OUR
STORY
Gnarl·y :(ˈnärlē/ )- something or someone awesome, cool, excellent, wonderful, amazing, radical, incredible, tough, great, intense, extreme, or fantastic.
🧬 OUR STORY
Gnarly Fit was built by athletes — for athletes — with a deep understanding that everyone starts somewhere.
Long before the gym, the apparel, or the media brand, there was a simple truth driving everything we did: fitness changes lives. Not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and socially. Training builds confidence. Structure creates purpose. Community gives people a place to belong.
After more than a decade immersed in fitness — training, competing, coaching, and working within the industry — we knew that if we were ever going to open our own facility, it couldn’t be average. It had to feel different the moment you walked through the doors. Environment is everything, and Gnarly Fit was designed to be a training ground where intensity and inclusivity coexist.
This is a place where seasoned athletes push their limits daily — and where newcomers feel welcomed, supported, and inspired to find their own love for fitness. 💪
🏋️♂️ A TRAINING GROUND, NOT JUST A GYM
At our core, we are athletes who love to train. We believe in hard work, discipline, and chasing uncomfortable goals — but we also believe that fitness should be approachable, empowering, and sustainable.
Whether your goal is:
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Losing or gaining weight
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Building strength or endurance
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Competing at a high level
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Improving your health
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Relieving stress
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Or simply finding your people
Gnarly Fit was built to support every stage of the journey.
Our community is filled with people who genuinely love fitness — people who show up, work hard, and inspire those around them simply by being consistent and authentic. That energy is contagious, and it’s what makes this place special. 🖤
🔁 FUNCTIONAL FITNESS AT OUR CORE
We are proud to be a Mayhem affiliate and strong believers in functional fitness. We love the methodology, the structure, and the culture it builds. Functional training teaches people how to move well, build real strength, and develop capacity that carries over into everyday life.
We believe in Mayhem because it aligns with how we train, how we coach, and how we live — with intention, consistency, and purpose.
🏁 HYROX: OUR PASSION & OUR PEOPLE
HYROX is more than a race to us — it’s a lifestyle and a community we deeply believe in. We are an official HYROX affiliate gym, and our passion for hybrid fitness runs through everything we do.
The combination of strength, endurance, grit, and mental toughness speaks to who we are and how we train. We’ve built programs, classes, and apparel lines around this style of training because we’ve seen firsthand how HYROX transforms people — not just into better athletes, but into more confident, resilient individuals. 🔥
We proudly carry HYROX-inspired apparel alongside collections like Lights Out and Legacy, each designed to represent a different side of the Gnarly mindset.
👕 GNARLY FIT APPAREL
Gnarly Fit Apparel was born from the same standards we apply to our training.
Every piece is custom cut, designed, and tested to:
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Perform during the hardest workouts
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Look great inside and outside the gym
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Represent the mentality we live by
This isn’t generic gym wear — it’s apparel built by people who train hard, compete, and demand more from their gear.
🥗 NUTRITION COACHING THAT MEETS YOU WHERE YOU ARE
Training is only part of the equation. Nutrition is the foundation.
We offer comprehensive nutrition coaching, including:
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General lifestyle and body composition coaching
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Performance-based nutrition
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Bodybuilding and contest prep nutrition coaching
Our approach is educational, personalized, and realistic. We don’t believe in extremes — we believe in sustainable systems that fit your life while still driving results. Whether you’re stepping on stage or simply trying to feel better day to day, we meet you where you are and guide you forward. 📈
🎥 THE LAUNCH OF VISION CONTENT CO.
As athletes, coaches, and gym owners, we saw something missing in the fitness space: authentic storytelling.
VISION Content Co. was launched to capture the moments that matter — the preparation, the nerves, the struggle, the breakthroughs, and the emotion behind competition and training. We specialize in athlete-first storytelling for hybrid fitness, bodybuilding, and competitive events, creating content that goes beyond highlight reels.
We don’t just document performance — we tell stories that inspire people to take action.
🧠 WHAT REALLY MAKES GNARLY FIT DIFFERENT
What sets Gnarly Fit apart isn’t just our equipment, programming, apparel, or media.
It’s our people.
It’s the athlete grinding next to a first-timer and cheering them on.
It’s the environment that pushes you without intimidating you.
It’s the belief that anyone willing to show up and put in the work belongs here.
We are a brand, a gym, and a community built on effort, authenticity, and connection. We train hard. We support each other. We inspire people to find their version of strength — and then help them chase it relentlessly. 🚀
This is Gnarly Fit.
And once you’re here, you’re part of it.
The TEAM
Jesse DeLavern
Owner
HYROX Coach
B.S. Exercise Science
NASM Certified Nutrition Coach
Bodybuilding Contest Prep Coach
Born and raised in Plainwell, Michigan, Jesse has been an athlete his entire life. In high school, he competed in soccer, track, cross country, and swimming, while also pursuing snowboarding, surfing, motocross, and bodybuilding — where he became a multi-show winning competitor. His passion for performance and training led him to graduate from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science.
Jesse’s career began in bodybuilding as both an athlete and prep coach, guiding competitors to the stage with proven systems for training, nutrition, and mindset. Over the years, his vision expanded beyond bodybuilding into a multi-faceted approach to fitness and community building.
Today, Jesse is the owner and head coach of Gnarly Fit, a one-of-a-kind training facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The gym is home to Gnarly60, a signature functional fitness class that follows Mayhem Affiliate Programming and it blends barbell strength, conditioning, and skill work in an accessible but challenging format. Jesse is also a dedicated HYROX and GNARLY60 coach, and Gnarly Fit is proud to be one of the only official HYROX affiliate gyms in Southwest Michigan, preparing athletes for the unique combination of endurance and strength that HYROX demands. He continues to coach bodybuilding contest prep athletes, carrying forward his roots in physique sport with a modern, evidence-based approach.
In addition to coaching, Jesse founded Gnarly Vision, the creative and media branch of Gnarly Fit. Gnarly Vision produces professional event coverage, behind-the-scenes storytelling, and promotional content for athletes and brands. The Gnarly Fit YouTube channel is the hub for long-form storytelling, including athlete features, event coverage, and the ongoing Gnarly Fit Chronicles series.
Gnarly Fit also extends into lifestyle and performance apparel, with custom collections that reflect the culture, grit, and identity of the community Jesse has built.
With decades of athletic experience, a deep foundation in exercise science, and an entrepreneurial drive, Jesse is building more than a gym — he’s creating a movement that fuses fitness, media, and culture into one vision: to inspire, connect, and push people to be their very best.
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Gaby Owens
GNARLY60 Coach
IFBB Women's Physique Pro
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Gaby Owens is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer with a lifelong passion for fitness. As an athlete for most of her life and a mother of two, Gaby's commitment to a healthy lifestyle runs deep. She holds the prestigious title of IFBB Women’s Physique Pro, a testament to her dedication to competitive athletics for over two decades, specializing in bodybuilding for the past 15 years.
Throughout her fitness journey, Gaby obtained her certification as a personal trainer, dedicating the last decade to training a diverse range of clients. Her expertise spans from mobility and functional movement patterns to body recomposition and strength training. Gaby is driven by a genuine desire to witness her clients succeed, providing guidance, encouragement, and motivation to help them achieve their goals.
Regardless of your age, fitness experience, or fitness goals, Gaby will serve as both a cheerleader and coach on your journey to feeling, looking, and being your best self.
Michael Collier
HYROX Coach
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Precision Nutrition Certified Nutrition Coach
Functional Movement Systems Certified- FMS 1/ SFMA 1 & 2
ISSA Certified Kickboxing Instructor
My fitness journey started early after seeing the movie Karate Kid. The scene at the end where he wins the trophy, has a cute girlfriend, and everyone is cheering…I was thinking, “Sign me up!” From there I would go on to compete in local, state, and national level competitions before opening my own dojo and teaching while attending Western Michigan University.
I maintained my fitness as I graduated from WMU then went into law enforcement and after years of working night shifts, work stress, and life events like getting married, having children, and all of the other things, found myself not prioritizing my health and getting more and more out of shape.
Then in my early forties, and 70 pounds overweight, I finally had enough. I got winded climbing a flight of stairs, lost my self confidence, and felt trapped in my own body. It was time to make a change. I spent years getting myself back in shape while trying every fad diet, workout program, and shiny new gadget, until finally developing a program that would work for my goals, my schedule, and my lifestyle.
However, I knew that if I wanted to keep my progress, that I would need to be held accountable. And, that’s why I became a personal trainer. Knowing that no one wants to work with a personal trainer that doesn’t look the part or practice what they preach was the accountability piece that I needed to keep me in shape. Now, I love helping other people do the same thing, whether they’re finding fitness for the first time, or regaining their health to become the best version of themselves.
I have a passion for my athletes to achieve their goals, whether it’s a weight loss or strength goal, participating in their first 5K race, or just feeling and moving better now and as they get older. I want them to have an improved quality of life in every aspect.
Julia Mellinger
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Raised locally in Portage, Michigan, Julia has been an athlete her entire life. A lifelong soccer player, she competed through college and continues to play recreationally today. After her soccer career ended, she turned to weightlifting, not to replace athletics, but to continue challenging her body and mind in a meaningful way. What started as a way to stay active quickly became a passion for strength, performance, and personal growth.
While studying Fitness Management in college, Julia discovered her love for the science behind training through courses like kinesiology. Resistance training became both a practical extension of her education and a powerful tool for mental health, confidence, and self-development. Fascinated by how the human body adapts, recovers, and grows stronger, she knew coaching was a natural path, especially with her lifelong desire to help others.
Over the past several years, Julia has coached a wide range of clients, from complete beginners with no training foundation to high-level athletes pursuing professional competition. She thrives in both environments, whether she’s teaching fundamental movement patterns or providing structure and direction for athletes refining their performance.
Her coaching style is deeply rooted in science-based training, individualized programming, and long-term sustainability. While hypertrophy training is her personal favorite, she values experiencing and applying multiple training styles to better serve each individual.
Above all, Julia believes that progress comes from committing to consistent effort, informed decisions, and patience over time. Her goal is to empower clients with knowledge, confidence, and the tools to build strength that lasts far beyond the gym.
Casey Graybeal
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
I grew up in Mattawan playing every sport possible, excelling in baseball and football. Though fitness was not my life, I have always been an athlete. My athleticism helped me excel in my first profession as a carpenter and bridge builder. I learned how to meet deadlines and reach goals in high-pressure situations. Work ethic, determination, and grit are in my DNA. I bring that same dedication and tenacity to my new profession as a NASM certified personal trainer.
Fitness was the lifeline given to a drowning man. It’s given me purpose and passion and I am very serious about having fun with it. My specialties include building strength without size, progressive overload and superset programming, powerlifting, and regulating the nervous system through fitness. I have a knack for bringing out your inner beast to help you reach your goals. As your trainer, I will put as much into you as you’re willing to put into yourself! Let’s grow together!
Rachael DeLavern
Owner
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
HYROX Coach
Rachael was born in Toronto, Canada in 1992 and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. From an early age, she developed a competitive spirit and a passion for movement, playing both volleyball and soccer throughout her youth. As a standout athlete at Rogers High School, Rachael was a four-year varsity soccer captain, known for her leadership, grit, and relentless drive to win.
Since relocating to Kalamazoo in 2015, Rachael has continued to leave her mark in the fitness world. She began her career as a Certified Personal Trainer and Group Class Instructor, helping clients build confidence, strength, and structure both in and out of the gym. Over the years, she’s guided numerous successful client transformations, combining mindset coaching with physical training to help individuals unlock their full potential.
Rachael is now a Certified HYROX Coach, actively coaching at Gnarly Fit and competing in HYROX events and functional fitness competitions herself. She leads by example—bringing an unmatched energy and accountability to her coaching while continuing to chase her own athletic goals. You’ll often find her training with the crew, dominating a partner WOD, or pushing the pace in a mock race simulation.
Beyond fitness, Rachael is also a highly skilled creative in the media space. She plays a vital role in Gnarly VISION, where she helps bring the brand to life through photo, video, and social storytelling. Whether it’s writing training programs, managing campaigns, or curating visuals—her eye for detail and deep understanding of the fitness world make her a creative force behind the scenes.
In 2021, she launched Project Give, a charitable initiative focused on giving back through local fundraising events. She manages community efforts that support Feed the Children, medical missions, and food pantry drives—reflecting her heart for service and belief in using fitness as a platform to do more good.
Whether she’s on the competition floor or behind a camera lens, Rachael embodies what it means to grind with purpose and lead with heart. She’s a walking example of balance—discipline and creativity, strength and service.
Cheyenne Schirk
ACSM Certified Personal Trainer
CrossFit Level 1 & 2 Trainer
Level 1 Precision Nutrition
Level 1 YogaFit
ACE Stretching and Flexibility
Cheyenne was born and raised in Three Rivers and now resides in Otsego with her husband and 2 kitties. Cheyenne has been active her whole life, partaking in Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, and Track in High School then continuing her fitness journey through CrossFit training.
Cheyenne graduated from Michigan State University with her Bachelors in Kinesiology. She has extensive experience in health and wellness, bringing a well-rounded approach to helping people achieve their goals. Her background spans Personal Training, CrossFit, Yoga, Nutrition Coaching, and wellness programming, giving her the tools to create programs that are both effective and sustainable.
With a passion for health and fitness, Cheyenne focuses on building strength, confidence, and lasting healthy habits. Her goal is to help you perform at your best—in and out of the gym.
Jake Kerwin
Outlaw Barbell Club Coach
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
USAW L1
Born in Kalamazoo, I played football & basketball at Mattawan High School and played football at Hope College from 1997-2001. I fell in love with strength training during the offseason. Eventually, I gravitated toward barbell training and specifically the sport of Olympic weightlifting in 2011. A few years later, I obtained a USAW L1 certificate and partnered with another trainer to open my very own weightlifting/sports performance gym called West Michigan Muscle.
We stressed the importance of power training and its carryover to sports and also improving functional strength for all ages. We ran after-school strength training classes at a few local high schools, and we also had a weightlifting club that competed and earned medals at both the national and international level.
My trainer skills include:
Competitive weightlifting and powerlifting coach
Training athletes for power and
explosivity
Improving functional strength and
cardiovascular health for adults
Planning nutrition
Fat loss training
Online Programming
1-on-1 Training
Small Group Training
Mobility Specialist
Matt Vanderslik
GNARLY60 Coach
Coach Slik grew up in Kalamazoo. He spent his childhood playing and competing in every sport he could. He played golf, baseball, basketball, hockey, and football. He excelled in golf and baseball in high school and he was always first to practice and the last to leave. Hard work has always been in his DNA.
After high school, deciding to chase a dream, he moved to Florida to play professional golf. As he tried to play competitively, he started to be coached by a professional that had a degree in biomechanics. Not only was he learning how to swing the golf club but he was learning how the body moved. Finding ways to move the way the body intended and constantly chased the most efficient ways to move. Playing turned out to be much harder than anticipated but found he enjoyed helping and teaching others the fundamentals he had learned.
In 2017, Slik found CrossFit. Not only did he fall in love with the community, but became obsessed with the challenge. Constantly finding more efficient ways to improve movement patterns and strategies for pacing all types of workouts. With the passion for helping others, Slik grabbed the PVC and shared all the time and extra work he had put in with his beloved Gnarly community. He is working to obtain his L-1 and Hyrox Performance Certificate.
Stephanie Scott
Corrective Exercise Specialist
Stephanie Scott is a corrective exercise specialist, certified by the American Council on Exercise as a group fitness trainer with extensive education and certifications in adaptive movement, barre, Pilates, yoga and pelvic floor rehabilitation.
With an education and a focus on trauma-informed fitness coaching, Stephanie focuses on your health journey from a holistic perspective, digging into the root causes of pain, injury and instability – as well as identifying emotional and mental blocks to help all students reach their highest potential.
Kyle Powers
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
dotFIT Certified Nutrition Coach
Born and raised in West Haven, Connecticut, Kyle has always lived life with energy and adventure at the forefront. Since moving to Kalamazoo in 2021, he’s brought that same drive and passion into his career as a fitness professional.
A NASM Certified Personal Trainer for over a decade, with specialties in Weight Loss and dotFIT Nutrition, Kyle builds programs that push limits, build real strength, and prepare the body for both gym performance and everyday challenges. His approach is grounded in building strength and functional movement, helping people move with power, confidence, and resilience.
What fuels him most is seeing clients achieve what they once felt was impossible. His mission is simple: to challenge you, educate you, and help you become the strongest version of yourself in and out of the gym.