Hi everyone and happy Monday!
I have some big news about Slate that I am excited to share with you. Slate will be expanding its team in a big way on July 1st by bringing on a new partner and head coach! For the past several months, Karny and I have been undergoing a patient search to find a full-time head coach and business partner to come on board to continue to guide Slate forward. After much diligence and hard work, I’m happy to say that we’ve found that person.
When I first met Clay, I chuckled when his 6’4” self told me that he loved T2B and HSPU. And then he went and did about a bajillion of them unbroken. Over time, Karny and I learned about his extensive knowledge and 7+ years experience working at CrossFit gyms in both the US and in Asia. While he certainly has the skills needed to help us all grow and reach our goals, most important are all of reasons he fell in love with Slate.
Slate takes pride in our mission to provide a place that is encouraging, supportive, challenging, and educational. These are the reasons Clay mentioned why he was drawn to Slate as a client. When he approached us as a candidate in our search, he wanted to bring his passion, experience and fun to Slate as an owner and head coach to continue that tradition.
Starting on July 1st, Clay will become Slate’s head coach, a role I’ve had for the past four years. I will remain as both a part-time coach and a part owner, invested as always in the day-to-day classes and fun. I’m excited for this change and am looking forward to being at the gym in my new role. There will be schedule changes and some shuffling so keep your eye peeled on the website as we get closer to July. As always, if any of you have any questions please feel free to let me or Clay know! – Jared Putman
From Clay:
“Hi everyone, I am both extremely excited and thankful for this opportunity. I look forward to helping each and every one of you and continuing to grow Slate into a bigger and better community.
A bit of an introduction for those who I haven’t met yet: I joined my first CrossFit gym in 2008 where the style of exercise immediately became my passion. I received my CrossFit Level 1 certification in January 2010 and I’ve been coaching ever since. I have coached for the past 7 years in at CrossFit West Jax in Jacksonville, FL and at Reebok CrossFit Asia in Okinawa, Japan. In addition to coaching, I’ve also been blessed to compete at the regional level for several years both as an individual and on team.
When I moved to Seattle with my family, I tried out several gyms before finding a gym home at Slate. The people were warm and friendly, the coaches knew their stuff and the place was amazing. I am very excited to come on board the team in order to help you reach their goals. I’m very much looking forward to meeting each and everyone of you in person.”
– Clay Braden