Who We Are at CrossFit Fort Walton Beach
David Bowell, Owner and Head Coach, CF-L2
I am a retired law enforcement officer with a deep commitment to both personal fitness and community well-being. Throughout my career, I prioritized physical readiness, which led me to discover CrossFit and weightlifting as powerful tools for staying fit for duty. My fascination with these disciplines led to the achievement of my CrossFit Level 1 (L1) certification and a commitment to expanding my knowledge.
With a strong foundation in teaching, I served as an instructor in various law enforcement disciplines, sharing my expertise with officers across the United States. As a lifelong student, I continued to deepen my understanding of CrossFit and weightlifting, earning my CrossFit Level 2 (L2) certification and Burgener Weightlifting Level 1 (L1).
Now, as a passionate coach and mentor, I am focused on leading others on their fitness journeys. My unique blend of law enforcement experience and fitness expertise allows me to create a training environment that emphasizes functional fitness, discipline, and continuous improvement.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your fitness to the next level, I am here to guide and inspire. Join me on a journey of strength, endurance, and personal growth.
JC RICHARDSON, COACH, CF-L2
I’m an active duty Air Force Special Warfare service member. I started CrossFit in 2012 in order to stay in shape for deployments and for the competitive nature of the sport.
I’ve been coaching strength and conditioning since 2016, which lead me to getting my CrossFit L1. As I continued to grow in the sport, I decided to get my CrossFit L2 and my USAW L1. I also compete in Olympic weightlifting and had the honor to represent the US in Costa Rica for Masters Pan Americans and Finland for Masters Worlds!
I hope that I can be a blessing to the CrossFit Fort Walton Beach family and help it grow.
Melissa Bowell, Owner, Coach, CF-L1
I fell in love with CrossFit after following David to a WOD...FOMO (fear of missing out) got me there, the dynamism of the workouts brought me back and the community kept me coming back.
David and I love to travel and that is all we want to do when we retire. CrossFit helps with the aging process. What I love most about CrossFit is that as a middle aged woman, I feel stronger and more capable than I did in my 20s. The high intensity workouts push me to be my best and I’ve never felt more empowered and capable!
Ansley Moody, Coach, CF-L1
Hey y’all, My name is Ansley. I just moved to Fort Walton Beach in February, 2024 from Atlanta, Ga. Growing up, I played travel softball for about 10 years. In high school, I was a member of the track team competing in discus and shot-put.
I started doing CrossFit a little bit in high school for softball but really started focusing in on it when the pandemic hit. I fell in love with the sport immediately. CrossFit made me push myself to do better and go the extra mile everyday.
The community I found in CrossFit was a support system I hadn’t seen anywhere else. After about a year, I decided to get my L1 so I could help others accomplish their fitness goals and push themselves farther than they knew was possible!
I am so excited to be a part of this new community being built in FWB!
