Chelsae's Story

Chelsae Radell grew up in the small town of Camden, NY, which is similar in size to Kodiak. Outside the gym, she serves as the Assistant Director of the Alaska Groundfish Data Bank, supporting sustainable fisheries and healthy coastal Alaskan communities through fishery management, data analysis, policy, and research.

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Chelsae brings her CFL1 certification to her coaching position at Buoy 4 Fitness and  CrossFit Kodiak Island, where she shares her passion for fitness with others. She enjoys hiking, reading, baking, and going to the beach in her free time. A diehard knitter, Chelsae is eager to return to her knitting projects soon. She also loves exploring Kodiak's wonderful coffee shops, feeling lucky to be part of such a vibrant community.

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A quirky fact about Chelsae is her adventurous spirit—she quit her job, sold her house, and moved to Alaska to work as a fisheries observer all within two weeks. Before that, she was a zookeeper, a role she grew up loving and volunteering for. Chelsae's family raises and shows Highland Cattle, and she still travels home a few times a year to help on the farm. Her dream is to one day have a farm in Kodiak.

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Her favorite CrossFit movements are deadlifts and back squats, with snatches becoming a close third. Chelsae's most memorable moment at CrossFit Kodiak Island was cheering on an athlete who achieved a new deadlift PR, despite not liking deadlifts. Watching someone push through their limits and succeed was incredibly rewarding for her.

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For newcomers to CrossFit, Chelsae emphasizes the importance of consistency and setting smaller, attainable goals. She advises against biting off more than you can chew, advocating for gradual changes that lead to long-term success.

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Initially motivated by the need to counteract the sedentary nature of her desk job after years of active work, Chelsae now finds inspiration in the supportive gym community and her progress. She loves challenging herself and enjoys telling her fishermen that she could deadlift or back squat them when they're giving her a hard time.

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Chelsae's coaching style can be summed up in three words: "Anything is possible!" She believes in the potential within everyone and strives to help others see and achieve their possibilities.