COACH FEATURE: Julian Yang
From 11 years of CrossFit experience to soon stepping into a coaching role at CFCL—Julian’s journey has always been rooted in movement, learning, and connection.
If you’ve met Julian, you know he brings a calm confidence, strong work ethic, and easy friendliness to every class he’s part of. And in the coming months, you’ll start to see him in a new role—on the coaching floor.
A life built around movement
Julian grew up in South Korea, staying active from a young age. He practiced Taekwondo in childhood, picked up squash in middle school, and has always been drawn to physical challenges—skiing, hiking, swimming, and anything that keeps him moving.
Before moving to Saskatoon, he spent seven years working as a personal trainer, helping others build confidence through strength and fitness. He’s now continuing that learning as a Registered Massage Therapy student, deepening his understanding of movement, recovery, and injury prevention.
Discovering CrossFit—and sticking with it
Julian didn’t originally start CrossFit for himself—he began to support his partner at the time. But it didn’t take long for him to get hooked.
The intensity, the challenge, and the group energy quickly pulled him in. He found something different from a traditional gym—the ability to push past limits and experience that shift from “I can’t” to “I did.”
Eleven years later, he’s still showing up.
Finding CFCL—and what comes next
After moving from BC to Saskatoon, Julian arrived without many connections—but that changed quickly when he found CFCL.
“The members have been incredibly friendly and welcoming every time I step into the gym. Being part of this community has truly made me feel at home.”
Now, that sense of belonging is part of what’s motivating his next step.
A natural move into coaching
For Julian, stepping into a coaching role at CFCL feels like a natural progression.
With previous coaching experience and years of personal training behind him, this next chapter is about continuing to grow—while giving back to the community he’s become part of.
“It just felt like a natural step… a way to keep growing and contributing.”
He’s especially looking forward to connecting with more members, beyond the smaller group he typically sees during his own training times.
“I’m really excited to meet more people and build those connections.”
A coaching approach that meets you where you’re at
Julian’s approach is simple: one size doesn’t fit all.
He focuses on understanding each person’s starting point—then adapting movements and expectations to match. At the same time, he’s not afraid to challenge people when they’re ready for it.
“I meet people where they’re at… but I’m not afraid to push when they need it.”
His own journey—learning through both successes and mistakes—has shaped how he coaches, with a strong emphasis on proper movement, injury prevention, and long-term progress.
More than just a workout
For Julian, the goal of any class goes beyond the workout itself.
“I want members to walk out feeling better than when they came in—physically, mentally, or both.”
That’s the kind of environment he’s aiming to create: supportive, motivating, and grounded in progress that feels good.
Life outside the gym
Outside of training and school, Julian is a big animal lover—especially dogs. He once owned a French Bulldog and is always quick to volunteer if someone needs a dog sitter.
He also loves cooking and finds real joy in sharing meals with others:
“It’s such a joy to see my friends and family enjoying the meals I’ve made.”
Looking ahead
As Julian prepares to step into coaching over the next couple of months, his focus is clear:
To build strong relationships.
To create a supportive, challenging environment.
And to help people feel confident in their progress—while having fun along the way.
We’re excited to have Julian stepping into this role soon.