Shaela Karlberg

My CrossFit journey began in 2021, and it was completely by accident. I was teaching in a town of only 400 people and had never laid a hand on a barbell. Feeling cooped up after lockdown, I decided to check out the only gym in town. On my second day, we tackled the workout "Murph." I didn't know what I was getting into, but running that second mile brought this intoxicating mix of pain and joy. I think I threw up on my way home... and I’ve never looked back.

As a former 400m hurdler and competitive Ultimate Frisbee player, I didn't realize how much I missed that feeling of giving it my absolute all. CrossFit brought that back. But what truly sets it apart is the community; it just wouldn’t be the same without the incredible people I get to train with every day.

Coaching has always felt like second nature to me—I’m a former teacher, track coach, basketball coach, you name it! My goal is to empower athletes to dig deep and discover new potential. I believe it’s an honor to balance relationships with technique to help people reach their goals and to instill a confidence that challenges them to believe in their own abilities. The power of good coaching can change people's lives, and I live for the shared joy we create on that journey together.

My coaching journey has taken me, quite literally, around the world. I started coaching at Metronome CrossFit in Prague (which I moved to on a whim in 2022, which is how I do most things in life - full send), brought me back to Utah (SLC CrossFit) and then back ‘home’ in the Flathead Valley.

When I’m not at the gym, I’m working my dream job as a therapist specializing in complex trauma and attachment—it’s a lot like coaching, usually just with more tears and less sweat! Outside of work, I love to travel, and have trekked 500+ miles across the European Alps and visited more than 20 countries abroad, while also exploring our local terrain with my husband, backpacking, biking, boating and skiing. I am a former corn-eating champion, several times over (yes, you read that right) and middle school clarinet player. Today, my life is fueled by hot coffee, early morning walks, and my 25-pound, 15-year-old cat, Oden.

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