Meet our Coaches

Athletics have always been a part of Murnie’s life. Murnie played competitive soccer for 10 years, and when she attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha she won the National Soccer Championship. In  2005, Murnie discovered rock climbing and immediately fell in love.  She competed in local competitions and won!  The competitions included 24 hours of horseshoe hell, which is a 24 hour outdoor sport climbing competition.   The joy of rock climbing led her to work at the outdoor venture center where she focused on teaching and coaching rock climbing and creating routes for her clients.   After completing her degree in exercise science, Murnie enhanced her expertise as a rock climber with certifications as personal trainer, performance enhancement specialist, and corrective exercise specialist.  As Head Coach of the Shaker Rocks' Youth Competetive Team, Murnie values serving and connecting with people to help them reach their full potential to soar

**Murnie is also a personal trainer!

Julia has been climbing since 2012, and coaching since 2019. She spends as many weekends as possible sport climbing and camping in Kentucky and West Virginia. As a lead climbing instructor, trained by the American Mountain Guides Association, Julia has a wealth of information to share about best practices in lead climbing and belaying (indoors and out), and is especially interested in helping new climbers develop the skills and confidence: efficient movement technique, endurance, and power. When she’s not climbing she is working at Cuyahoga Arts and Culture as grant program manager.

Chris' primary joy in life is introducing people to new outdoor activities and helping them gain confidence. Chris has been rock climbing since 2011 when he had the opportunity to go on month-long climbing and white water kayaking trick National Outdoor Leadership School. Since then, he has worked in climbing gyms and as an outdoor trip leader for Ohio State and CSU. In Chris's free time he tricks friends and acquaintances into joining him on trips to rock climb, cave, hike, mountain bike, etc.

Ewa has over 10 years climbing experience. She started in California and successfully summited Mt. Whitney (14,508’) via the East Buttress. A sport climber at heart, but also loves a good multi-pitch trad day. She is passionate about facilitating a space for growth, strong mind-body connection, and overcoming your fears from within. Ewa specializes in coaching climbing movement, general strength, and mindset for climbers. She works with athletes who are new to climbing or veterans. It is her goal to help you reach your potential, bump you off your plateau and overall become a BETTER climber. Ewa is a head yoga instructor, teaches lead climbing and is the founder of Cool Ladies Climbing Club.

Tessa is an ACE Personal Trainer, Kripalu Yoga Instructor, & Buti Yoga Instructor. She has worked in the fitness industry for 5 years, working at large gyms, small studios, and since covid, via Zoom. Tessa believes exercise plays a crucial role in mental health, and through her work experiences has witnessed the power of community it can create. By focusing on the benefits of exercise rather than solely the aesthetics, Tessa is able to create challenging, effective exercises that leave her clients feeling fulfilled, balanced, and positive. Utilizing functional fitness training methods, Tessa will help you realize your fitness goals and will ensure biomechanical function, preventing injury and eliminating old aches and chronic pain.