Our Staff

Meet our Staff

Sean Smith | Owner

I’m originally from Bay City, Michigan and moved to Yuma in 2011 to be a teacher. Met my wife here and decided to stay for good! I began CrossFit the summer before my last year (2008) of collegiate swimming.

After retiring from swimming, I picked up CrossFit to fill the competitive void in my life. I love coaching CrossFit and it brings me as much joy as actually doing the workouts. Motivating people to push their limits and think bigger is a very rewarding experience for me.

 

Laiza Smith | Co-Owner

Born and raised in Yuma! My husband (Sean) and I opened this gym together in Jan., 2014 through a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. While I don’t coach any classes at the gym, you’ll see me around doing office work, designing  t-shirts, taking pictures, organizing events, and talking with members. Sean and I have a daughter named Valentina who you’ll also see at the gym occasionally.

LUKE ABPLANALP | TRAINER

Self-professed nerd and former Marine, I started CrossFit in 2008. What I really enjoy about CrossFit and Glory Fitness specifically, is the community.

Getting to see people accomplish their own personal goals is great. Even if I have an off day, I still get to celebrate with someone who did something they never thought they could.

CERTIFICATIONS

  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
  • Precision Nutrition Level 1

ROB RICHARDSON | TRAINER

I am an Arizona native and grew up in Phoenix and I graduated from Camelback High School. I have always been interested in fitness and enjoy pushing myself both physically and mentally.

I have completed three marathons and seven ½ marathons. I have completed several Warrior dashes and a Tough Mudder.

I moved to Yuma in 2008 and was introduced to CrossFit in 2010 and immediately was hooked. My wife and I would follow the workouts that were listed on the CrossFit website but had to modify them in order to complete the workouts at a fitness club. I finally joined a “Box” in August of 2014, and I proudly received my L1 certificate in April of 2015. I am a Physical Fitness Instructor with my department and am always looking for ways to keep in shape and to help encourage others to do the same. The variance of the workouts along with the changing intensity compliments the demands of the law enforcement profession.

CERTIFICATIONS

  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

MATT SCHWEDA | TRAINER

I’m originally from the suburbs of Chicago. I grew up playing various sports and in high school – football, wrestling and track & field.

I later enlisted in the Marine Corps, which eventually brought me to Yuma in 2002 where I found my purpose, wife, and a bunch of great friends. In 2008, a friend introduced me to CrossFit and the workout destroyed me. Being a avid athlete and someone who stays active, I was hooked. Between my first WOD and 2016, I worked off of crossfit.com at various gyms. I finally found a box to call my home at CrossFit Glory.

After attending for about 10 months I completed my Level 1 Certification and started coaching and continue to enjoy the challenge and enrichment CrossFit and the community brings to my life. My favorite workouts are anything where I can go 100% from the beginning…I hate pacing myself!

CERTIFICATIONS

  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

Victor Durazo | TRAINER

I was born and raised in San Luis Rio Colorado Sonora, Mexico. I’ve been part of Glory Fitness over two years. Before starting my fitness journey I was a couch potato. One day I was invited to Downtown Yuma Bootcamp, so I decided to give it a go. From there, I continued my fitness journey with our CrossFit program. I lost 60 pounds and fell in love with CrossFit and community. Glory Fitness has taught me that you don’t have to have an athletic background to work on yourself and achieve fitness goals. Some of my hobbies include working out, playing video games, and spending time with family and friends.

LIZ TAYLOR | TRAINER

liz@glory.fitness

Bio Coming Soon.

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Location

Glory Fitness 
324 S. Main St.
Yuma AZ 85364

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