Meet the CrossFit Hermitage team

At CrossFit Hermitage in Hermitage, TN, we are dedicated to creating a fitness community where everyone can thrive. Our gym combines expert coaching, cutting-edge facilities, and a supportive environment to help you reach your fitness goals. Discover a place where your fitness journey is guided by passion and professionalism.

Our Coaches

Our coaches at CrossFit Hermitage are more than just trainers; they are passionate professionals committed to your success. Each member of our team brings a wealth of experience and a personalized approach to help you safely achieve your fitness goals. With diverse specialties ranging from strength training to mobility to gymnastics to health and wellness, our coaches are here to support, guide, and inspire you every step of the way.

Brandi Forbes

CrossFit Certified: Level 2, Mobility, Olympic Lifting, Strongman | Certified Coach with Eat to Perform, The Paleo Solution, Precision Nutrition, and Healthy Steps Nutrition | American Red Cross CPR & AED Certified | B.S., Marketing | M.B.A. from Vanderbilt University

As a lifelong athlete, Brandi developed a deep respect for “team” and the overall sports community. She has a passion for teaching and learning, and loves sharing that journey with others. “There’s no greater feeling than helping people achieve things they thought were impossible! The looks on their faces are priceless and seeing their confidence levels grow as they continue to reach new goals is a beautiful thing.” Brandi began playing soccer at age 4 and continued well past college while intertwining softball and Tae Kwon Do in her younger years. She poured her heart into women’s rugby for a handful of years and was honored to work as the President of the Nashville Women’s Rugby Club before hanging up her ‘boots’ for good. After becoming completely bored with treadmills, Jillian Michaels DVDs, and P90X, she finally found CrossFit in June 2009 and fell in love instantly. CrossFit (as a workout and as a sport) quickly proved to fit her search for being part of something bigger and finding that camaraderie and support she came to count on throughout her sports career. She loves sharing her passion for fitness, healthy nutrition, and making positive life changes with each of you through our program at CrossFit Hermitage!

Alexie Smith

CrossFit Certified: Level 1 B.A., International Studies from Indiana University

Proof that consistency is key, Alexie’s fitness journey began only a few years ago when this former 120-pound “tall and skinny” guy decided he was ready for a change and a confidence boost. He started by visiting his local YMCA every…single…day…for two years straight. (yes, that’s the kind of dedication and commitment Coach Alexie brings to the table) After seeing the CrossFit Games on TV, he thought: “Now THAT looks like a good time!” and began his search for a CrossFit gym to call home. A move from Kansas to Tennessee later, and an instant fit with the CrossFit Hermitage community, Alexie not only packed on muscle and became a powerhouse athlete…but he also studied and earned his CrossFit Level 1 certification, worked through the Intern Program here at CrossFit Hermitage, and is now a valued member of our coaching team. Coach Alexie appreciates that coaching gives him the opportunity to encourage, empower, and nurture the growth and awesomeness level of our entire community. When he’s not working on strength and skills in the gym, he works with a different set of plates as a ceramic potter. He lives by the motto that “we become in our lives what we do with our love,” and that spirit and passion shines through in his fitness and coaching.

Courtney Berner

CrossFit Certified: Level 1 American Red Cross CPR & AED Certified B.S. Family and Child Sciences + B.S. Psychology, Florida State University

Courtney Berner has been involved in team sports her entire life, playing soccer all the way through college plus several years of softball and dance. She was first introduced to CrossFit in 2012 as a way to maintain fitness during the soccer off-seasons, and she quickly realized it was about more than just the workouts. She fell in love with the community atmosphere because it so closely paralleled aspects of team sports. After graduating and moving to Nashville, she dove into Olympic Weightlifting and found a love for the barbell and heavy lifting…but missed the community atmosphere she grew up with. She eventually found her way back to CrossFit and a team-like community through CrossFit Hermitage. With a passion to teach and a love for strength training, she went on to earn her CrossFit Level 1 certification and completed the months-long CrossFit Hermitage Internship Program, where she began her coaching experience. When she’s not at the gym, you’ll find Courtney supporting young adults in crisis at the Oasis Center, snuggling her pups, playing soccer, or enjoying the outdoors. She is so excited to share her love for strength training and support others through coaching. Her favorite quote comes from Maya Angelou “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive: and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style” and she intends to carry that mission with her both in and out of the gym.

Jesse Bates

CrossFit Certified: Level 1 American Red Cross CPR & AED Certified B.S. Exercise Science, University of West Florida

Coach Jesse grew up playing baseball, football, and competing in weightlifting and wrestling. After he turned down an opportunity to play collegiate football, he found himself living a less-than-active lifestyle with considerable differences in his overall health. He dove into CrossFit as a way to get moving again, but also to feel like part of a team and work toward specific ‘game-day’ type of goals! After coaching freshman football at his alma mater for a few years, he joined a coaching apprenticeship program and began coaching CrossFit in 2015 then spent his senior capstone with EXOS where he had the opportunity to work with professional and tactical athletes as well as collegiate, teen, and youth athletes in various settings. We’re thrilled that he moved to Nashville in 2019 and has now joined the CrossFit Hermitage family. CrossFit helped Jesse find that missing spark, and he’s eager to bring that to others through his coaching here at CrossFit Hermitage!

Omar Hernandez

CrossFit Certified: Level 1, Level 2 American Red Cross CPR & AED Certified B.S. Business Administration, Western Michigan University Doctor of Chiropractic, Logan University

Coach Omar earned his CrossFit Level 1 certification and began coaching in his hometown of Kalamazoo, MI in 2016. He developed a love for coaching teen classes and teaching young individuals the fundamentals of strength and conditioning. He has since continued his education, obtained his CrossFit Level 2 certification, and earned his doctor of chiropractic degree + coached in some great gyms including Denver and St. Louis. He uses his knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics to help members live functional, pain-free lives. His favorite CrossFit movement is the Burpee (but why?), and he’s known to get excited about conditioning sessions that involve the bike. His favorite part about coaching is helping people get to the point where they are empowered to live healthier lives.

Unique Features and Facilities

CrossFit Hermitage boasts a clean, organized, and spacious 7,500 square foot facility split into a main gym and a side gym designed to maximize your group classes and personal training experience. We provide a locker room area to secure your belongings, two restrooms, three private changing rooms, a water bottle refill station along with a refrigerator and microwave. We also provide a location for local meal-prep pick up and have on-the-go recovery drinks, protein, and other supplements available to complement your training.

Top-Notch Fitness Equipment

At CrossFit Hermitage, we’re proud to provide top-of-the-line equipment (+ coaching, support, and accountability) to help YOU reach your goals. Our 7,500sf facility is equipped with Rogue barbells, Concept 2 rowers and ski ergs, Echo bikes, and more to ensure you get the most from your personal training or group class experience. We have a variety of dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, and plyometric boxes for true functional fitness workouts, and we’re the only training facility in the area with CrossFit standard 15-foot ropes. With our expansive training space, extensive range of equipment, intelligent programming design, and fantastic coaching team, CrossFit Hermitage is committed to helping you become stronger, fitter, and more confident.

Book Your Free Intro Session Today

Take the first step towards a healthier lifestyle with a free intro session at CrossFit Hermitage in Hermitage, TN! Our team will provide a personalized tour of our facilities, introduce you to our services, and help you start your fitness journey. Schedule your session now and experience firsthand how CrossFit Hermitage can support your goals.