Teresa Briest

While playing youth sports at the age of 12, Teresa was told her knees weren’t built for intense exercise. Swimming was suggested instead of basketball along with physical therapy and adaptive physical education. That one suggestion, although very difficult to grasp, lead to a whole new path for Teresa and athletics. She grew strong in high school and college swimming and developed a love for the sport. While pursuing her education degree, Teresa decided to continue her swimming as a coach at the high school level. Coaching and teaching techniques became second nature for Teresa.

In 2007, a good friend, Darcy Franklin, suggested triathlons. She was hooked after winning her age group in her very first race. But in 2010, Teresa had a season ending foot injury. With determination and the guidance of Darcy, Teresa started her CrossFit training journey and has never looked back. She sees the benefits of high intensity training along with Olympic weight lifting when swimming in masters swim meets. She has never been stronger and holds MN age group records in swimming to prove it! Along with being head coach and owner of Tangletown CrossFit, Teresa is the owner and coach of I Swim Masters Team in Eden Prairie.

Teresa had progressed in her CrossFit training to now include competitions. She has many successes with team competitions and has accomplished a personal goal of finishing the masters qualifier every year since 40 years old. Teresa views CrossFit as an excellent workout for all fitness levels and is an encouraging coach who wants to help others meet their personal goals!

Outside of the gym, Teresa enjoys spending time with her husband and children, eating cheese, cheering on any Badger team, and playing with her dog.

Certifications

• CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

• CrossFit Level 2 Trainer

• CrossFit Gymnastics Certificate

• Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified

• United States Masters Swimming Level 2

• USA Swimming Coach

• CPR/First Aid

• Owner and coach of I Swim, LLC

Education

• BS in Education

• MA in Education

Aaron Dush

Aaron grew up playing basketball, football, and baseball and has always been open to learning and trying new sports. He has coached many, many youth sports for his children over the years. In 2017 he found CrossFit and has been hooked ever since.

Aaron is also a certified USA Weightlifting coach and has competed in Olympic weightlifting. Aside from continuing to develop his own skills, he has a passion to help others achieve their fitness goals through his experience and learning. Aaron is an early riser, so you will normally find him at the gym very early in the morning. Outside of the gym, Aaron enjoys spending time with his family and all things outdoors including biking, hiking, skiing, and camping.  

Certifications:

• CrossFit Level 1

• USA Weightlifting Level 1

Brock Leshon

Brock began his strength training journey in his early teens to get stronger for the sports he played. In high school he started playing Water Polo and swimming while continuing to lift weights regularly. Brock started trying CrossFit to supplement his strength training at 18 and would do them a few times a week until he started to focus exclusively on CrossFit which led to him getting his L1.

Certifications

• CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

Anthony Nguyen

From a young age, Anthony grew up playing soccer and falling in love with team sports, even up through college where he played on the University of Minnesota - Duluth Men's Club team. Through a few good connections, he added in rock climbing as a hobby and went on to pursue training at an American Ninja Warrior gym, where he also helped coach within their adult and youth programs.

Just before Covid hit in 2020, he was referred to Ben Bergeron's "Chasing Excellence" podcast, where he found CrossFit and hasn't looked back since. Anthony's love for sports, functional fitness and the power of community led him to pursue the L1 and will occasionally throw around some weights in local competitions.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, going on walks around Lake Harriet, and babysitting his two nieces.

Certifications

• CrossFit Level-1 Trainer

Andrea Wilt

Growing up, Andrea participated in a variety of team sports purely for movement and fell prey to the motto of the day, “thin is in,” which led to a decade-long battle with eating disorders. She found long-distance running in her late twenties and completed 20 marathons, some of them as a coach with the Leukemia Society’s Team in Training program.

In 2012, having never picked up a barbell, she joined Tangletown CrossFit for a new challenge and has never looked back. It was here she realized the benefits of strength training, functional fitness, proper nutrition to fuel a body, and the power of community. This led to Andrea pursuing her L1 helping others realize the benefits of consistency in training, proper movement and fun.

Now in her 50’s – yes 50’s! – she is in better shape than a decade ago and is most passionate about helping middle-aged women like herself understand the importance of building strength and that age is not a limiting factor for anyone.

When not in the gym, Andrea can be found coaching attorneys in her other line of work, spending time with her three mostly adult children, gardening, dancing and being active with nearly any activity outside.

Certifications:

• CrossFit L1 Trainer