Braxton founded CrossFit 425 in 2010 with a simple mission: to help people get stronger, more confident, and more connected — both inside and outside the gym.

With over 15 years of coaching experience, he’s known for his smart, athlete-focused programming and his ability to challenge people in the right way — balancing accountability with humor and heart. Braxton believes fitness should be hard, but never intimidating, and that everyone who walks through the door deserves to feel seen, supported, and pushed to their potential.

His motto sums it up best: “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”

As one of CrossFit 425’s original owners and coaches, Brenda has been part of the gym since day one — helping open the doors at every location since 2010. Over the years, she’s watched the 425 community grow into something truly special, built on support, encouragement, and shared hard work.

Brenda brings the same passion to her classes as she does to her life outside the gym. When she’s not coaching, she teaches at Issaquah High School, where she leads CrossFit classes along with cooking and driver’s ed. A proud CrossFit mom, she trained throughout her pregnancy and loves inspiring other parents to stay active and strong.

For Brenda, the best part of CrossFit 425 will always be the people — a community that lifts each other up both inside and outside the gym.

My fitness path has been long and varied. Starting with little league baseball, high school soccer, and college hockey. Then on to dirtbike racing in my 20’s and starting CrossFit in my 30’s. Now, I combine regular CrossFit workouts with running and mountain biking to keep myself active, constantly progressing, and having fun. After over a decade as a CF425 athlete, I took the step of becoming a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer at the end of 2024.

I wholeheartedly believe in the CrossFit prescription of “constantly varied, high-intensity, functional movement.” I like the anticipation of having a different workout each day. The challenge of pushing myself past the limits of what I thought I could do. And the confidence that comes with being capable of tackling the unknown and unknowable obstacles that life will throw my way.

As a trainer, I love to see a person come to the gym, start moving and working out, and then start to see themselves as an athlete. The progress a new member makes in their first 6 months is incredible to watch. Then, after the foundation of mechanics and consistency are set, the fun begins. Adding a new skill, mastering a new movement, hitting a new personal record, pushing through a long workout, blasting a short workout, achieving your next goal. All with the support of the CF425 community. That’s what it’s all about. That’s what I’m here to see and to help in any way you need.

Jennifer (or Jen) Tanaka started her CrossFit journey here at CF 425 in 2014. It didn’t take long for her to come to love the intensity of workouts, and the increased flexibility, agility, strength, and endurance that comes from just showing up to class on a regular basis. Having grown up in a time when girls didn’t lift weights and barbells like boys, Jennifer is enthusiastic about weightlifting and loves to see everyone grow to become strong on the inside and out. Jennifer believes in the importance of community, and she’ll likely welcome new members with a smile. She especially likes working with newcomers and watching the transformation. “Be open to trying new things, understand it’s okay to scale, and just keep showing up! You’ll see changes”.

Jennifer has a professional background in human rights and youth development, having worked in the non-profit, philanthropic, and public sectors, locally and abroad. She enjoys translating her professional experience in leadership development and coaching to the gym where she can  support people to achieve their fitness goals.

When Jennifer is not in the gym, you may find her hiking, biking, golfing, skiing, wine tasting, or walking her dog, Juno.