching and consulting, incorporating a multitude of weightlifting variations to his programs to improve strength, resilience, build weak points and reduce injury risks.
His coaching and programming philosophy have developed into the mind set of "train today to train tomorrow", as his experience truths mindful consistency and undaunted commitment as the major keys to success. Nathan also holds seminar experience in CrossFit Mobility, Hybrid Athletic Training, Movement Correction, and Injury Prevention/Management.
COACH
VICTOR FREDERICK
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, USA Weightlifting Level 2 Coach
Vic began his journey into fitness as a wrestler as young as age 5 up through college at SOU. During high school, he competed at State Championships multiple times, placing as a Junior and winning the state title as a Senior. He is a veteran certified in Army Combatives and was in the Army from 1995 – 2011, which included two tours in Iraq; an unfortunate incident of IED explosions in 2010 led to back surgery and eventually retirement from the military.
He found CrossFit in 2015 in Ashland and has since become a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer and continued improving as an athlete and as a coach. Vic has completed his Level Method educational training and will be filling in for some classes on the schedule as well as work with some of our OnBoarding sessions.
COACH
MELANIE BONK
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, VITA™ Certified Sex, Love & Relationship Coach
I love to play and I incorporate play in all aspects of my life. If there was a sport or team to join, I was first in line to sign up. From soccer & basketball to hockey & hurling (look it up), I consistently showed up to play, worked hard and always with a whole lotta heart. I'm the mom cannonballing into the ball pit or cart racing her kids in an empty parking lot. I believe play keeps us young!
I began CrossFit when we moved to Oregon in 2014. I needed to regain my fitness (and my bladder control ) after having my 4th baby. I also desperately needed community after moving across the country to a brand new state. The gym quickly became my sanctuary. A place to take off the mommy hat and empower my inner warrior goddess. A place to connect, laugh and hustle alongside friends. A place where everyone not only knew my name but screamed it enthusiastically to encourage one more rep.
You know, walking into a new place, especially a place like a gym, can be scary AF and our hardwiring makes us default into comparison. Compare yourself against everyone who is there, compare your fitness level to everyone working out, even compare outfits, compare, compare, compare. Caparison can become the thief of joy and this is our happy, joyful place to PLAY. Using the Level Method, gym members feel admiration for their own inspiration and I've seen the Level Method create connection over comparison. I am honored to create a space for all to come out and play.
For my full-time gig, I am a Sex, Love & Relationship Coach. I help individuals and couples reconnect with their natural ability to experience body tingling, heart opening *full body* sensations by deep diving into the primal body, getting out of the head leading to a lifetime of play, passion & pleasure.
COACH
HAYLEY HAVNIEAR
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
I first started CrossFit around 2015 after living abroad for a few years. I moved back home and needed a routine, something fun, challenging and a community to be a part of. CrossFit was all of that and more. After one class, I was hooked!
For work I am a second grade teacher in Medford. I’ve been teaching for 11 years and have a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. With my love for CrossFit and my background in teaching…Coaching seemed like an easy and natural next step.
I truly believe CrossFit is for everyone and it’s much more than a fitness program. Whether you want to lose weight, gain strength, become healthy, meet new friends, combat depression, and body ailments or become the fittest on Earth- CrossFit can and will transform your life! Just like in the classroom- I want to teach you, inspire you, set goals with you and cheer you on as you become the best version of yourself inside and outside the gym.
When not working or at the gym, I volunteer with Youth71five, lead a women’s bible study and enjoy taking my fitness outside with running, swimming or hiking with my 3 dogs. I’ve done multiple triathlons and marathons and am always up for adventures and trying something new!
COACH
ROSE HARWOOD
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, Pilates Instructor
Rose started her first fitness certification in Los Angeles in 2006. After moving to NYC shortly after completing that certification, Rose spent the better part of two decades immersed in the NYC fitness industry as a master-level classical Pilates instructor and personal trainer before returning to southern Oregon in 2022.
Throughout her career, Rose has primarily focused on helping people remove limitations to achieve higher levels of health and athletic performance through a deep belief that everyone, regardless of age, ability, access, or prior experience, is, at their core, an athlete. Rose has completed numerous fitness certifications over the years. Still, she is most proud of her ability to remain curious and open to learning new things from the people in front of her. As an athlete, Rose has competed internationally in Kettlebell Sport and nationally in Weightlifting, and she loves that the sport CrossFit brings everything she values about fitness together in one place.