Sonja Rootvik

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer

I was born and raised in Walla Walla, and played a number of sports in high school and college. I’ve always spent my summers commercial fishing in Alaska, where I learned grit, manual labor, and the need for functional fitness. I never was satisfied with the fitness industry’s superficial focus on appearance, dieting, and being “skinny”, when I just wanted to feel strong and improve my abilities. In the fall of 2012 I climbed up onto a loading dock and first entered a gritty warehouse gym nicknamed “The Icebox,” and knew I had found what I’d been searching for.

At CrossFit I found a place of acceptance, encouragement, and inspiration, where everyone leaves their egos at the door because each workout is a humbling experience. Anyone, regardless of background or fitness level, gains the respect and support of everyone else they sweat next to during a WOD. We all give our best, see each other at our worst, and cheer each other on like the family we are. Not only does CrossFit train your body, it also trains your mental toughness, calls forth strength of character, and genuinely empowers you for life.

I got my CrossFit Level 1 Certificate in August 2016, and am excited to coach others along the journey to fitness. As a self-proclaimed “CrossFit Nerd” I am continually listening to podcasts, watching videos, reading articles, and gleaning tips from other boxes and athletes in order to broaden my CrossFit knowledge. I know that each body is different, that each person has their own strengths and weaknesses, and I am passionate about figuring out what works for each person and how to help everyone reach their goals. All you need is enough courage to walk in our doors, and I know that your life will change for the better!

Genie Huntemann

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

I was born and raised in Alaska, where tenacity and drive develop organically as you dodge moose while cross-country skiing through snow drifts on your way to school.  When I was 7, my neighbor recognized my love of rallying everyone to play games outside and took me along to t-ball sign ups with her son. I credit this kind lady with launching my career in organized sports that streamlined into playing soccer in college here at Whitman in Walla Walla.  I’ve had a few hiatuses to other places over the last twenty years, but have spent most of those years in Walla Walla, first as a fifth grade teacher and now for several years teaching English at our alternative high school.

I discovered CrossFit after years of throwing strength into my workouts willy-nilly and without much real enjoyment. Oh how I wish I’d found it long ago! The community is unlike any type of other gym setting. The competition is healthy and inspiring.  The positive power that one walks away with every single day is renewing and builds such confidence that translates to the rest of life. I have coached soccer for years, and love the mentoring piece, so I decided in the summer of 2018 to go for my Level 1 and join our phenomenal coaching staff.  I’ve also dreamed of working a CrossFit program into my high school, especially for my students in recovery and the ones working on harm reduction, as something different that they can call their own. We are starting small and using basic equipment, but I have a handful of students showing up before school starts every day, and I am so excited to see where we can go.

Erika Rootvik

CrossFit level 1 trainer

I have been doing CrossFit with my lovely wife, Nikki Sharp, since 2012.  A few years ago I decided to get my Crossfit L1 coaches certification with my sister Sonja who also coaches here at Destination CrossFit. I love the Destination Crossfit family and the culture of CrossFit in general.  I love what Coach Glassman originally created with CrossFit, and the direction Eric Roza is going with it, making CrossFit more inclusive and accessible.  I love the opportunity that I have to share these values and vision through coaching.  I am moved and motivated by the deeper experiences that occur in the box.  I love seeing people do more than they thought was possible and grow healthy and whole on levels that far exceed the aesthetic or the scoreboard.  I believe in building a life of fitness and I am in this for the long haul, expecting to be hitting PR’s when I am a grandma, just like I see my own mom doing.  

Michael Burnett

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

I am from Walla Walla and recently retired after 20 years as a Police Officer with the Walla Walla Police Department.  I was invited to try CrossFit by a friend (Tim Hollingsworth) who was a coach at the time. I did not know anything about CrossFit when I got started. I was about to turn 50 and my blood pressure was getting higher every year. I knew I needed to start taking better care of myself. Once I started CrossFit I was impressed by how fit everyone was, while also being helpful and friendly. I noticed my own fitness improved quicker than it ever had in the past. I am a fan of the sport of  CrossFit and enjoy watching the competitions. With that said, I believe the heart of CrossFit is the regular members like you and I who improve our health with CrossFit.

Some fun facts about me:

• My favorite snack is Lays potato chips.

• One of the goals I am working on is improving my mobility in my shoulders and upper back.

• In junior high and high school I was into cycling. 

• I am inspired by working with others and watching other people work hard to improve themselves.

Dana Walcker

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

I am from Walla Walla and before I began CrossFit, I defined fitness through powerlifting. I did a few powerlifting competitions, and at one point I held Washington state records for squat, bench and deadlift in my weight class. I decided to begin training others. While I enjoyed teaching and helping others work through compound movements, I felt like something was missing in my own fitness journey (it might be fun to lift heavy all the time, but if you can’t walk up a flight of stairs without thinking you are going to pass out you're missing something), which is why I decided to try CrossFit. I have never looked back. CrossFit has redefined how I approach fitness.  Not only do I love the workouts, movements and programming style, but the amazing community that comes with it. I become a CrossFit coach not only to move forward in my own fitness journey, but, more importantly, to help the members in our community do so too. 

Some fun facts about me:

• Sour patch kids are a must.

• I'd like to become more proficient with pull-ups, handstand pushups, handstand walks. Sometimes I pretend to work on my cardio. Always working on getting stronger.