Meet the Coaches

Brian Baker

Owner & Head Coach
Certified CrossFit Trainer (CCFT/CF-L3)
CrossFit Level 2 (CF-L2)
CrossFit Level 1 (CF-L1)
CrossFit Olympic Lifting
CrossFit Mobility
Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED

Brian and his wife Aubrey opened CrossFit Bartlesville in June 2011. Together, Brian and Aubrey have a passion for exercise and for helping people meet their health and fitness goals. They discovered CrossFit in 2008 and found it to be the best method for general strength and conditioning. They started coaching people in their garage, inviting friends, relatives, and anyone interested in fitness to join in for the “workout of the day.”

Brian Baker is a Certified CrossFit Level 3 Trainer. Starting his athletic career on a soccer field, at age 6, Brian excelled and earned an athletic scholarship at NCAA Division 1, Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. After college, his continued interest in fitness led him to pursue martial arts and body building, finishing in the top 5 worldwide in the 2005 Body for Life competition.

Jimmy Epperson

CrossFit Level 1 (CF-L1)
CPR/AED and standard First Aid

I joined CrossFit Bartlesville about 4 yrs ago to stay active during the cool months.  I instantly fell in love with the constantly varied workouts.  I credit the workouts at CrossFit Bartlesville with helping me complete several full marathons, 1/2 marathons, and numerous 5K runs.  The combination of good nutrition & exercise recommended at CrossFit Bartlesville not only helps you as an athlete but will improve your overall health.  I love the concept of improving the whole body regardless of age and athletic ability and I want to share that with others.

Johnny Whisman

CrossFit Level 1 (CF-L1)

Johnny graduated with a Computer Science degree from Northeastern State University (Tahlequah) in 2013. Since then, he has been a member of the Bartlesville community, working in IT for ConocoPhillips. He has had a passion for sports and outdoor activities . Since moving to Bartlesville, Johnny has participated in local Volleyball, Bowling, Golf, Softball, and Baseball leagues. Of all the sports, Johnny’s biggest passion has always been baseball. Johnny is one of the few Oakland A’s fans you will find in Oklahoma.
Johnny joined CrossFit Bartlesville in January 2021 and fell in love from day one. While being an excellent form of exercise, it also scratched a competitive itch. Johnny had dabbled in traditional globo gym weightlifting on and off his entire life, but never felt like he was becoming more athletic and healthy. He loves that the constantly varied nature of CrossFit not only makes you stronger, but also makes you more coordinated, faster, and generally better at everyday life. What Johnny believes is even better than that, is the community surrounding Crossfit. He loves seeing people learn to do things that they once thought impossible, and hopes that as a coach he can assist and encourage more people in doing just that.

Aaron Kuntz

CrossFit Level 1 (CF-L1)

Aaron has been a part of the CrossFit Bartlesville community for the last eight years. He enjoys participating in competitions, the excitement of a constantly varied workout, and most of all the community of athletes that is found in at CrossFit Bartlesville.

Aaron grew up playing multiple sports but found a passion for soccer and has coached the sport at various levels for the last 15 years. He also developed an interest in endurance sports and has competed in several Ironman Triathlons. As a coach in the gym he would like to continue to share in the triumphs of its members and help people reach and surpass their fitness goals.

 

Bryon Waits

CrossFit Level 1 (CF-L1)
CPR/AED and standard First Aid
1x Recipient of “Joker of the Gym” award

Bryon joined CFB in July 2011 after being invited by co-workers to try out this CrossFit thing. After walking into the gym and not seeing any machines he wondered to himself, what could he get out of this with hardly any equipment and treadmills, 20 mins later he fell in love with the most beautiful, funny, caring, and aggressive lady that he ever met…her name was GRACE. He realized that this is what he had been called to do. After years of trying to supplement his way to a better body and health, he soon realized it just took some hard work. What Bryon loves and needs from CrossFit is the accountability and the cross functional aspects that it provides. From his time spent in the 82nd Airborne (AATW), accountability is a major role in his health and fitness and that is what CrossFit gives him.  He loves the community, and watching newcomers go from not being able to pick up a bar with nothing but fear on their face, to lifting #135 off the ground with huge a smile. He hopes to pass his passion for CrossFit along to all the members he coaches.

Stephen Nwaukwa

CrossFit Level 1 (CF-L1)

Stephen is originally from Nigeria and has been a resident of Bartlesville since 2005. Prior to joining CrossFit Bartlesville in 2017, he was an avid weightlifter, typically spending 3-4 days per week in regular gyms doing standard barbell and dumbbell workouts. After some years of this workout regimen, he plateaued and started looking for something new to challenge himself & get him past the hump. That is when he discovered CrossFit. The thing that he finds most appealing about CrossFit is the constantly varied nature of the workouts & how they are designed to challenge and help you overcome your perceived limitations. The intended stimulus of each workout, and variations from workout to workout has made him a much better, healthier, and well-rounded athlete overall. In addition, CrossFit Bartlesville has a closely knit community of athletes who encourage and motivate him to be a better athlete and make healthier lifestyle choices. As a coach at CrossFit Bartlesville, his desire is to help people become the most fit versions of themselves, doing things they never imagined they could ever do.