Meet Our Team
Shelley Pearson
Affiliate Owner
CrossFit Level 2
USAW L2
I started CrossFit in October of 2017, at a time when I was in the worst shape of my life. What I quickly discovered was more than just a workout — it was a supportive and uplifting community that made me excited to show up every day. I knew I had found something special.
By the end of 2021, I felt a strong desire to help others experience what I had — even those who didn’t feel “qualified” to start. I began coaching and never looked back. In 2022, I took the leap and became an affiliate owner.
Every day, I look forward to celebrating wins with our members and walking with them through the tough moments. I’m living proof that CrossFit is for any and every fitness level. It changed my life, and now I’m grateful for the chance to help others fall in love with fitness just like I did.
Cliff Keller
Since retiring from Army Special Forces in 2017, my overall fitness goals are centered on enjoying a dynamic lifestyle and participating in a wide range of high-energy activities with my friends and family for many years to come. Along these lines, my training focus has shifted towards improving durability and pursuing sustainable performance goals as I get older (though not always wiser). I have been very fortunate to work with some of the world’s best tactical athletes and trainers, and I look forward to working with you! -Ps144-
Certifications
CrossFit Level 1
John Chambers
My name is John Chambers. I have been in fitness for over 10 years teaching many different styles of exercise, and have been Personal training for 3 years. I am also veteran of the United States Air Force, and served stateside and abroad for 8 years. I started training myself with CrossFit off and on for about 10 years now. CrossFit has helped me tremendously with my strength, coordination, agility and mobility. With all of the success that I have found with CrossFit I became a Level 1 Trainer, and now I get to help others achieve their fitness goals. CrossFit is for everyone!
Certifications
CrossFit Level 1
Jenn Pardue
In the summer of 2012 Jenn had found herself 65 pounds overweight and incredibly unhealthy. She started CrossFit in a friends garage as a way to try and lose some weight and get healthy. CrossFit and nutrition became a passion that changed her life! Jenn lost close to 70 pounds and hasn’t looked back. In 2015, Jenn got her CFL1 because she wanted to share with others her newfound passion. She has now worked as a coach for 9 years. Jenn has experience in coaching CrossFit group classes, CrossFit kids, nutrition, and personal training. Jenn also teaches and tutors high school math but is taking a year off to spend time with her 2 kids, Asher and Isaac. She loves spending time outdoors and being with her family.
jana White
Fischer Pearson
Josh Burke
NASM Personal Trainer
Hello everyone my name is Josh Burke. I am a graduate from Appalachian State University, a NASM certified personal trainer and a CrossFit Level 1 coach. I played baseball and basketball my whole life growing up and fell in love with the process of getting better and competing, on and off the field. Once my playing days were done, that passion was directed towards the gym and fitness. I have experience in a variety of training disciplines, mostly focusing on power lifting, Olympic lifting, and endurance training. Throughout my life I have been blessed to have been around many great coaches and mentors that helped push me to achieve things I didn’t think were possible and now I would love to share what I have learned a long the way to help you achieve your goals and foster a better mental and physical well-being.
David Slabaugh
CFL2 Coach
David’s been coaching since the late 80s—back when headbands were neon, short shorts were mandatory, and “high tech” meant a Walkman that didn’t skip. After decades of making sure the U.S. Navy was ship-shape as a Command Fitness Coordinator, he traded his dress whites for sweat-wicking tees and never looked back.
Retiring in 2007 just gave him more time to find new ways to make people move. He dove headfirst into CrossFit in 2008, grabbed his Kettlebell and Level 1 certs, and has been “embracing the suck” ever since. Now a Level 2 Coach at CrossFit Fuquay Varina, David has officially seen it all—from the birth of the burpee to the evolution of the modern barbell.
His coaching philosophy? He’s a “fitness whisperer” with a heart of gold and a whistle he’s not afraid to use. He specializes in:
Ancient Wisdom: 30+ years of personal training means he knows exactly why your knee is making that clicking sound.
Military Precision: He’ll meet you where you are, but he’s probably going to help you march a little further than you planned.
Aggressive Inclusivity: Whether you’re an elite athlete or just trying to get off the couch without making a sound effect, David’s got a scale and a smile for you.
Adaptive Expertise: Proven success in building resilience, readiness, and well-being without the drill sergeant screaming (mostly).