Bio

Like many people, Austin played sports in high school but became inactive in college. He found CrossFit in 2015 while pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering; today, he says the program helps him excel as he works toward a Ph.D. “My mental state’s so much better; I’m so much more efficient,” he said. As a Ph.D. student at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Austin loves to teach, and coaching classes at Rushmore CrossFit is a perfect combination of his love for education and his passion for fitness. He’s a stickler for form and his top priority is safety, but what makes him light up most is seeing people improve. “I love when someone’s form improves and they get just uber excited to be able to lift more, or their cardiovascular capacity is going through the roof and they can do things they’ve never done before,” he said. The community at Rushmore CrossFit is what keeps him coming back to the gym every day. “It’s a good time to be miserable with others,” he joked. All jokes aside, Austin’s mission is to help others improve their minds and bodies one workout at a time. “I want everyone to enjoy their fitness experience, improve their body and do it safely,” he said.