Based on the South Douglas Road, CrossFit Return is a strength and conditioning facility that takes a unique approach to exercise. The dedicated and experienced coaches create programmes to meet everyone’s needs, for all ages, levels of fitness and ability. CrossFit Return prides themselves on having the most experienced coaches who work with each member to make their gym time effective and fun.
Coach Mike Russell
Tell us about yourself:
My name is Mike Russell and I’m a coach at CrossFit Return. I am a CrossFit Level One trainer and a certified fitness instructor. I have been working in the industry for the past four years. Prior to gym life, my background was in rugby. I played all the way up through secondary school as part of the 1st team and enjoyed the competitive atmosphere. I have always had a big interest in strength and fitness and was training together for rugby and in the gym about six days each week. Sport is my passion, fitness is my career.
Who has inspired you in your life and why?
My parents more than anyone else. They have both been the best support structures for all their children and helped us all in every aspect of our lives. Coming into this profession is something I have always wanted to do but stepping out of a guaranteed income was a big step to take. It was one that I wasn’t sure if I should do but they encouraged me as they knew how happy it would make me.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you have and why?
Speakers with Spotify linked to it, goggles because it will make fishing for dinner a whole lot easier and a large supply of pizza bases so I could cook my own. Pizza is life!
What three things do you need to be successful in your job?
- Happiness. If you ain’t happy, you’re in the wrong gig.
- Challenges, without them we would get bored.
- Seeing people succeed and be proud of themselves.
How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition?
Growing up I thought success was based on the amount of money you earn, now I am absolutely sure that is not the case. I now believe being successful in your job means being happy in your work, getting a sense of achievement doing what you do and helping others achieve their goals. By that definition, I think I have become very successful and I’m only just getting started!
What do you love that is not typically “fitfam”?
Music – I will listen to almost all genres of music and be happy to zone out and relax. When I’m training, I’ll happily put on something slow or acoustic and be able to train just as hard. It doesn’t always have to be heavy! This is why the other coaches try to get to the music before me! And Pizza for the same reasons stated in section two!
Coach Aoife Twohig
Tell us about yourself:
My name is Aoife and I am coach at Crossfit Return. I am an EQF 4 Qualified personal trainer and have been for nearly 10 years. I am also an Olympic weightlifting coach and a Crossfit Level 2 trainer.
Who has inspired you in your life and why?
My mum always inspires me. She raised me and my siblings to be free and make our own choices in life while still encouraging us to be good people. She put up with me so she is a saint!
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you have and why?
Oats, dry shampoo and SPF (my skin and sun don’t get along!)
What three things do you need to be successful in your job?
Passion, ability to help people and laughter!
How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition?
My definition of success is being truly happy with all aspects of life and the accomplishment of goals. I may not have accomplished all my goals yet but I sure am happy. Success, to me, is a journey, there may not always be an endpoint!
What do you love that is not typically “fitfam”?
Seeing people of all shapes and sizes, of all fitness levels, working together towards their own personal goals…the camaraderie I see is what makes it all worth it!
Coach Diane Buttimer
Tell us about yourself:
I am a Level 4 personal trainer and certified group trainer and have been working in the industry for the last six years. I have always been into fitness and team sports. I got introduced to weights and bodyweight training about eight years ago which completely changed my outlook on training. Improving my strength and improving my clients’ strength and fitness became my number one goal which is why 12 months ago I decided to try out my first crossfit class at CrossFit Return. I was immediately hooked. My goal is to continue upskilling and improving my own knowledge so I help ensure my clients and the CFR members continue to improve and reach their goals.
Who has inspired you in your life and why?
I am constantly inspired by the members of the CrossFit Return community and by my personal training clients and their amazing attitudes and hard working mentality, even when life throws some curveballs. My sense of job satisfaction is endless.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you have and why?
I would take my two dogs because they are my therapy, a lifetime supply of Haribo jellies because I am obsessed and sun block because who wants to burn.
What three things do you need to be successful in your job?
To be successful in my job I need to be surrounded by like-minded people that inspire me, motivate me and that I can learn from.
What do you love that is not typically “fitfam”?
I love that more and more people when asked what their goals are answer by saying “to get strong”
Coach Ide Healy
Tell us about yourself:
By day I work in Pfizer Ringaskiddy where I’m currently in the role of Quality Control Trainer. I’ve been working in the pharmaceutical industry for nine years now and have a degree in chemistry from UCC. I work part-time here in CrossFit Return. I am a member for almost four years and coaching here for almost two years. I completed my CrossFit Level 1 Certificate in February 2018 and I am currently studying for my Level 2 fitness instructor and Level 3 personal trainer qualifications. My background is in gymnastics which gave me a really good base for crossfit.
Who has inspired you in your life and why?
I’m the youngest of four and always looked up to my older siblings and wanted to do what they were doing which is what got me into gymnastics. My sister did it so I wanted to copy her and I was hooked from the age of five. Growing up my gymnastics coaches really inspired me. They were fantastic role models and very talented gymnastics and I wanted to work hard to be just as good as them! In more recent times, the coaches here in CFR have inspired me. They are all great athletes and again inspired me to work to be able to do what they can do
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you have and why?
Tea bags, suncream (I burn in minutes!!) and a hammock
What three things do you need to be successful in your job?
- Positive attitude
- Be a team player
- Good communication skills
How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition?
My definition of success is knowing that I have worked as hard as I can to achieve my goals and that I have worked to help others achieve their goals too. I believe that I work hard day in day out both as an athlete and a coach, and seeing members hit PBs and get new skills etc that I have helped them with makes me feel that I have helped them in achieving their goals.
What do you love that is not typically “fitfam”?
Baking cakes!
Coach Ben Murphy
Tell us about yourself:
My name is Ben, I am 23 years old. I graduated from the University of Limerick in August 2018 with a degree in Sport and Exercise Science. I first discovered crossfit when I came to CrossFit Return and soon after was converted to the style of training. I find the constant room for progression in so many different areas offers unique and varied challenges. Assisting in and watching others improve in these areas, for me, is the highlight of being a coach.
Who has inspired you in your life and why?
My parents, for being hardworking and selfless people.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you have and why?
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy as I’d no longer have an excuse to not begin reading it. A guitar, plenty of time to practice and coffee beans, so I could desperately attempt to grow my own.
What three things do you need to be successful in your job?
- Willingness to learn
- Confidence
- A positive attitude
How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition?
Put simply, identifying an objective and achieving it. However, I think success is often misinterpreted as a location that people reach and that once you get there you’re done, you’re successful. In my opinion, the most successful people are those who are constantly learning, always moving and never content. So as long as I’m looking for something new and I’m not staying still, I think I’m on the right track.
What do you love that is not typically “fitfam”?
I love a good movie, or a poor one to be honest – really I just enjoy movies!
Coach Lucy Kenefick
Tell us about yourself:
I am the owner and manager of the gym, which we opened seven years ago this July! Before my life in fitness I worked as a professional investment banker and worked around the world for nearly eight years. Over these years I realised I wasn’t personally driven by the banking world and made a big life decision to leave my “pensionable, reliable” job to follow my passion for health, fitness and helping people. Hence the evolution of our gym, CrossFit Return. I have many qualifications and courses completed, including Level 2 certified fitness instructor, CrossFit Level 2 trainer and weightlifting and sport-specific courses. I also have a BSc. in Finance and an MSc. in Investment & Treasury and recently completed a Business Management diploma in Griffith College. To say I like to study and improve my knowledge and experiences is an understatement!!
Who has inspired you in your life and why?
I have had many inspiring figures throughout my life, for different reasons at different stages of personal and professional development. Right now my husband inspires me no end. He has such a positive and energetic outlook on life, he doesn’t let life’s daily challenges get him down and he is forever encouraging me to be myself and live life today, not yesterday or tomorrow!
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you have and why?
Spotify for music and podcasts, a sun hat and Greek yoghurt with peanut butter and berries (my current food obsession)
What three things do you need to be successful in your job?
Without happiness, you’ll never be successful, no matter how qualified, ambitious or rich you are so you definitely need to be happy in your job. You also need to be organised and surround yourself with like-minded, positive and driven people.
How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition?
Success is happiness! This will be my next tattoo I believe in it so much. Over my life, I have pegged myself against other “successful” people, worked really hard in areas I thought I should be in, tried too hard to impress the wrong people and pushed myself to look and be a certain way. In the end, I realised I was drained and not happy…something had to change. Working on my mindset and changing my goals, actions and reactions has brought me a freeness and amazing sense of personal success. It didn’t happen overnight though!
What do you love that is not typically “fitfam”?
Listening to live music, enjoying a few drinks with friends and getting a good night’s sleep!
Unit C2A, Dosco Industrial Estate,
South Douglas Road,
Cork
Ireland
Phone: 083 349 8824
Email: hello@crossfitreturn.ie
