Coaching Team
JP Christal, Owner and Coach
I have 15 years of industry experience through operating a gym, coaching and programming. I have worked with clients from all walks of life and with them a differing array of goals, needs and fitness levels.
My fitness career started in 2007 working as a personal trainer in the franchise gym space. Pretty early on I could see the shift that was about to take place within the application and delivery of fitness as a whole. The notion of moving your body rather than just a machine really resonated with me along with an appreciation towards quality movement through function and seeking performance.
Looking at the body as a network with a more wholistic approach helped enable me to broaden my understanding and pull on different training philosophies to apply to clients as needed. Early on I enjoyed the CrossFit method both as a competitive training tool for myself, as well as an expression of exercise to provide clientele with optimal health and a boarded range of fitness.
This meant transitioning from the conventional gym world and opening up our functional training space first known as CrossFit Brawn and now Brawn Fitness. Here the vision of community driven hard work centered around strength and conditioning came to fruition.
Fast forward 10 successful years since opening our doors and working with hundreds of people, we carry on our mission under a revamped model and evolution on what we initially set out to do. That is using our philosophy of hybrid training to create real results across a broad range of metrics. The benefit of having time in the game is that you can see what works and what doesn’t, you can pivot, adapt, or change when needed. Through this we have found that perfect harmony for what I believe is key to great coaching and delivering sustained fitness. That is by developing strong connections, achieving real tangible results, and ultimately providing a reason for people to train by not just reinforcing their why, but through achieving lifelong habits of health. Our members work hard, but enjoy doing so knowing they’re developing results for life.
I am continually blown away by what our members accomplish within our walls, and I am filled with the upmost pride that I have had a hand in that. Coaching has always been more than a job for me, through a clients, members, friends success my goals are achieved.
My Fitness jouney:
For me fitness is freedom. I have always gravitated towards a ‘put in the work, and the results will follow’ mindset and enjoy the experimental process of using differing training stimuluses to achieve a variety of fitness outcomes. Training for me is about having the capacity to lift a heavy barbell, go for a long run, move with virtuosity and be able to do everything in between. For the longest time I’ve employed forms of functional fitness, be it Crossfit, strength and conditioning or what we call hybrid training. This approach has allowed me to reach a broad range of markers and usually with it different challenges or events to keep me accountable along the way.
These days I utilise the same principles as my goals have stayed the same. However, as a father of two little ones, I gravitate towards efficiency. I want to be a positive role model for them and model a relationship with fitness as a lifestyle. I also want to highlight to those in a similar phase of life, that plenty can still be achieved in a time efficient manner given the right intent.
Qualifications
Personal training/coaching since 2007
CrossFit Affiliated gym opened 2013.
Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness (2006/07)
Crossfit Level 1 (May 2010)
Crossfit Level 2 (Sep 2016)
CrossFit Level 3 (June 2018)
Kelly Starrett Mobility 101 (2023)
ASCA strength and conditioning (2010)
CHEK scientific core, back and program design (2009)
CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach (2008)
NLP/TLT certified (Dec 2009)
Pre and post natal (2008)
Punchfit (2008)
Senior first aid (annually)
m: 0401 764 432
e: [email protected]
My fitness career started in 2007 working as a personal trainer in the franchise gym space. Pretty early on I could see the shift that was about to take place within the application and delivery of fitness as a whole. The notion of moving your body rather than just a machine really resonated with me along with an appreciation towards quality movement through function and seeking performance.
Looking at the body as a network with a more wholistic approach helped enable me to broaden my understanding and pull on different training philosophies to apply to clients as needed. Early on I enjoyed the CrossFit method both as a competitive training tool for myself, as well as an expression of exercise to provide clientele with optimal health and a boarded range of fitness.
This meant transitioning from the conventional gym world and opening up our functional training space first known as CrossFit Brawn and now Brawn Fitness. Here the vision of community driven hard work centered around strength and conditioning came to fruition.
Fast forward 10 successful years since opening our doors and working with hundreds of people, we carry on our mission under a revamped model and evolution on what we initially set out to do. That is using our philosophy of hybrid training to create real results across a broad range of metrics. The benefit of having time in the game is that you can see what works and what doesn’t, you can pivot, adapt, or change when needed. Through this we have found that perfect harmony for what I believe is key to great coaching and delivering sustained fitness. That is by developing strong connections, achieving real tangible results, and ultimately providing a reason for people to train by not just reinforcing their why, but through achieving lifelong habits of health. Our members work hard, but enjoy doing so knowing they’re developing results for life.
I am continually blown away by what our members accomplish within our walls, and I am filled with the upmost pride that I have had a hand in that. Coaching has always been more than a job for me, through a clients, members, friends success my goals are achieved.
My Fitness jouney:
For me fitness is freedom. I have always gravitated towards a ‘put in the work, and the results will follow’ mindset and enjoy the experimental process of using differing training stimuluses to achieve a variety of fitness outcomes. Training for me is about having the capacity to lift a heavy barbell, go for a long run, move with virtuosity and be able to do everything in between. For the longest time I’ve employed forms of functional fitness, be it Crossfit, strength and conditioning or what we call hybrid training. This approach has allowed me to reach a broad range of markers and usually with it different challenges or events to keep me accountable along the way.
These days I utilise the same principles as my goals have stayed the same. However, as a father of two little ones, I gravitate towards efficiency. I want to be a positive role model for them and model a relationship with fitness as a lifestyle. I also want to highlight to those in a similar phase of life, that plenty can still be achieved in a time efficient manner given the right intent.
Qualifications
Personal training/coaching since 2007
CrossFit Affiliated gym opened 2013.
Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness (2006/07)
Crossfit Level 1 (May 2010)
Crossfit Level 2 (Sep 2016)
CrossFit Level 3 (June 2018)
Kelly Starrett Mobility 101 (2023)
ASCA strength and conditioning (2010)
CHEK scientific core, back and program design (2009)
CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach (2008)
NLP/TLT certified (Dec 2009)
Pre and post natal (2008)
Punchfit (2008)
Senior first aid (annually)
m: 0401 764 432
e: [email protected]
Janelle Daszkowski - Coach
My background is a Specialist Nurse by trade since 2010. However, over the last few years my goals and passion have shifted towards helping people before they need to see me in a clinical setting.
As a parent of two children myself the commitment not only to our own health and fitness but our children’s is truly an investment. Our own future and children’s future is a beautiful, arduous and amazingly complex path. I want to help be able to potentially improve our quality of life, but also have the opportunity to educate, support and shape lives, so we can help ourselves and this next generation build a positive connection to both health and fitness – all while lifting heavy stuff along the way!
I have completed my CF-L1 , CrossFit Kids Course, Certificate III (and finishing IV ) in Fitness, Women’s Physiology in Training Course (pre and post partum), Certificate III as a Community Worker, Certificate IV in Business from UNISA, Diploma of Nursing, still currently practising and registered with APHRA. I also have a massive love and passion for all specialised courses, be that CrossFit Kids, Adaptive, Disability, Longevity, Chronic Disease, Obesity!
My background is a Specialist Nurse by trade since 2010. However, over the last few years my goals and passion have shifted towards helping people before they need to see me in a clinical setting.
As a parent of two children myself the commitment not only to our own health and fitness but our children’s is truly an investment. Our own future and children’s future is a beautiful, arduous and amazingly complex path. I want to help be able to potentially improve our quality of life, but also have the opportunity to educate, support and shape lives, so we can help ourselves and this next generation build a positive connection to both health and fitness – all while lifting heavy stuff along the way!
I have completed my CF-L1 , CrossFit Kids Course, Certificate III (and finishing IV ) in Fitness, Women’s Physiology in Training Course (pre and post partum), Certificate III as a Community Worker, Certificate IV in Business from UNISA, Diploma of Nursing, still currently practising and registered with APHRA. I also have a massive love and passion for all specialised courses, be that CrossFit Kids, Adaptive, Disability, Longevity, Chronic Disease, Obesity!
Carly Smit - Coach
We’re excited to announce that we have added Carly Smit to our coaching team. Carly brings along a wealth of experience and a knowledge base that will make her a much welcomed inclusion to Brawn!
A bit from our newest coach…
G’day everyone!
I’m Carly I enjoy throwing around barbells, spending time with my nearest and dearest, consuming cheese and wine, and having a good laugh.
I’ve been in the fitness industry for over 10 years and involved in CrossFit and competing in Olympic Weightlifting for about 5 years now. I’ve dipped my toes into bodybuilding and powerlifting, owning my own gym, working entirely online, and teaching Certificate III & IV in Fitness. Due to the latter, I tend to place a heavy emphasis on education and “why" when coaching.
I also have a heavy interest in nutrition and I’m very passionate about helping people both love food again and learn to use it as fuel to enhance their training life. I think that training and nourishing our bodies with good food are the most powerful vessels for self-love, empowerment and discipline there is.
Despite loving performance and competing - my favourite thing about fitness is how accessible it is for everyone. I love the variety of personalities it attracts and the way it brings people together!
Qualifications:
• Certificates III & IV in Fitness
• Aus Weightlifting Federation Club Weightlifting / Sports Power Coach Level 1
• Bachelor of Health Sciences in Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine in progress
A bit from our newest coach…
G’day everyone!
I’m Carly I enjoy throwing around barbells, spending time with my nearest and dearest, consuming cheese and wine, and having a good laugh.
I’ve been in the fitness industry for over 10 years and involved in CrossFit and competing in Olympic Weightlifting for about 5 years now. I’ve dipped my toes into bodybuilding and powerlifting, owning my own gym, working entirely online, and teaching Certificate III & IV in Fitness. Due to the latter, I tend to place a heavy emphasis on education and “why" when coaching.
I also have a heavy interest in nutrition and I’m very passionate about helping people both love food again and learn to use it as fuel to enhance their training life. I think that training and nourishing our bodies with good food are the most powerful vessels for self-love, empowerment and discipline there is.
Despite loving performance and competing - my favourite thing about fitness is how accessible it is for everyone. I love the variety of personalities it attracts and the way it brings people together!
Qualifications:
• Certificates III & IV in Fitness
• Aus Weightlifting Federation Club Weightlifting / Sports Power Coach Level 1
• Bachelor of Health Sciences in Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine in progress
Lousie Jolley - Coach
Our resident triathlete superstar and Sweat coach.
Our resident triathlete superstar and Sweat coach.
Francis Briard - Coach
We warmly welcome our newest coach Francis to the Brawn team. All the way from Canada, temporarily down under with wife as she completes a 1 year placement at the RAH.
Francis has had a unique scope of seeing health and fitness through a different lens, also working as a General Practitioner back home with a broad range of clientele.
Fitness and sport has been a passion of his since an early age. Francis had competed at a high level in CrossFit as well Ice hockey for over 10 years.
“It goes without saying that helping others discover the optimal version of themself through health and fitness and making sure they enjoy their experience is my ultimate goal.”
Qualifications:
Doctor of Medicine, M.D.
DEC Health Sciences
Crossfit Level 2 Trainer Certificate (CF-L2)
We warmly welcome our newest coach Francis to the Brawn team. All the way from Canada, temporarily down under with wife as she completes a 1 year placement at the RAH.
Francis has had a unique scope of seeing health and fitness through a different lens, also working as a General Practitioner back home with a broad range of clientele.
Fitness and sport has been a passion of his since an early age. Francis had competed at a high level in CrossFit as well Ice hockey for over 10 years.
“It goes without saying that helping others discover the optimal version of themself through health and fitness and making sure they enjoy their experience is my ultimate goal.”
Qualifications:
Doctor of Medicine, M.D.
DEC Health Sciences
Crossfit Level 2 Trainer Certificate (CF-L2)
