CrossFit Ridgeline

Coach Highlight

MEET THE COACHES

Do you ever wondered who your coaches are outside of class? Look no further as we highlight a different coach every few months, so you get to know the Ridgeline coaching staff!

Please congratulate, Jian Pethtel on being our Coach Highlight for the month of April!

1) What is your job outside of Ridgeline?

I’m a real estate agent with Howard Hanna.

2) What do you do when you’re not working out?

When I’m not in the gym, I’m usually still doing something active. Over the past year, I’ve gotten into running. I ran the Pittsburgh Half Marathon last year and completed the Disney Full Marathon this past January.
Outside of that, I love to hike, travel, read a good book, crochet, and paint pottery. I like to joke that I’m in my “grandma era,” but I fully embrace it. Most importantly, I love spending time with my husband, Eric, my friends, and our sweet pup, Maple.

3) How did you get into CrossFit?

I got into CrossFit after deciding not to pursue collegiate soccer. I’ve always been competitive, so I knew I needed something to fill that space. A friend from my hometown mentioned CrossFit Ridgeline while I was attending WVU, so I decided to check it out. I walked through the front door and I haven’t looked back. Since joining CrossFit I received my CrossFit Level 1 and began coaching in 2018. In 2023, I continued my education and received my CrossFit Level 2 certification.

4) Give us 3 facts about you that we don’t know about you?

1.) I have danced on broadway
2.) I have my advance open water scuba certification
3.) my guilty pleasure is reality tv

Member Highlight
Please congratulate, Kalyn Noechel on being our Member Highlight for the month of February! 

1.) Why did you decide to try Ridgeline?
I had been doing CrossFit at a gym in Fairmont since 2013 but the class I usually went to was moved to a different time and there weren’t any other classes that worked with my schedule. I started looking for a new gym closer to my work. I tried Ridgeline first and never looked back. 

2.) What is your favorite part about Ridgeline?
The abundance of class times! No matter what I have going on, there is always a class I can make work. And I can’t leave out the 6AM crew who make having to wake up so early worth it. I really found my people when I switched to mornings. 

3.) What are your hobbies outside of the gym?
Sleeping in! (IYKYK...) Joking aside, I dabble in some very amateur photography and I love to read. I also love to sit outside with coffee or wine. I’ll never turn down a trip to a winery! 

4.) What kinds of improvements have you seen since joining CrossFit?
Definitely strength. I started with barely being able to bench press the bar and to this day, I’m the strongest I’ve ever been and still getting stronger. My cardio ability has also vastly improved since starting at Ridgeline — though you would never know by watching me in class or checking my scores. 

5.) What would you say to someone that is nervous to try CrossFit?
Maybe it’s not for you and that’s OK - you have to find what works for you. But you never know unless you try. Though some advice if you do try, let yourself ease into it, listen to the coaches, and learn to do the movements correctly. Being obnoxiously sore (or worse, hurt) isn’t going to make you love it. Oh, and never do more than 50 wall balls in a WOD until you’re hooked. Just trust me.