Coaches Who Live
What They Teach

Dai Manuel is a sought-after coach and lifestyle mentor who helps driven professionals over 40 build the kind of health that lasts the rest of their lives.

His philosophy is simple but powerful: longevity without vitality is just existing. The two only unlock when you find harmony between making healthy choices more often than not and prioritising time for genuine self-care. It's not easy, but it's worth it.

Dai's athletic journey started with 10 years as an active sport climber, tackling both outdoor crags and indoor walls, and even working as a belayer at kids' climbing parties at the local gym (which, as he'll tell you, taught him a boatload of patience). That foundation set him up for 8 years as a Tae Kwon Do, kickboxing, and boxing instructor, earning a black belt and multiple gold medals in local competitions. Then he discovered CrossFit, and it changed everything. That single shift opened a new world of group fitness and a training modality that has forever influenced how he sees results, programming, and what he's come to believe is one of the best foundational programs for general wellbeing, fitness, and longevity.

With 30+ years across climbing, martial arts, CrossFit, HYROX, and lifestyle mentorship, over a dozen Spartan and Tough Mudder events, and certifications spanning CrossFit, ACE, Precision Nutrition, and mindset performance coaching, Dai brings a depth of real-world experience that theory alone can never replicate. There's a difference you get when you work with someone who's 49, has lived it, and continues to live it every single day.

As CFBC's Director of Coaching, Stephen (aka "Sweetpea") has played a key role in shaping the gym's coaching standard and community since joining in Summer 2024.

He quickly built strong connections with our members, elevating the on-the-floor coaching experience and ensuring every athlete feels supported. He oversees all programming and leads our team of coaches alongside Coach Dai and Christie, delivering a consistent and high standard of coaching across the gym.

Stephen also manages our specialty programming and leads the integration of PRVN programming into our group CrossFit classes, the same methodology Justin Medeiros and his team use to train elite athletes. He tailors each cycle to our members so the strength bias, conditioning intent, and skill work actually translate to the people on our floor, not just the leaderboard.

Jason is one of the longest-serving coaches at CrossFit BC, with 16 years on the coaching floor and over 20 years in CrossFit.

He was there from the early days when CFBC first opened its doors in Vancouver, and has been coaching ever since. A dad of two, husband, and realtor, Jason brings a genuine love for getting to know every athlete and helping them grow.

Chris is a CrossFit Level 3 coach and practicing chiropractor who brings nearly 20 years of CrossFit experience to the coaching floor.

His journey started when his next-door neighbour opened the first CrossFit gym in Winnipeg, and he's been hooked ever since. After moving to Vancouver, he landed right across the street from CFBC's original Yaletown location and the rest is history.

With his deep understanding of human movement from both chiropractic practice and elite-level coaching certification, Chris brings a rare combination of clinical knowledge and practical coaching expertise.

Sarah is a recently retired Registered Nurse who spent years in emergency departments and then transitioned to stroke and cardiac arrest research.

She discovered CrossFit 12 years ago at age 54 after recovering from a serious illness that left her with significant muscle loss. The changes in her health and strength have been dramatic.

Now she coaches the Living Legends program, helping older adults new to CrossFit and strength training discover what their bodies are capable of.

As a vegan athlete, Sarah takes nutrition seriously. She plans and meal preps every week, and holds a certificate in plant-based cooking and plant-based desserts from ROUXBE. She has also completed a University of Guelph course on plant-based nutrition for athletes.

She is a member of the Vegan Strong Plant Based Team, a collective of athletes redefining strength, health and performance through veganism.

Ciara is a former competitive gymnast and practicing neurologist who brings years of gymnastics coaching expertise to CrossFit BC. She has a gift for helping athletes unlock bodyweight skills, from handstands to muscle-ups, with patient progressions and individualised feedback. Her coaching is encouraging, detail-oriented, and built on a deep understanding of how bodies move.

Lee Richardson is a CrossFit Level 1 and CF Kids certified coach with six years of coaching experience that started at a CrossFit box in London, England.

A former hockey and fastball athlete, she discovered CrossFit in 2014 and found her calling at the intersection of coaching and education. Her day job as an Elementary Vice-Principal gives her a unique lens on motivation, learning, and meeting people where they are.

Lee has coached CrossFit, HYROX, and Olympic Weightlifting classes, and brings a teaching-first approach that makes complex movements accessible and fun.

Cam Friesen is a HYROX coach at CrossFit BC focused on helping athletes perform when it actually matters: race day, not just in training highlights.

With a Master's degree in Chronic Disease Management, a Bachelor of Human Kinetics, and ACSM certification, Cam brings an evidence-based approach to training that's grounded in exercise physiology.

His path started with basketball, where training for performance turned into a deep interest in how the body works, which eventually led him into exercise physiology, coaching, and HYROX. With 10+ HYROX races under his belt, he races what he coaches and knows the demands inside and out.

Jeremy brings high energy, strong attention to detail, and a competitor's mindset to the coaching floor. With a background in elite sport and years of coaching high-level roller derby, he has a natural instinct for helping people improve their form, find another gear, and get more out of themselves in training.

Yash brings energy, humour, and a sharp eye for technique to every class he coaches. He loves helping athletes learn something new, no matter how big or small, and has a gift for breaking movements down in a way that helps people improve without making it feel heavy or intimidating.

Sophie brings over a decade of CrossFit coaching experience, a deep background in nutrition coaching, and a practical approach that helps people feel better, perform better, and build healthier habits that actually fit their life. She is serious about movement quality, big on safety, and equally committed to making people laugh, sweat, and leave class smiling.

Christie Kennedy Manuel is the operational heartbeat of CrossFit BC and the reason the gym feels like home the moment you walk through the door.

A lifelong athlete, Christie was a competitive swimmer and long-distance trail runner in high school before earning a scholarship to play collegiate volleyball at university. She continued to compete in beach volleyball for years, and these days leans into playing in the sun purely for the joy of moving with friends.

Alongside Dai, she served a community of 800+ people at their weekly Sunday Funday group workouts for five years. That was the proving ground where the Manuels honed their mentorship and coaching, and the catalyst for Dai's Whole Life Fitness Manifesto, which is truly the Manuel family's philosophy.