Introducing the Grounded Crossfit Team
Meet the fitness experts ready to help you achieve your fitness goals and your potential.
Our Founders
Natalie and Patrick Reid
Patrick’s story
Natalie’s story
Our Professional Coaches
VI JOHNSON
COACH
As the middle child of nine siblings, Vi has always
been on the go. In high school she played basketball and
ran track to stay active. After relocating to Maryland Vi,
began feeling homesick and disconnected from her once
active self.
After signing up for a six week challenge, Vi walked into Grounded Crossfit and was hooked after the first class! The community at Grounded has helped her discover a much better version of herself than she ever thought possible. Coaching gives her the chance to help others realize their true potential and inspires her to keep challenging herself.
Fav color: Turquoise
Fav lift: Clean
Fav WOD: I LOVE Tabatas!!
Spirit Animal: Flamingo
Travel dream: Paris
Inspirational quote: ” It doesn’t get easier, you get better!”
Frankie Ramos
COACH
Frankie found his passion for fitness in high school where he played football, basketball, and ran track and field. He continued his passion for fitness throughout his adult life and into his Army career.
Frankie has tried training programs from all regions of the fitness industry bodybuilding, personal trainers, functional fitness, bootcamps. None of them offered him the challenge and sense of accomplishment that has come from doing CrossFit. He got his start at Grounded CrossFit first as an athlete and now is a Coach. “I fell in love with CrossFit and the community here at Grounded so much that I knew I needed to become a Coach. I wanted to help people find success in this sport and achieve their fitness goals!”
Favorite Lift: Snatch
Favorite WOD: Cali Bear
Spirit Animal: Mako Shark
Favorite Color: Red
Travel Dream: Iceland
Bucket List: CrossFit Affiliate Owner
Greatest Personal Accomplishment: I’ll let you know when I stop accomplishing things.
ED BASS
COACH
He ended up in MD as a result of being a military brat. He has a Master's Degree in Management. He's loved football and basketball since the age of 6. Ed joined Grounded on a previous trial that was offered and it has been home ever since. He coaches to help motivate others.
The focus and attention to detail needed as a coach also increases his own ability and appreciation for the movements.
– Favorite Lift: Back Squat
– Favorite WOD: Grace with Linda in a close 2nd
– Spirit Animal: Bear
– Favorite Color: black
– Travel Dream: Tahiti
– Bucket List: Skydiving
– Biggest CF accomplishment: 500 lb back squat and losing 60 pounds (thanks Pat!!!)
– Greatest personal accomplishment: Marrying my best friend (it’s not cheesy if it’s true.)
Wynton Crossley
COACH
He's always been into sports from a young age; soccer, baseball, football, basketball. As he grew taller he focused more on basketball. With his height growth also came the desire to focus on muscle growth.
He started working at the gym in college to gain further knowledge and by default be in a gym environment more. As Wynton stepped into the work force he went to globo gyms but found it boring and ineffective. Grounded has allowed him to use an hour of time devoted to programming, strength and cardio simultaneously.
“I just show up and do the work and the results followed. What I love about the community is its no bull attitude. Everyone is there to work hard and get better. The random cookouts and beers are a plus too.”
– Favorite Lift: Clean
– Favorite WOD: DT
– Spirit Animal: Wolf
– Favorite Color: Black
– Travel Dream: Tokyo
– Bucket List: Own a fully kitted out garage
– Greatest personal accomplishment: “Being midly
successful at my age.”
Josh Monacelli
COACH
Following his time as a collegiate swimmer, he struggled to find the same level of shared purpose and camaraderie before finding grounded back in 2021. Through the grounded, family and CrossFit he has been able to regain that while improving his physical and mental well-being beyond where he was as a collegiate athlete. The team here inspired him to be a coach and help others realize their physical and mental potential.
Favorite Lift: Clean and Jerk
Favorite WOD: Glen
Spirit Animal: Panda
Favorite Color: Dark Gray
Greatest Personal Accomplishment: overcoming an auto immune disorder which impacted my collegiate, swimming career and disqualified me from active duty military service. In the following years through perseverance and community, I was able to finish my collegiate swimming career and find an alternate path to public service. Along the way, I have been able to go into remission from the disorder and reshape myself both physically immensely through CrossFit.
Whitney Manansala
COACH
Almost 11 years ago Whitney was tricked into a Groupon to try Crossfit. She broke a nail trying to pick up the barbell, cried, and swore off Crossfit forever. But she stuck it out for the month and before she knew it, she was hooked! The strength she gained was physical and mental, and she was doing things she never thought possible. She started competing and eventually was competing monthly.
Unfortunately she had to stop doing Crossfit for about 5 years, but in 2021 she returned and chose Grounded as her new Crossfit home. The community there helped her get back to her old self and fill the missing piece in her life. Now a Coach at Grounded, she is extremely grateful for the opportunity to give back what Grounded has given her.
– Favorite Color: Purple!!
– Favorite Lift: Snatch
– Favorite WOD: Fran… Yeah I know… Crazy
– Spirit Animal: Someone told me that I was like a Dragon. I sit, watch, evaluate, plan, and when the time is right, I scorch everyone in my path. I liked it haha!
– Greatest Personal Achievement: Staying sober and finding Jesus
DONISHA TRAVER
COACH
After struggling to find motivation to workout after having
her daughter, Donisha's husband brought her into
Grounded to try something new. She has been hooked ever
since. It has brought on a new meaning to her fitness
because there's always a new workout or movement to
master.
Not only that but the people to your left and right will always keep you humble and accountable.
She chose to coach because of the satisfaction she gets while helping others reach their fitness goals.
– Favorite Lift: Clean and Jerk
– Favorite WOD: DT
– Spirit Animal: Tupac
– Favorite Color: Red
– Travel Dream: Egypt
– Bucket List: Backpack through the Tour du Mont Blanc (120 miles long)
– Greatest personal accomplishment: My beautiful daughter.