MEMBER & COACH FEATURE: Trenna Gessell

From Competitor to Coach: Welcoming Trenna to the CFCL Coaching Team!

Whether she’s flying through gymnastics transitions, ripping heavy snatches off the floor, or tending to her animals on the farm, Trenna Gessell brings an elite mindset and an unstoppable work ethic to CrossFit CL. As a competitor aiming for the top, Trenna understands that true progress comes from loving the process and mastering the connection between mind, body, and training. Now, she is taking her journey to the next level by officially joining the CFCL coaching team!

Where It All Began

Long before she ever stepped foot into a CrossFit box, Trenna was building a diverse athletic foundation through gymnastics, hockey, and cross-country running. Off the gym floor, her roots run deep on the farm. She is a true animal lover who cares for a mini-menagerie of two dogs, two cats, and chickens—and having grown up around horses, she still rides to this day.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it brought a unique turning point for her fitness. Her mom was already doing CrossFit, so Trenna decided to start working out right alongside her. She was instantly hooked from day one.

"I loved it, I loved the feeling of setting goals in the gym and reaching them."

The CrossFit Journey

From the very beginning, Trenna’s ultimate drive has been to compete, and that fire burns just as bright today. However, her perspective has matured over the years as she has fully immersed herself in the community.

"My goal even from when I first started was to compete, which is still true. But my goals have also changed to learning more about the sport and enjoying the process of training."

That dedication to the process has yielded some incredible milestones. Most recently, she crushed the 26.3 Open workout. She places 16th in the world on that workout, and ended the CrossFit open in 14th overall - worldwide!

"I was so happy with my performance in 26.3! I had lots of support from the gym during the workout and felt very proud of the result."

If you ask her what she loves to do most, her answers trace right back to her roots: any gymnastics and Olympic weightlifting top her list. In fact, if she were to design her absolute dream Workout of the Day (WOD), it would feature a high-skill, high-power combination of handstand walks, muscle ups, and heavy squat cleans.

Of course, training at that level comes with its tough days, but Trenna relies on her internal drive and a deep appreciation for the daily grind to keep showing up.

"My goals definitely motivate me, and I also just love coming to the gym and enjoy working out."

Community, Motivation & Advice

A major piece of what keeps Trenna thriving is the environment surrounding her at CrossFit CL. The community keeps her inspired, and she thrives on the collective energy of the room.

"I love the supportive environment, and I always feel so motivated to work hard when I come through the doors."

Over the years, she has also realized that performing well on the leaderboard means taking care of herself completely outside of the gym walls. When it comes to the Five Factors—Eat, Sleep, Move, Think, and Connect—she views them as pieces of a larger puzzle.

"I’ve definitely had to learn over the years how interconnected these factors are and how they all play a role in my training."

For anyone who is just stepping onto the floor to start their own fitness journey, Trenna offers a vital piece of advice to keep your mindset locked in.

"Maybe it’s cliche, but you can’t compare your progress to anyone else’s. Especially as a competitor, it will only take away from your performance instead of adding to it."

A New Chapter: Stepping Into a Coaching Role

Already a familiar powerhouse on the leaderboard, Trenna is now stepping onto the floor in a brand-new capacity. Driven by a deep love for CrossFit and weightlifting, she wanted to see the sport from a completely new angle and find a way to give back to the community that supported her.

"I wanted to learn more about what goes into an athlete from a coaches perspective and how I can help every person in the gym to the best of my ability. I also just love CrossFit and Weightlifting."

An Encouraging, "Give It Your All" Approach

While she admits she is still evolving as a leader and establishing her exact footprint on the floor, her core coaching philosophy is centered on hard work, breaking mental barriers, and finding joy in the challenge.

"I’m definitely new to coaching still, so still figuring that out haha. But I’d say I want every athlete to give everything they have into training each day and to have fun."

Ultimately, she wants to guide members to realize exactly what they are capable of achieving when they push past comfort zones.

"I hope they do something that challenges them each class, and know the reward of doing things you didn’t think you could!"

What’s Next for Coach Trenna?

While you will still see her training hard for her own upcoming competitive CrossFit & weightlifting season, she is equally excited to absorb everything she can from the coach's box.

"I’m excited to learn lots and hopefully apply what I’ve learned to my own lifting."

Next time you see Trenna rocking the coach's clock, be sure to say hello, welcome her to the team, and celebrate this awesome milestone with her!