About Us
WE HAVE ONE GOAL:
TO BE THE GYM YOU NEED
Our Mission
Our mission is to enhance quality of life by empowering members to reach their fitness goals ; committed to creating a welcoming all-inclusive environment that supports members in enhancing their health, wellness and vitality.
Our Guarantee
Our vision is to be the premier health and wellness facility providing fitness centered on the whole-health and well-being of our community and our region. We will be known for an exceptional member experience, with the highest quality fitness services.
MEET OUR
Fully Qualified Instructors
Here at NCFIT San Marcos, you’ll ignite your inner fire, fueled by expert instruction as well as physical, nutritional and mental support. Our caring coaches and super-friendly community is full of all the enthusiasm, inspiration and motivation you’ll need. Whether you’re a newbie or experienced, our team lives to help you push forward toward your maximum potential!
Amy Nguyen
Coach
ABOUT AMY
Amy Nguyen has been involved in functional training and fitness since 2013. She believes at the very foundation of coaching; the most important thing is the people. She feels personally invested in each individual and truly cares about helping them reach their goals. “I have always found my joy and passion in the personal connection with athletes.”
Amy’s athletic background includes field hockey throughout her high school years. Before she discovered functional fitness, she was an avid recreational runner, completing half marathons, marathons and an ultra-run. When she took her first group fitness class she felt like she found the one thing she was always missing. “Being surrounded by such a great sense of community and being able to push myself to my physical and mental limits, it was love at first wod.”
In her spare time, Amy loves being outdoors-hiking and camping, reading, calligraphy, and being a crazy cat lady. She is currently in SDSU’s Food & Nutrition program and working toward her goal of becoming a registered dietitian.
CERTIFICATIONS:
CrossFit Level 1
CrossFit Level 2
CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting
CrossFit Rowing
Functional Gymnastics Trainer, CrossFit preferred course
B.S. Foods and Nutrition
Precision Nutrition Level 1
Ashley Cherubini
Head Coach
ABOUT ASHLEY
Ashley Cherubini is a Coach for Life and has been CrossFitting for seven years. She specializes in corrective exercise—particularly posterior chain and nutrition coaching. “I am also looking into getting BirthFit Certified as well,” she says.
She especially enjoys helping people push past their mental barriers, to do the things they thought they could not do. “I am passionate about helping others achieve a better quality of life through fitness. Becoming healthy and fit can be a huge lifestyle change, and at times overwhelming with all there is to learn. Being there to help and encourage someone along their journey, and watch them achieve their goals is the most rewarding feeling!”
Ashley grew up playing travel soccer through middle school and parts of high school. “I also competed in cross country and track my freshman to junior years,” she says. “After graduation, I moved out of Big Bear to go to a community college. Between the long days of school, followed by working nights at restaurant job to pay for school, my health and fitness kind of took a back burner. I was always stressed out, eating fast food, not getting enough sleep… it was reflected in my grades and on the scale (the ‘Freshman Fifteen’ is real). Then I met my friend Patrick; he mentioned that he did CrossFit, and that I should come workout with him and his roommate. Tried one of his workouts, with Dumbbell thrusters and rowing for calories. I definitely thought I was going to die, but I LOVED it!” She became a coach after marrying Patrick’s roommate.
Ashley’s latest passion is Obstacle Course Training. “I did my first Spartan race in January, and have another one coming up in October. I’ve been doing some bouldering lately as well, because I want to try out for American Ninja Warrior next year. I love beach days, getting some sun with a good book or podcast to listen too. Also love to shop, and hang out with my sweet dog, Tyson. Always down for a good craft cocktail and good company!”
CERTIFICATIONS:
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist from National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Level 2 Certified CrossFit Coach
B.S. Kinesiology with Emphasis in Applied Exercise Science
Functional Gymnastics Trainer, CrossFit preferred course
Patrick Mara
Coach
ABOUT PATRICK
Patrick grew up in a military family, moving all over the country as a kid. The only thing constant is that he could never sit still. After experimenting with baseball and soccer; he eventually fell in love with football, hockey, and lacrosse once he realized he liked running into other people at full speed. It was during this time in high school he learned the importance of the weight room, especially being an undersized athlete for almost all the sports he played.
Once he moved onto college he studied kinesiology, “the science of human movement”, after being bored to death in his first two majors. He was fascinated by the ability of the human body to positively adapt through exercise and proper nutrition. During his junior year, he heard about this underground exercise program being used by navy seals called CrossFit, and right after trying it was instantly hooked. Never had he experienced a program that was both so challenging, and heavily rooted in the scientific principles he was learning about in the classroom.
Since graduating Patrick has worked full time coaching people of all backgrounds and with many different fitness goals. He has a true passion for working with high school and college athletes to develop the highest level of sports performance possible, but also loves introducing adults to fitness for the first time. Over the past 6 years he has worked with athletes in almost every sport, professional MMA fighters, women going through their first pregnancy, and adults from all walks of life who just want to learn to love their bodies again.
He is currently finishing up his Master’s degree in Kinesiology from Cal State San Marcos, where he also assisted in building the schools first Sports Performance Program. He hopes to become a university strength and conditioning coach once he graduates.
Favorite quote: The best time to plant a tree was thirty years ago, the second best time to plant a tree is today.
CERTIFICATIONS:
Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology
NSCA Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Crossfit Level 2
Crossfit Kids
USA Weightlifting level 1
Alexander Ceniceros
Coach
ABOUT ALEX
Alex started out his fitness journey by wanting to be a mixed martial artist in 2010, and by 2012 he had developed a passion for fitness and decided to use that passion to help people.
Since then his passion has led him to compete in weightlifting, CrossFit, and currently powerlifting. After 3 years of competing in powerlifting he has successfully attained an Elite total at 275lb body weight with a personal best total of 1,774lbs and is ranked among the top 30 275lb athletes in the US. He has also taken multiple athletes to nationals, and to attain American records in powerlifting.
His biggest drive with coaching is helping people find their own strength in their health and fitness journey and helping it grow and give them confidence in their daily lives.
CERTIFICATIONS:
CrossFit Level 1
NCSF Personal Training Certification
NCSF Functional Testing in Human Performance
WORKING ON:
Issa Strength and Conditioning Coach Certification
NSCA Tactical Strength and Conditioning Certification
Mikaela Isa
Coach
ABOUT MIKAELA
Mikaela started Crossfitting in 2015 when a coworker urged her to try it out in her garage gym. She was reluctant, even saying “I will never try Crossfit, that’s just not for me” but eventually gave in and never looked back. “At first I enjoyed the simplicity and diversity as well as being able to get a really good workout in, in a very short amount of time”. After joining a community and realizing her potential she participated in her first competition. Just 3 months after starting Crossfit! Since then she has participated in multiple local competitions and has placed in several. “I love the feeling of being around others who spend their free time pushing their limits, it’s a special type of person. As well as the overall atmosphere and sense of accomplishment in competing”.
Unlike most she didn’t play sports in high school but at the age of 5 started riding dirt bikes and that was her sport. Being homeschooled didn’t allow sports as an option. “I remember when my dad allowed me to start going on the “guy rides”, girls weren’t allowed because they couldn’t keep up. My Dad raced dirt bikes in the desert for years when I was young so this made me feel really good that my Dad thought I could hang”. Motocross is a pretty physically demanding sport so she did things on her own to try and improve her fitness. Running, plyometrics and body weight movements such as push ups, lunges and sit ups. She loved researching new workouts to do and learning new ways to continue getting better.
Her coaching journey began when she saw the impact that could be made in the lives of others through fitness. That seed was planted and grew while being a part of the NCFIT San Marcos community. She enjoys working with people of all ages and cultivating relationships. Her favorite thing to coach is gymnastic movements and she loves instilling self belief in others. She plans to complete the Crossfit Gymnastic courses in the next few years and put them to good use in the gym.
“After Crossfitting for some time now I still love the workout I can get in a short amount of time but I also love how Crossfit transformed the way I think about myself. I no longer cared about the number on the scale or what size pants I wore. I cared more about what my body could do and I think that every man and woman should get to experience freedom like that in their mind regarding their bodies. I hope I can help other men and women realize how wonderfully made they are”. When she is not in the gym Mikaela enjoys being outside mountain biking or hiking, being a part of her church’s music ministry, spending time with her husband which she met in the desert through mutual friends and still loves to ride dirt bikes.
CERTIFICATIONS:
CrossFit Level 1
Functional Gymnastics Trainer, CrossFit preferred course
Layne Villanueva
General Manager
ABOUT LAYNE
Layne first joined the Double Barrel community in January of 2018 during an 8-week FitCamp cycle. She had never been active or played any sports, but she immediately fell in love with fitness. She spent 9 months in the FitCamp program, and then utilized the Developmental Weightlifting cycle to transition into the CrossFit program. She loves everything about Double Barrel from the programming, to the coaches, to the members!
She is also an avid organizer, planner, and doer, so when Double Barrel decided to expand the team to include an administrative role, she was eager to join. You can find Layne’s smiling face at the front desk and throughout various classes and programs!
Erik Blekeberg
Coach
ABOUT ERIK
Erik is a Professor of Anatomy and Physiology for Cal State University San Marcos (NCAA- D2) and formerly their Sports Performance Coach for Athletics. He is also a National Coach and Certification Instructor for USA Weightlifting and a National-level strength athlete across multiple strength disciplines. As a coach of strength sports he has produced National level lifters in both Weightlifting and Powerlifting across multiple age categories. As a sports performance coach he has worked with athletes from youth, high school, college, Olympic and professional levels.
Currently, Erik is pursuing his Mental Preparation Consultant Certification (CMPC) through the Applied Sport Psychology Association so he can provide Mental Skills Training for athletes and high performing individuals. His passion for coaching and helping people reach their goals drove him to work with NCFIT and be a part of a growing and positive community.
Education:
Master of Arts in Kinesiology, emphasis in Sport and Exercise Psychology (SDSU, 2010)
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, emphasis in Fitness, Nutrition and Health (SDSU, 2007)
CERTIFICATIONS:
NSCA – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (received 2008)
USA Weightlifting – National Coach (received 2015)
USA Powerlifting – Club Coach (received 2017)
RKC Kettlebell Instructor (received 2009)
Functional Movement Screen Certified (received 2011)
Luke Holzschuh
Coach
ABOUT LUKE
Luke has been pursuing functional fitness for roughly 10 years now. He has a background in competitive fitness and working to maximize his performance in the gym. He also loves to use his fitness outside. Luke has hiked many major mountains such as Mt. Whitney and Half Dome. He has also liked to compete in Ragnar races, Triathlons, Spartan Races, and running events!
When Luke isn’t training or coaching in the gym, he is also a 4th grade teacher. He has a passion to educate, motivate, and encourage all walks of life. Luke also loves to spend time with his wife Ranae and puppy Murphy. Drinking coffee and eating delicious food are two of Luke’s other favorite pass-times.
CERTIFICATIONS:
Crossfit L-1
Precision Nutrition L1
Spartan SGX
Bachelors in Business Administration
Master’s in Education
Francis Arias
Weightlifting Coach
ABOUT FRANCIS
Francis Arias is an office worker by day & an avid weightlifter by night. He’s taking his newfound passion for putting barbells over his head & his drive for helping others together as a weightlifting coach.
Francis has lightly dabbled in many sports throughout the years: soccer, basketball, tae kwon do, swimming, running & rock climbing. But, he had never set foot in a weight room before. A traditional gym setting never seemed like a good fit – until he finally picked up a barbell later on in life. And now, he’s never letting that barbell go. He’s a big fan of having a great community & wants everyone to feel involved and appreciated for the work (big or small) that they put in toward their health, fitness & happiness. If a nine-to-five office worker can lift heavy weights, so can you!
When he’s not trying to crush weights – Francis is probably trying to eat all the food in sight. You might even be able to get him to do a CrossFit workout once in a blue moon. He enjoys listening to music & podcasts, watching superhero movies & working on creative content as a hobby. He also thinks it’s awesome when people say “Hello” and introduce themselves!
CERTIFICATIONS:
USAW Level 1
Nicholas DeShane
Weightlifting Coach
ABOUT NICHOLAS
Nick has been involved in athletics since a young age. He played baseball throughout his childhood. He later became a multi-sport athlete playing high school football, baseball and throwing the shot-put and discus at Modesto High School.
At Modesto Junior College, he played football and threw the shot-put and hammer for Modesto Junior College. It was here that he was introduced to Weightlifting by an assistant throws coach.
After his Junior College sporting career came to a conclusion, Nick decided that pursuing Athletic Training as a career would fulfill both his need to do something productive with his life, and stay involved in sports.
Nick earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology-Athletic Training from San Diego State University where he worked with several teams and interned for the San Diego Chargers.
While working as an Athletic Trainer for the U.S. Navy, Nick started weightlifting again and hasn’t looked back.
He has been coaching Weightlifting since 2016 and loves every minute of it. It’s a great experience to help someone achieve their goals. We are all chasing results, but it’s the people, the process and the hard work that make the sport of Weightlifting great.
“If it was easy, everyone would do it. But it’s not, and they don’t…….”
CERTIFICATIONS:
CSCS
USAW Advanced Sport Performance Level 2
USAW Sports Performance Level 1
Taylor Krippes
Yoga Instructor
ABOUT TAYLOR
Taylor Krippes is our Yoga Instructor and has been CrossFitting for four years. She loves the complementary relationship between yoga and CrossFit: The balance between strength and flexibility, intensity and ease. “I allow people the opportunity to slow down from their hectic lives and take time to relax, decompress, and breathe,” she says. “I’m passionate about using fitness and health not only as a way to maintain optimal physical wellness, but also mental and emotional stability in all areas of life—and I love seeing the positive change in attitude and mindset both inside and outside the gym.”
A competitive gymnast for 12 years, Taylor found CrossFit after she graduated college and has never looked back. “I’ve met the greatest community of people who have become friends for life,” she says.
When she’s not CrossFitting, Taylor works with recovering addicts at a local rehab center as a trainer and nutrition consultant. “I also practice hot yoga whenever I can—and love being at the beach, or anywhere outside enjoying the sunshine,” she says. “When I’m not moving around constantly, I love making jewelry.”
Her favorite motivational saying: “Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”
CERTIFICATIONS:
RYT-200 Registered Yoga Teacher
Benjamin Timm
Owner/Maintenance
ABOUT BENJAMIN
Benjamin Timm has been in Fitness since 2003 and specializes in strength sports, powerlifting, weightlifting, Strongman and Highland Games. “I love helping other people,” he says. “I learned early on that I love to teach/train people and I found that passion excels in functional fitness. I especially love the ‘aha’ moment. When the right combination of coach, understanding, and movement partner work all line up and the member does a movement flawlessly, it all of a sudden becomes apparent and they finally get it.”
Benjamin’s athletic background includes wrestling, track, football, and powerlifting throughout his school years. “I was also a whitewater raft/kayak guide and a rock climber,” he says. “Soon afterwards, I joined the Marine Corps and became a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Instructor. After I discovered my passion for teaching and my love for fitness, I started to help train other Marines. Soon, I took my CrossFit Level 1 and started interning at a few different gyms. I loved the community and wanted to give my whole self to the fitness industry.”
In his spare time, Benjamin loves watching sports and spending time with his family and friends—or riding, fixing, and building Harley Davidson Motorcycles. His favorite inspirational quote comes from Thomas Edison: “I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.
CERTIFICATIONS:
CrossFit Level 1
CrossFit Level 2
CrossFit Kids
CrossFit Mobility
USAW Advanced Sport Performance Level 2
USAW Sports Performance Level 1
Brute Force ULOO Trainer
Under Ground Strength Coach
Juggernaut Training Systems “Becoming Unstoppable” Certification