CrossFit Boston

Instructors

Neal Thompson, Founder & Chief Instructor

Neal Thompson founded CrossFit Boston in 2005 based on the belief Boston had a growing need for a gym whose business model is based on human performance, not aesthetics; service, not membership sales. It served as the first CrossFit Affiliate in the state of Massachusetts promoting elite fitness. Since opening, Neal has helped spawn three additional Massachusetts affiliates.

Neal has over 15 years of experience as both an athlete and coach. His clientele has ranged from professional athletes to soccer moms and all sorts and likes between.

Neal holds the following Certifications:

• CrossFit Level III
• CrossFit Barbell
• CrossFit Football
• CrossFit Gymnastics
• CrossFit Nutrition
• CrossFit Running and Endurance Coach
• CrossFit Science of Exercise
• CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting
• USA Weightlifting Club Coach

Neal received a B.S. in Business Administration from Bucknell University, graduating in 1999. While attending the University, he competed on the football team and was named a tri-Captain his Senior year.

Contact Neal

Jen Kelly, Instructor

Jen first became interested in fitness during college after taking a mandatory weightlifting class. After learning that there was more to fitness than the treadmill, Jen decided to become a personal trainer in order to share some of what she had learned. While focusing on clients, her own fitness began to take a back seat. CrossFit became Jen's way to stay personally motivated and challenged. Her own results were so phenomenal that she now recommends the program to anyone interested in truly improving their health and fitness.
Jen holds the following certifications:

• CrossFit Level II
• CrossFit Nutrition
• CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting Coach
• ACE Certified Personal Trainer

Jen received her Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from Alfred University in 2007.

Alex Straus, Instructor

Alex Straus was first a member of Crossfit Boston starting early 2007. He has since become very passionate about CrossFit, the community it harbors, the breakthroughs it produces, and the mindset it creates in athletes. Alex got involved with fitness at a young age, competing in small road races and triathlons. His passion with fitness was rekindled in college upon discovering CrossFit. He has since developed an undoubtedly life-long commitment to the principles and pursuit of excellence, mastery, and fitness.

Alex holds the following certifications:

• CrossFit Level II
• CrossFit Nutrition
• CrossFit Kettlebell
• CrossFit Running and Endurance Coach

He is a recent graduate of Northeastern University where he received a B.A. in English graduating with honors.

Eva Claire "EC" Synkowski, Assistant Instructor

EC's unwaivering dedication to the platform has given her the ability to lift loads beyond the level of most female athletes. Eva Claire's athletic ability, combined with her exact attention to mechanics and extensive knowledge of proper dietary practices makes her a tremendous resource to CrossFit Boston. EC is an assistant instructor at Crossfit Boston and a head trainer at CrossFit Level I certifications.

Eva Claire holds the following certifications:

• CrossFit Level II
• CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting
• CrossFit Gymnastics
• CrossFit Barbell

She received her B.S. in Biological Resource Engineering from the University of Maryland at College Park in 2002, graduating summa cum laude, and received her M.S. in Natural Resource Sciences from the same institution in 2004.

Contact EC

James Hobart, Instructor

James has been involved with personal training for 7 years. Prior to CrossFit, he trained with plyometric and functional movements toward the end of improving his performance in various sports: soccer, skiing, lacrosse, aikido and mountain biking. While studying at Oxford for a summer in 2007, James began to train CrossFit more seriously. When he returned, he began instructing part time at CrossFit Great Barrington.

James holds the following Certifications:

• CrossFit Level I
• CrossFit Barbell
• CrossFit Gymnastics
• CrossFit Nutrition
• CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting

James received his B.A. in English and Philosophy from the University of Massachusetts in 2008, and is currently attending Suffolk Law. Contact James.

Rafael Flores, Instructor and Muscular Therapist

Rafael is an active amatuer kickboxer that first arrived to CrossFit Boston as a student looking to enhance his own training for fights. Since arriving, he has apprenticed at CrossFit Boston and is now  instructs some evening classes and teaches the Sunday class.

Rafael has more than 20 years of involvement in fitness. His initial focus was with bodybuilding before moving on to more sport specific functional training as he developed as a fighter. In addition to training himself, Rafael has trained various fighters in boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts. This experience has resulted in Rafael teaching with a style that stresses technique and a greater understanding of how the body works.

Rafael's professional career in the health field began in 1994. As a licensed muscular therapist, Rafael has worked as a rehab assistant in chiropractic offices and with physical therapists leading therapeutic exercise groups. This experience of working in various enviorments has has resulted in his unique therapy style of focusing more on specific bodywork to help return the athlete to functionality.

Rafael holds the following Certifications/Accreditations:

• CrossFit Level I
• Licensed Muscular Therapist, American Muscle Therapy Association

Stacey Kroon, Instructor & Gymnastics Coach

Stacey is CrossFit Boston’s Gymnastics “expert” with over 20 years of combined competition and coaching experience. She is the lead instructor of our Gymnastics Foundation Seminars. Aside from these duties, Stacey is available for private coaching.

Outside of CrossFit, Stacey is the Athletic Director of Harvard Medical School's Vanderbilt Athletic Facility. Her duties include day to day operations and management of the intramural program.

Stacey holds the following certifications:

• CrossFit Level I
• CrossFit Gymnastics
• CrossFit Nutrition
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, NSCA

Stacey received her Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Physiology from Keene State College in 2005, graduating summa cum laude, and an Associate's Degree in Chemical Dependency.