OUR METHOD

What We Stand For

Using CrossFit style training, Pure Grit CrossFit provides daily programming and close coaching in a small group settings. Our training uses functional movements that are proven to increase strength, endurance, and coordination in a safe and effective manner. Our programmed workouts are highly variable, keeping everyday fun and exciting to create well rounded athletes of life. Pure Grit CrossFit also recognizes that a workout alone is not the only important factor in living a healthy, happy, and sustainable life. This is why it is our mission to provide support in so many ways other than just fitness. Whether that’s talking about ways to improve your nutrition or giving you a community of people to build positive healthy friendships. Your well-being is our first priority.

Meet The Coaches

Shelby Hamilton

My Name is Shelby Barton. I am the owner and certified CF-L1 head coach of Pure Grit. Through my life, sports and athletics have been some of the biggest things that have shaped me. Some of the sports I have played up to the provincial level include: Rugby, Softball, Gymnastics, as well as hockey and soccer which I went on to play at Mount Allison University. After retiring from traditional sports I quickly fell in love with the sport of CrossFit. Fitness and work ethic were always my greatest assets to teams, and are also what CrossFit is all about. I love competition by nature and have goals to continue competing in CrossFit but above all, I love sharing my passion of fitness to others, inspiring them and helping them reach their goals! I began my coaching career at an amazing gym called CrossFit Cobourg where I learned so much about how to create a nurturing environment for all types of individuals to succeed. While I was there, I coached classes, created and ran CrossFit Gymnastics specific seminars as well as created, programmed and coached a competitive CrossFit Program. I am so grateful for the opportunity that gave me to grow into a coach that could go on to create an environment now called Pure Grit that so many more people can call home and succeed at.

Lauren Stanfield

CF-L1
Favourite workout: DT
Fun fact: Sprinkle donuts and coffee are the way to my heart

Hello! My name is Lauren! I’ve been doing CrossFit since 2016. I started CrossFit as a way to get back into routine fitness after my first year of university. I love CrossFit for so many reasons. The sport is adaptive to all skill levels and allows you to be your own individual athlete in a team environment. You get the best of both worlds in this sport because your biggest competition is the person in the mirror but you are driven by your community to be the very best athlete you aspire to be. My favourite workouts always involve a barbell. Light or heavy it’ll be fun either way! The coolest experience I’ve had to date is coming back from slipping my L5 disc and making the CrossFit Quarterfinals. Competition paired with community really sparks a fire within me to push beyond what I think I’m capable of.

Brittany Vis

I joined CrossFit back in 2018 and never looked back. I came to CrossFit with a running background and I played sports throughout highschool and in the military. I started CrossFit because I was getting bored with my fitness routine and I felt I needed something more and I definitely got that something more. One of my strengths in CrossFit is my aerobic capacity which makes sense why one of my favourite workouts is the hero WOD MURPH and my weakness is my gymnastics which I am constantly working on.

I wanted to become a CrossFit coach because I love seeing people accomplish things they never thought they could and being a part of someone’s health and wellness journey .

When I am not at the gym I am working as a Registered massage therapist here in Belleville and being wife and mom to my amazing and supportive family.

Terry Slaney

I began CrossFit in 2012 after reading an article about it in a magazine. The relatively quick, high intensity workouts appeal to me. I work full-time, so I need a workout that is not overly time consuming, but that provides results. CrossFit is that workout!I love Pure Grit CrossFit because of its inclusiveness. Everyone is welcome, no matter their age or fitness level. Everyone is encouraged to do their best and to strive to improve. The atmosphere is fun, motivational and inspirational. The workouts are structured and varied, which I like. My favourite workouts involve chippers and gymnastic moves.In May of 2022, I became a Level One CrossFit coach. I wanted to share my experience and enthusiasm with other members. I find it very rewarding to teach moves to other members and to see them achieve new goals. In my free time, I like to cook for my cooking-challenged wife, and I also love to travel. I have travelled throughout Canada, the United States and Europe.

Tyler "Biggy" MacDonald

Hello, my name is Biggy! Legally I go by Tyler MacDonald but even my own mother calls me by my real name Biggy!

When I first started CrossFit in 2021 it was to change up my routine of doing the same things in a commercial gym that never seemed to get me anywhere. After experiencing my first couple of workouts with Pure Grit CrossFit there was no turning back. This gym is the definition of community and is for everyone and anyone. I have never felt more welcome in a space with people of all different ages, fitness levels, backgrounds, professions, and lifestyles in my life! Here at Pure Grit we consider ourselves family. Whether it’s a workout, breakfast, dinner or parties this community is something I cherish and am proud to be a part of.

I was lucky enough to obtain my Crossfit-OL1 recently and it has been such a fun and enjoyable time getting to coach and help in any way I can to any of our athletes needing help or encouragement. Watching groups of people come together and put in the work to all obtain a common goal is beyond uplifting and is part of the reason why I wanted to coach and help out with the gym in any way I could.

My favorite workouts involve a machine and a barbell. Being a bigger guy I know what kinds of workouts I will excel at but it’s always nice challenging myself to something hard when I know I have a team full of support behind me encouraging me to get better at certain movements that I never thought I could ever do.

When I am not in the gym I am working as a career firefighter, being a husband and father to my 5-year-old daughter that is usually right at my hip as she is also a lover of the gym herself and is a member of the kids CrossFit program here at Pure Grit. If I am not at work or the gym you will find me on the golf course or playing hockey or building something new or driving Shelby nuts with my ideas!

Dean Hamilton

Dean is a certified Crossfit Level 1 coach who has been part of Pure Grit Crossfit since 2021, Dean is a positive energy coach who spent several years playing hockey and attending regular globo gyms before joining Crossfit. He enjoys the functional physical benefits Crossfit provides for his everyday life as a local first responder and the tight-knit community that helps push him through the toughest of workouts! His best advice is to take that difficult first step into the gym with a positive attitude. When you come to Pure Grit you'll meet a great group of people that will not only keep you accountable for your workouts but will become some of your best friends for life!