Meet the Kaos CrossFit Halifax Coaching Team
15 certified coaches in Halifax with credentials spanning CrossFit Level 1 through Level 3, HYROX, Olympic Weightlifting, NCCP, gymnastics, and clinical healthcare. Every class at Kaos is led by a credentialed coach. No self-led workouts.
Book Intro Class View ScheduleThe Kaos CrossFit Halifax Coaching Team at a Glance
Kaos CrossFit Halifax is coached by a team of 15 certified coaches: 2 owners and 13 lead coaches. Our credentials span CrossFit Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Trainers, a HYROX Academy L1 head coach plus four HYROX Foundations coaches, NCCP Olympic Weightlifting (Comp Dev), Catalyst Athletics Level 1 and Level 2, NCCP Level 2 Gymnastics, Powerlifting, plus active careers as a registered nurse, physiotherapist, firefighter, and former pro basketball player. Every CrossFit, HYROX, Olympic Weightlifting, and Open Gym class is coached by a credentialed member of our team.
Owners & Head Coaches
Shawn Quigley and Natalie Swart founded Kaos CrossFit in Bayers Lake to bring CrossFit to Halifax athletes of every level.
Shawn Quigley, CD
Shawn discovered CrossFit in 2021 during recovery from a serious 2019 heart incident and years of accumulated injuries. Training rebuilt his strength, confidence, and health. After retiring from a 22-year Canadian Armed Forces career, Shawn and Natalie founded Kaos CrossFit to bring the same transformation to Halifax. He coaches daily, leads programming at the gym, and holds HYROX Academy Level 1, the top HYROX coaching credential and rare in Atlantic Canada.
Natalie Swart
Born in Halifax, Natalie runs Kaos behind the scenes, managing budgets, daily operations, and member experience. A lifelong athlete (field hockey, tennis, swimming, then 5+ years teaching BodyPump at GoodLife), she discovered CrossFit in 2021 and fell in love with the community as much as the training. Outside the gym, she is usually with her dog Koa.
Coaching Team
Thirteen lead coaches at Kaos CrossFit Halifax, each bringing their own credentials, sports background, and approach to coaching.
Jason Bond
Jason started CrossFit in 2017 looking for the structure his traditional gym work lacked. Purposeful programming, focused nutrition, and a strong community led to real gains in strength and confidence. Now coaching at Kaos in Halifax, he helps members find that same long-term direction in their training.
Jean St-Amand
With a background in soccer, baseball, martial arts, and running, Jean has always been active. He found CrossFit at 40 in 2015 and made it a daily habit. Today he coaches CrossFit and Olympic Weightlifting at Kaos and hosts the Box Jumper Podcast on fitness, health, and long-term well-being.
Andrew White
Andrew started CrossFit in 2017 and quickly saw its value both professionally and personally. As a practicing physiotherapist with a kinesiology and personal training background, he focuses on injury-aware, functional movement that supports long-term health. At Kaos he helps members of all ages move better and train sustainably.
Jenson Gilby
Jenson brings athletic experience from rugby, hockey, and fastball plus a career as a military member and firefighter. He discovered CrossFit in 2008 to support that demanding work. His coaching prioritizes people, long-term health, and just the right amount of humor. A natural fit for the Kaos community.
Jane Vallee
Jane combines healthcare experience as a registered nurse with deep athletic credentials in gymnastics (NCCP Level 2) and springboard diving (Level 3). She started CrossFit in 2019 and began coaching at Kaos in 2024. Her coaching is precise, inclusive, and confidence-building for athletes of all ages and abilities.
Christie Webb
Christie’s fitness career started as a volunteer firefighter at 16. After Fire Rescue training in Newfoundland and a Kinesiology diploma from Holland College, she earned her CrossFit L1 and built years of coaching experience. In 2023 she became a career firefighter with Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency. At Kaos she brings unmatched energy and care.
Avery McIsaac
Avery found CrossFit in 2016 through a teen program at OnSide. She earned her L1 in 2021 and started coaching group fitness in 2024. A recent Acadia University Kinesiology graduate, she combines academic knowledge with hands-on coaching experience. At Kaos she brings energy, enthusiasm, and a genuine love for movement.
Erinn Smeltzer
Erinn focuses on mobility, running mechanics, and weightlifting technique. As a HYROX Foundations Coach, she prepares athletes for hybrid competitions and the demands of everyday life through strength, speed, and endurance work. At Kaos she helps members of all backgrounds unlock their potential through technical coaching.
Catherine “Rin” Taylor (they/them)
Catherine has over a decade of personal training experience, starting in Ottawa in 2015 before moving to Halifax in 2017. They specialize in helping people lift, whether barbells, unconventional objects, their own bodies, or their spirits. Inclusive and education-focused, Catherine organizes the Roweokeathon and Big Gay Oly Comp charity events.
Michael Hoffman
A former professional basketball player with 15 years in the sport, Michael was drawn to CrossFit’s variety, challenge, and community. At 6’8″, he understands every body moves differently. He coaches with that perspective at Kaos, helping athletes get stronger, move better, and feel capable of more than they thought possible.
Annie Crete
Annie found CrossFit in 2017 and Powerlifting in 2019. She has competed in her strength sport annually since and uses CrossFit to supplement that training. After teaching Powerlifting and CrossFit in Prince Rupert BC, she joined Kaos. Her saying: “I am happy if you are here and modify rather than not here at all.”
Alain Charpentier
Marisa Harvey
Certifications Across the Kaos Coaching Team
A snapshot of the credentials our 15 coaches bring to every class at Kaos CrossFit Halifax.
CrossFit Level 1, 2 & 3
From L1 minimum to a Certified CrossFit Trainer (CFL3) on staff. Every group class coach holds at least an L1.
HYROX Academy L1 + Foundations
Head coach holds HYROX Academy Level 1, the top HYROX credential and rare in Atlantic Canada. Four additional coaches hold HYROX Foundations. Race-format programming for all 8 HYROX stations as a HYROX Training Club.
NCCP Olympic Weightlifting
Comp Dev Trained head coach for Olympic Weightlifting. Catalyst Athletics Level 1 and Level 2 also on staff, plus four coaches holding Burgener Strength Level 1.
NCCP Level 2 Gymnastics
Gymnastics-trained coach on staff for skill work, mobility, and bodyweight progressions.
Powerlifting
Active competitive Powerlifter on staff to coach strength-focused athletes safely.
Clinical Healthcare
Registered Nurse and Physiotherapist on the coaching staff, plus on-site clinical care via Pelvico Health Centre.
Service & First Responders
Veteran-owned. Career firefighter and former military members coaching on the team.
Kinesiology Degrees
Acadia University Kinesiology graduate and Holland College Kinesiology diploma on staff.
Coach FAQ
How many coaches are on staff at Kaos CrossFit Halifax?
Kaos has 15 certified coaches in total: 2 owners (Shawn Quigley and Natalie Swart) and 13 lead coaches. Every CrossFit, HYROX, Olympic Weightlifting, and Open Gym class is led by a credentialed coach.
Who is the head coach at Kaos CrossFit?
Shawn Quigley, CD is the owner and head coach. He holds Certified CrossFit Trainer (CFL3), HYROX Academy Level 1, NCCP Comp Dev training in Olympic Weightlifting, and Catalyst Athletics Level 2. Shawn served 22 years in the Canadian Armed Forces before founding Kaos and leads programming for the gym.
Who are the HYROX coaches at Kaos CrossFit?
Head coach Shawn Quigley holds HYROX Academy Level 1, the top HYROX coaching credential and rare in Atlantic Canada. Four additional coaches (Natalie Swart, Erinn Smeltzer, Annie Crete, and Michael Hoffman) hold HYROX Foundations certifications. Every HYROX class at Kaos is led by HYROX-credentialed staff delivering the official HYROX Mainsite programming as a HYROX Training Club.
Are all Kaos coaches certified?
Yes. Every Kaos coach holds at least a CrossFit Level 1. Most hold additional certifications in Olympic Weightlifting, HYROX, gymnastics, NCCP, powerlifting, or clinical healthcare. We do not run self-led workouts.
Can I book a Kaos coach for personal training?
Yes. Personal training at Kaos is available to both members and non-members. You can request a specific coach based on goals, schedule, or coaching style. Learn more about Personal Training.
Does Kaos have female coaches?
Yes. Half of the Kaos coaching team is female. Coaches include Natalie Swart (co-owner), Jane Vallee (RN, gymnast), Christie Webb (firefighter), Avery McIsaac (BKin), Erinn Smeltzer (L1 Certified HYROX Coach), Catherine Taylor, and Annie Crete.
What sports backgrounds do Kaos coaches bring?
The team brings athletic experience from rugby, hockey, fastball, soccer, baseball, martial arts, running, gymnastics, springboard diving, professional basketball (15 years), powerlifting, field hockey, tennis, swimming, and competitive CrossFit. Several coaches also bring service careers in military and fire rescue.
Do Kaos coaches work with beginners?
Yes. Beginners make up a large portion of the Kaos community. Every workout is scaled to your ability by a certified coach. Your first group class is an intro class, includes hands-on coaching, and you progress safely from day one regardless of fitness level.
Do Kaos coaches work with injury-aware programming?
Yes. Andrew White is a practicing physiotherapist on the coaching staff. Jane Vallee is a registered nurse. Multiple coaches have backgrounds in kinesiology, and Kaos shares its building with Pelvico Health Centre for on-site physiotherapy, massage therapy, and acupuncture. Injury-aware coaching is built into how we operate.
How do I meet a Kaos coach before joining?
Book an intro class through our schedule. You’ll be coached by a credentialed Kaos coach from minute one and can ask questions before, during, or after the workout. No pressure to sign up.
Train With Our Coaches
The best way to meet the Kaos coaching team is to take a class. Your first group class at Kaos CrossFit Halifax is an intro class, at no charge. Show up, train alongside a certified coach, and see if Kaos is the right fit.
Book Intro Class Call 902-404-5647 114 Chain Lake Drive, Suite 5 · Halifax, NS B3S 1B1