Coaches Spotlight: Derek Saffold
Meet coach Derek.
Derek is one of the owners and coaches here at R3VIVE. As head coach and programmer, Derek has both his Crossfit L1 and USAW L1 certification. When he’s not talking about all things fitness, you can find him reading about college football (#rolltide), thinking about his next meal, or playing fetch with his dog, Delta.
Q: How did you get started in fitness?
I got started way back when I was playing football in high school in Alabama. This was my first introduction to real training. I realized how much I enjoyed the challenge and the feeling of accomplishment afterward. After high school, I went into the Marine Corps. That’s where II was introduced to real endurance training and functional fitness. Once in college, I would train alone at the college gym until I found a Crossfit gym (Crossfit on the Hill). From there, I have dove into making fitness a major part of my life.
Q: What made you want to open up a gym?
I wanted to open a gym because I wanted to bring the same things that Crossfit on the Hill brought me to other people. A place where anyone can come in and begin their fitness journey with a community and coaches that will support them both inside and outside the gym.
Q: How did you meet the other two owners?
We all met at Crossfit on the Hill. First as athletes and then all grew as coaches while being there.
Q: What is the meaning behind the name R3vive?
We came up with the name R3vive because we wanted to R3vive what we all fell in love with at COTH – Community, Coaches that care, and fitness for life.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about R3vive?
My favorite thing is the community that has grown through the pandemic. We started in October 2019, only six months before we were closed due to the pandemic. Even though most of R3vive’s existence has been through the covid pandemic, our community has stuck together and supported each other through everything and is now thriving.
Q: How has owning a gym impacted you? (ex. fitness, interests, etc.)
Honestly, even though there has been more to do than I have ever thought there would be, I have loved every second of it. Being a coach has been more fulfilling than I would have thought.
Q: What do you want people to think and feel when they talk about R3vive?
I want members to be excited to come in. To have fun, work hard, and know that the coaches here want to help them.
Q: What is your favorite movement? Least favorite?
My favorite movement is snatches. My least favorite movement is the assault bike.
Follow on coach Derek on IG: @dereksaffold