ABOUT OUR COACHES
COACH & OWNER
NATHAN CHARPENTIER
PHARMD, CrossFit L2, Advanced USA Weightlifting Coach, Certified International Science of Sports Nutritionist, CrossFit Mobility
Nathan first came across the CrossFit.com programming back in 2007 when a fellow medical resident shared his positive experience with the community. Nathan started performing the workouts from the website, researching the movements, nutrition and lifestyle philosophies, for a better understanding of the exercise and nutritional science at hand. There were no CrossFit gyms (aka "boxes") in his area at the time, or at least within a commutable distance with affordable pricing.
Fast forward to 2009/2010, after acquiring his CrossFit Nutrition Certificate at a seminar with Dr Robb Wolf and Dr Matt Lalonde and his Level 1 training certificate, he decided to join a local box that was expanding rapidly shortly after opening. The experience was life changing, the rest is history. After several years of training and incorporating the lifestyle habits of CrossFit, Nathan decided to slowly start dedicating more time to coaching, eventually going in full time in 2014, also launching his own lifestyle management consulting service utilizing his knowledge of lifestyle choices in preventing and reversing disease (knowledge acquired through his studies and practice as a Doctor of Pharmacy).
In 2015, Nathan decided to pursue dedicated training in weightlifting while continuing to coach CrossFit and eventually weightlifting and strength courses. The decision was multi-fold, firstly his at the time girlfriend and now wife/gym co-owner Snow, became more and more successful with weightlifting and secondly because the snatch, clean and jerk and squats were a growing weak point to his cardiovascular fitness abilities.
Under the coaching of Dave Lussier, and eventually Yasha Kahn, Vasily Polovnikov and James Wright, Nathan worked his way to several American Open Series regional events, Master's Weightlifting Nationals and Master's World Championships, all the while continuously learning about the history and philosophies of weightlifting training. He now dedicates most of his time to his coaching and consulting, incorporating a multitude of weightlifting variations to his programs to improve strength, resilience, build weak points and reduce injury risks.
His coaching and programming philosophy have developed into the mind set of "train today to train tomorrow", as his experience truths mindful consistency and undaunted commitment as the major keys to success. Nathan also holds seminar experience in CrossFit Mobility, Hybrid Athletic Training, Movement Correction, and Injury Prevention/Management.
COACH & OWNER
SNOW CHARPENTIER
CrossFit L2, USA Weightlifting Coach, CrossFit Mobility, Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach, O23 Holistic Systems Level 1 Coach, MAT
I learned about CrossFit and functional fitness training in Rhode Island while in the midst of grad school and training for an ironman triathlon. I never felt "in shape" at all up through college (except playing Varsity golf) until I decided it was time to get myself in shape.
Walking into a big warehouse-like box was super intimidating for me at first since I knew nothing about barbells, but I dove headfirst and told myself I would learn new things, and absolutely LOVED it. I became a Level 1 CrossFit trainer in 2012 and since then have been coaching part-time alongside being a graphic designer, formerly a high school teacher before moving back to Oregon in 2016.
Being a new mom, I have switched a lot of my own approach to fitness away from advanced competition and toward longevity and sustainability; while programming, I take into account our clients and their goals...keeping everyone strong, injury free while also making sure workouts stay exciting. I love seeing someone get their first pull up, or PR their clean & jerk, seeing someone get their first box jump, or hearing of our masters athletes reversing osteoporosis and improving their lab results.
The environment of being in this type of gym is by far the most motivating and inspiring place to come to for a workout…everyone here has the same values of “bettering themselves” and achieving more through health and fitness, and the other members here love sharing your accomplishments and help keep you accountable. Allow yourself to learn, try, fail, achieve, fall down, get back up, get out of your comfort zone, and thrive.
Snow is the owner of artofbarbell.com. She was also Fittest Athlete in Rhode Island for the CrossFit Open 2015 and placed 247th worldwide in the 2016 CrossFit Open (27th place in the NorthEast region). She is an Oregon Weightlifting record holder for the 55kg class for snatch, clean & jerk and total, and 2024 USAW Master's National Champion in the 55kg 35-39F category.
COACH
VICTOR FREDERICK
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
Vic began his journey into fitness as a wrestler as young as age 5 up through college at SOU. During high school, he competed at State Championships multiple times, placing as a Junior and winning the state title as a Senior. He is a veteran certified in Army Combatives and was in the Army from 1995 – 2011, which included two tours in Iraq; an unfortunate incident of IED explosions in 2010 led to back surgery and eventually retirement from the military.
He found CrossFit in 2015 in Ashland and has since become a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer and continued improving as an athlete and as a coach. Vic has completed his Level Method educational training and will be filling in for some classes on the schedule as well as work with some of our OnBoarding sessions.
COACH
MELANIE BONK
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, VITA™ Certified Sex, Love & Relationship Coach
I love to play and I incorporate play in all aspects of my life. If there was a sport or team to join, I was first in line to sign up. From soccer & basketball to hockey & hurling (look it up), I consistently showed up to play, worked hard and always with a whole lotta heart. I'm the mom cannonballing into the ball pit or cart racing her kids in an empty parking lot. I believe play keeps us young!
I began CrossFit when we moved to Oregon in 2014. I needed to regain my fitness (and my bladder control ) after having my 4th baby. I also desperately needed community after moving across the country to a brand new state. The gym quickly became my sanctuary. A place to take off the mommy hat and empower my inner warrior goddess. A place to connect, laugh and hustle alongside friends. A place where everyone not only knew my name but screamed it enthusiastically to encourage one more rep.
You know, walking into a new place, especially a place like a gym, can be scary AF and our hardwiring makes us default into comparison. Compare yourself against everyone who is there, compare your fitness level to everyone working out, even compare outfits, compare, compare, compare. Caparison can become the thief of joy and this is our happy, joyful place to PLAY. Using the Level Method, gym members feel admiration for their own inspiration and I've seen the Level Method create connection over comparison. I am honored to create a space for all to come out and play.
For my full-time gig, I am a Sex, Love & Relationship Coach. I help individuals and couples reconnect with their natural ability to experience body tingling, heart opening *full body* sensations by deep diving into the primal body, getting out of the head leading to a lifetime of play, passion & pleasure.
COACH
HAYLEY HAVNIEAR
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
I first started CrossFit around 2015 after living abroad for a few years. I moved back home and needed a routine, something fun, challenging and a community to be a part of. CrossFit was all of that and more. After one class, I was hooked!
For work I am a second grade teacher in Medford. I’ve been teaching for 11 years and have a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. With my love for CrossFit and my background in teaching…Coaching seemed like an easy and natural next step.
I truly believe CrossFit is for everyone and it’s much more than a fitness program. Whether you want to lose weight, gain strength, become healthy, meet new friends, combat depression, and body ailments or become the fittest on Earth- CrossFit can and will transform your life! Just like in the classroom- I want to teach you, inspire you, set goals with you and cheer you on as you become the best version of yourself inside and outside the gym.
When not working or at the gym, I volunteer with Youth71five, lead a women’s bible study and enjoy taking my fitness outside with running, swimming or hiking with my 3 dogs. I’ve done multiple triathlons and marathons and am always up for adventures and trying something new!
COACH
PADEN BERGDALL
CrossFit Online-Level 1 Trainer
I found CrossFit in 2016 after a sports injury and wanted to get my strength back. Needless to say I was hooked after the first month and never looked back. I love the challenges and community that I’ve been lucky to be a part of through the years. Also who doesn’t love all of the heavy barbells. ;)
I’m excited to coach here at Iron Haven and hopefully be a catalyst of change in our members lives! I strongly believe in the CrossFit methodology, want to help you succeed and champion achievements. Let’s get after it.
When I’m not in the gym, I work as a critical care tech and am in process of pursuing my Nursing degree. I love all things specialty coffee and ambient music. I can be found up in the mountains with my Border Collie Rookie, hanging out with my fiance Nick, or out on the competition floor throwing down.