We Are A World-Class Community
WE STRIVE TO CREATE
An Inclusive Community That Brings People Together
Invictus Seattle was founded on the belief that health and happiness are improved by fitness and community. We believe that fitness is for everyone, and it offers a safe and effective way for each of us to grow every day. There is no mold to fit into in order to call yourself an athlete, and we are here to prove that. Regardless of your age, weight, gender, or ethnicity, we strive to create an inclusive community that brings people together with the shared bond of health and wellness.
Our Coaches & Staff
Our coaches and staff will be world-class, with continued education geared toward making members feel safe, comfortable and successful, while providing an experience unlike any other fitness regimen and environment.
A Proven System of Success
Kevin is a CrossFit Games Masters Champion who demonstrates that age is merely a number, and we all can age with strength and grace. Justin weighed over 400 pounds at one point and is an example that there is no rock bottom you cannot work yourself out of while embracing the beauty in the process. Despite their disparate backgrounds, Kevin and Justin bonded around hard work and a drive to be the masters of their fate. They’ve committed to sharing their experiences and knowledge to make the world a healthier place, starting in their own community.
Our Programming
With sessions ranging from functional fitness and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), to gymnastics and weight lifting, there will be something for everyone, no matter your background or experience level.
MEET OUR
Fully Qualified Instructors
Kevin Koester
ABOUT KEVIN
Kevin was a competitive athlete in his youth. He started his career as an ironworker at 19 years old. Today he runs a large steel erection company. He is blessed with a beautiful wife of 28 years and together they have raised two wonderful children. For the last 20 years, he has focused on being a husband, a father, and running his business. While he continues to make those a priority, today he is making time to take on new challenges such as CrossFit. He hopes to inspire Masters athletes and individuals alike to create their blueprint for success in both CrossFit and life. He is beyond excited to create a community in his hometown that allows him to help others.
Justin Gehrt
ABOUT JUSTIN
Justin has a different background from your traditional fitness coach. He found himself morbidly obese at a young age and spent several years trying to find something that would allow him positive change. In that time, his weight reached over 400 pounds. It wasn’t until a nearly fatal car accident in 2012 when an Orthopedic surgeon referred him to the paleo diet and CrossFit. Over the course of eight years, Justin has lost over 200 pounds and worked diligently to inspire those around him, showing that change is possible. Justin started doing CrossFit early in his weight loss journey and fell in love with the community instantly. Since then, he has relocated to Bothell, WA, married his wife and best friend, Jinoos, and received his CF-L2 certification. He thoroughly enjoys watching athletes grow, both mentally and physically. In opening Invictus Seattle, he hopes to inspire his community from the inside out and help others find their way to a healthier life.
Michelle Hansson
ABOUT MICHELLE
In 2008, Michelle stepped into this “small sport” called CrossFit. It changed her life. Becoming a coach in 2010, competing, making it to the Games in the Team Division, getting certified in Movement & Mobility, Olympic Lifting, CF-L2 certified, & CrossFit Kids are just a few of her exciting accomplishments along the way. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences from the University of Arizona. Michelle undoubtedly thrives off of helping others succeed in their fitness goals and making great friends along the way! She finds herself blessed to have an amazing husband and incredible daughter that have been part of her journey from day one. If you don’t find her in the gym, Michelle is with her family traveling, boating, watching a sporting event, trying out new dance moves, or hanging with great friends, but always asleep early!
Teresa James
ABOUT TERESA
Teresa owned and managed a CrossFit affiliate for 5+ years prior to joining the Invictus Seattle team. She is a CrossFit Level 3 Certified Coach, CrossFit Kids trainer, and has completed several other CrossFit seminar courses and certificates. She was a gymnast for 12 years, a collegiate cheerleader, and is a USA Weightlifting Level 2 coach. Teresa has 5,000+ CrossFit and Olympic lifting coaching hours. Teresa began CrossFit in 2012 after her husband, Patrick, spent years convincing her to try it. She quickly fell in love with the combination of modalities and the physical as well as mental challenges. She has 2 children, Kate 14, Ryan 17, and 2 crazy Shih-Tzus. She is most notorious for her high energy and signature laugh.
Desmond Lee
ABOUT DESMOND
Desmond’s love for CrossFit started from a Groupon back in 2014 and the rest was history. He is extremely passionate about building and creating a strong and inclusive community. Desmond’s favorite part of coaching is working with clients of all levels to help them succeed and surpass their fitness goals. Sharing his passion for fitness through coaching has allowed Desmond to look at movement, technique, skill, and workouts from a different perspective. Some of Desmond’s favorite movements are snatches, clean & jerks, rope climbs, and thrusters. When Desmond is not in the gym, he is helping people buy, sell, and invest in Real Estate.
Tiffany Bucher
ABOUT TIFFANY
Tiffany was introduced to CrossFit in 2008, where health and fitness became a very important part of her life. She fell in love with the sport because of the community and competitive nature, but the gym quickly became an outlet for her. As her passion grew, she obtained her coaching certification and began coaching group classes. She has since moved up to a CF-L2 coaching certification and taken the Aerobic Capacity training course. Her favorite part of coaching is the community and seeing someone transform through the love and dedication of the sport. Prior to CrossFit, Tiffany played competitive soccer, was an avid runner and enjoyed horseback riding. When she’s not at the gym, Tiffany enjoys traveling, the outdoors, trail running and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Aggie Stern
ABOUT AGGIE
Originally from Boise Idaho, Aggie started CrossFit in 2009 and was immediately hooked by the strong community, diverse and welcoming environment, and a constant challenge to be the best you—all of this with gym buddies cheering each other on along the way. Seeing the growth in confidence as athletes become stronger, master new skills, and accomplish what they never thought they could, makes coaching kids through masters fulfilling to Aggie every day. CF-L2 and CrossFit Kids certified with a background in gymnastics and powerlifting, Aggie attended the University of Washington and lived in Kobe, Japan for a couple of years before settling in the Seattle area to raise her awesome family. One of her greatest joys is being able to workout with her two amazing daughters at the gym as a family.
Drew Smith
ABOUT DREW
In 2006, Drew was working out at an LA Fitness and just going through the motions of being a bodybuilder when a friend told him to try this workout he saw on the internet. That humbling workout led him to Crossfit and the rest is history. Crossfit gave him an outlet for the competitive drive he had been missing since leaving high school sports. After so many years doing CrossFit, Drew realized that it has given him so much more than just fitness, it has given him a community and great friends. This community allows him to exercise and truly care about the person working out next to him. Over the past 14 years, Drew has learned so much from great mentors and experiences, that he takes any opportunity to share that knowledge with those he is fortunate enough to cross paths with. He wants everyone that comes to Invictus Seattle to come away fitter and more knowledgeable about movement. That is his passion and he tries to transfer that passion through his instruction.
Kaija Stern
ABOUT KAIJA
Born and raised in Seattle, Kaija started CrossFit in 2012 and quickly realized how much she loved the sport. After growing up doing gymnastics and swimming, both individual sports, CrossFit provided the space to be a part of a community. While earning her degree in Global Health and Hispanic Studies at Dartmouth, Kaija started the DartFIT Program to provide college students with the opportunity to learn functional fitness. She continued to coach around Seattle after moving back to the area in 2018. CF-L2 certified, Kaija loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they get their first muscle-up or complete their first Murph.
Casey Campbell
ABOUT CASEY
Casey was a gymnast for 17 years and has been coaching competitive gymnastics for 13 years. She currently coaches the competitive team at Cascade Elite Gymnastics in Mountlake Terrace. As a CrossFit athlete she competed in regionals in 2016, 2017, & 2018 and the CrossFit games in 2017. Casey loves to help others reach new goals and do things they never realized they could do. She especially enjoys teaching our younger generation so she can help build strong, tough minded, and caring individuals that will one day shape our future. In her free time Casey enjoys hanging out with her family as much as possible!
Alex Johnston
ABOUT ALEX
Elmer Vazquez
ABOUT ELMER
Elmer has been coaching for over nine years and is passionate with how movement and other habits affect our health outcomes. He loves strength sports and has competed in powerlifting, strongman, and weightlifting. With work experience in physical therapy, as a personal trainer, and now as a physician in training at UWSOM; Elmer will give thoughtful advisement and education to our community around health and movement, with enthusiasm. Elmer is a CrossFit Level 3 Trainer, CrossFit Strongman Certified, USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach, and BirthFit certified.
Vivian Trudeaux
ABOUT VIVIAN
Vivian found CrossFit in 2018 after years of competitive swimming, a marathon, and a half-Ironman. She loves the challenge of learning and fine-tuning new skills as well as the community that CrossFit brings. As a coach, her goal is to help each member find joy in their fitness journey and become the best version of themselves in and out of the gym. She also enjoys using her expertise as a physical therapist to teach and refine movement patterns. In her free time, you can find Vivian exploring local coffee shops, on a hike, or with her family.
