WHO WE ARE
For over 16 years, we have focused on one thing: helping people achieve more than they thought they could.
We believe everyone deserves to feel good in their bodies. Whether you’re brand new or a long-time athlete, we’ll start where you are and help you get fitter, faster, and leaner.
It can be intimidating to start (or restart) the journey to fitness. When you join a regular gym, it can be especially lonely, frustrating, even demoralizing. That’s why we’re here, doing things our way.
More than anything, we are a diverse community of people who want to achieve our fitness goals together, in an inclusive, welcoming environment. Our members include Olympic athletes, developing teens, seniors, and everyone in between. Whether you’re a fitness beginner or fitness veteran, it doesn’t matter. When you come to class, we’re ready to help you achieve your personal best, both in and outside the gym.
Ours is one of the longest running CrossFit gyms in New England. Our coaches are known for their expertise and friendliness. We look forward to working with you, and we’re proud to have you with us!
MEET OUR AMAZING TEAM!
Ayn Toppin
Ayn is the Owner of Pioneer Valley CrossFit and has been leading the Coaching Team for over 10 years. They are a CrossFit Level 1 and Level 2 Trainer, and is also a CrossFit gymnastics coach, OPEX certified, and a certified Bikram yoga instructor.
Ayn is a four-time North East CrossFit Games qualifier. Naturally athletic, they played division one soccer at the University of Oklahoma where they earned a BFA in Fine Art. Ayn is as accomplished in the arts they are in athletics. They earned their MFA in painting from Colorado State in 2005 and it was there in 2008 that they started working out at a small CrossFit affiliate. It changed their life. For Ayn, training is more about self-actualization than fitness. They enjoy coaching because it gives them the chance to play a positive role in peoples’ lives.
Liz Eleftherakis
Liz is the gym Manager and also the Director of Nutrition. She is a CrossFit Level 1 and Level 2 Trainer. She is also a Precision Nutrition Level 2 Master Health Coach and certified Pre- and Postnatal Coaching Specialist.
In 2007 she earned a Master’s degree in Education. Liz rowed competitively for 4 years in high school and then for the University of Massachusetts’ Division I rowing team for two years. She has worked as both a head coach and assistant coach for numerous rowing programs in Eastern and Western Massachusetts.
Liz began Crossfitting in 2013 and immediately fell in love with the sense of community and accomplishment the sport offers. Her passion lies in making genuine connections in order to help members find their confidence and reach their goals. She prides herself on providing comprehensive, continuous, and outcome-based coaching and programming to all her clients. She understands the courage and determination it requires to take ownership of one’s own health and fitness and is honored to be able to guide members through that process.
Andrey Yesyev
Andrey is a certified CrossFit Level 1 Trainer. During his high school and university years, Andrey stood out as a competitive track and field athlete, specializing in the 200m and 400m races. His passion for running never waned, and he has since transitioned to long-distance running, embracing the endurance and mental challenges it offers.
Back in 2017, Andrey explored CrossFit as a temporary divergence from his running routine. However, this short break evolved into a deep-rooted passion. He was captivated by the dynamic blend of movements and the multifaceted challenges inherent in CrossFit. Today, he appreciates how the sport pushes his limits, offering a comprehensive workout that combines strength, agility, and endurance.
Tony Canata
He began coaching in 2019 as a way to delve deeper into the CrossFit methodology and the PVCF community. As a coach, Tony focuses on training people for a lifetime of health, including doing his part to keep PVCF a place where people will want to come back week after week and year after year.
Tony played baseball and basketball in high school, and baseball in college. He has been a runner, a karate student, a yoga practitioner, and a traditional gym-goer. He has a keen interest in diet, nutrition, meditation, health, and wellness in general. He has even written a book about his CrossFit journey from skeptic to coach, entitled I’m Not Doing Any of That.
Tony is also a lawyer, representing claimants whose employer-sponsored long term disability benefits have been denied by insurers.
Jasmine Madina-Morgan
Jasmine Madina-Morgan has been an avid mover since she was little, continually climbing fences and digging holes to feel like a warrior. Throughout high school and college Jasmine played basketball, track and field, cross country, and practiced martial arts. CrossFit came into the picture when her basketball coach fought for the girls team to use the weight room. The second Jasmine awkwardly picked up the barbell she knew she would trade traditional sports for the sport of fitness. A former English and ELL teacher, she makes it her focus to foster a welcoming and accessible gym space for everyone. Her other interests include reading queer young adult novels, dancing to Reggaeton and Taylor Swift, and drinking copious amounts of tea. Jasmine is a Level 3 Certified CrossFit Trainer as well as CNU Stretch Certified.Additionally, She has her CrossFit Gymnastics, CrossFit Aerobic Capacity, and USA Weightlifting Level 1 certifications.
Heather Samson
Heather Samson joined PVCF in the Spring of 2016 as a way to decompress and stay active while working full time as an elementary orchestra teacher and earning a master’s degree in the evenings. She was a competitive swimmer throughout her school years, but had never so much as picked up a barbell or done an air squat before walking through the doors of PVCF. With the support of the wonderful coaches and community, she quickly became dedicated to not only improving her own fitness, but learning as much as she could about strength, conditioning, and all things CrossFit.
Heather earned the CF L1 certificate in 2021, and started coaching at PVCF shortly after. As both a teacher and a coach, her primary goal is to build positive relationships and provide a safe environment where people feel confident and able to challenge themselves to reach their goals.
Anna Tew
Anna Tew is your average rainbow headband wearing CrossFitting Lutheran pastor, and has been coaching at PVCF since 2021. An Alabama native, Anna played Division I softball at Troy University. After college, Anna started running to keep moving, with some success. She ran two marathons and many half marathons, but something was always missing – her team. Tired of working out solo and exhausted from on again, off again routines, she wanted to work out with a community again. In February 2019, she joined PVCF, found her team, and fell in love with CrossFit. Wanting to give back to the community that has given her so much, she earned her CFL1 in 2020 and began coaching in 2021. Each day she coaches, Anna works hard to foster community, build relationships, and help athletes achieve their goals – whatever those goals may be! Above all, she remembers what it was like to be a new athlete, and she loves to show new members the ropes… and the barbells… you get the picture. The learning curve may be steep, but the payoff is so well worth it!
WE'RE HERE
FOR YOU
At Pioneer Valley CrossFit, your goals are our mission. Whether you’re starting your fitness journey or looking to level up, our supportive coaches and welcoming community are dedicated to helping you every step of the way. We’re here to provide guidance, encouragement, and a space where everyone feels empowered to thrive.