Brute Strength Online Training Programs

Matt Torres, a one-on-one remote head coach has helped several athletes reach their goals of making it to the CrossFit Games (eight to be exact, and counting…). Amongst the list of his athletes that made it to the CF Games are Jason Carroll (12th in the 2019 CF Open), Dallin Pepper (2018 Fittest Teen 16-17), and Tudor Magda (2018 Fittest Teen 14-15). Matt played football at Central Michigan University from 2006-2011 and tied in his love of sports with a broadcasting degree, thinking he would be a reporter on ESPN. However, Matt decided to change his path and took his passion straight to CrossFit, and is now paving the road to success for teen athletes.

Outside of remote coaching, he is also the owner of North Naples CrossFit in Naples, Florida, established in 2013. Matt says it’s amazing to him to see ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Fun fact: Coach Torres was a wide receiver at CMU and played with some top-notch athletes, such as Antonio Brown (Steelers), Joe Staley (49er’s), Eric Fisher (Chiefs), Frank Zombo (Chiefs), Jahleel Addae (Chargers). He’s basically famous.

We hear you like to trade your barbells for hammers on the weekends?

Haha. Yes, when I’m not in the gym, you can find me updating my home. I’m not ashamed to say that I spend more time watching HGTV than ESPN. There, I said it.

What’s your “don’t eat like an asshole” nutrition plan?

I follow an 80/20 rule. I eat real foods 80% of the time, and 20% of the time I eat what I want. I don’t skip meals and I don’t eat like an asshole more than 20% of the time.

Why is enjoying the process of reaching a goal so important to you?

I grew up playing football at a young age and through college at the highest level. I’ve always heard “enjoy the process” but I never really understood it. It wasn’t until I found CrossFit that I really saw the “process” more clear. As athletes, we spend every living second of our day to be better. We want to make it to Regionals or the Games. But, here is the kicker, no matter how good you are, it’ll never be enough for you. As humans, we’ll always want more, it’s one of our biggest flaws. To combat that feeling try to enjoy every second of training and cherish the time spent with friends and loved ones. Those little moments, both bad and good, create the short stories that build your life.

What’s your favorite recommended online resource or book?

Mastery “The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment” by George Leonard and The Champion’s Mind “How Great Athletes Think, Train, and Thrive” by Jim Afremow.

One-on-one remote head coach, Elcanah Senouvor, was born in Côte D’Ivoire where his love of sports began at a young age. He started playing competitive soccer at the age of six and took that passion with him to the United States at age 13.

After graduating from LSU with a sports management degree and trying to figure out the next step in his life, he started personal training, which eventually led him to CrossFit. He quickly fell in love with the high-intensity atmosphere and welcoming community — so six months in, he was working toward becoming a coach.

Coach Senouvor is eager to continue developing the best athletes in the world into champions.

You moved to the United States from West Africa at the age of 13. How has that experience impacted your coaching style?

My dad worked for the UN, so we moved a lot when I was younger, which made moving here a lot easier. I was able to adapt to the culture change pretty quickly. I think my experiences growing up have allowed me to have a different approach when it comes to meeting athletes across the world. I can understand their thought process and the sacrifices they have to make to pursue their goals and passion. I love meeting people from across the globe.

What are your motivations in life?

Fulfilling my purpose. I think my purpose is to help others achieve their dreams. Athletes put their trust in us coaches to help them reach some of their biggest goals and dreams. My biggest fear is to feel like I’ve let them down, so I do my absolute best to help each and every client.

Do you have any tips on how to avoid temptation and stay on track with your nutrition and training?

Know your why. If you understand why you want to accomplish something, it makes it easier to be consistent on a day to day basis.

What’s your training mantra or favorite quote?

“Le futur a commencer,” which translates to “the future has begun.” Every day we have an opportunity to make choices that will affect our future either positively or negatively. We are in control of our destiny.

Career Highlights

• Multiple club record holder for Richmond Hill Aquatic Club
• Serbian National Record Holder
• Eastern Canada Championship Medalist in the 200m Breaststroke
• Ontario Provincial Champion in both the 100m and 200m Breaststroke
• Finalist in the 2016 Olympic Trials in the 200m Breaststroke

Outside of training what do you do?

Chase my daughter around (Anna, 1yr old)

Amatuer Landscape artist

Favorite lift/event/area of focus?

Favorite lift: Snatch

Favorite event: WZA

Favorite area of focus: Recovery 

What are your motivations in life?

My motivations in life are my family, my faith, and using my gifts to their full potential. 

I’m really focused on always trying to pour into others the things I’ve learned and experience throughout life, and on the same token, maintain a mindset that allows my own cup to stay full. 

What’s your training mantra or favorite quote? 

“1 step at a time.”

After discovering Crossfit in the summer of 2012, Joey Tortora quickly fell in love with everything it had to offer. He was a runner and avid gym-goer looking for a new push. He saw a video of The Crossfit Games and was determined to have a future in this sport. In 2014, he began his competition career and qualified for his first Individual Crossfit Regional. Soon after this, he took his love of the sport one step further and started coaching. For the past 7 years, Joey has tied his two loves together and has been teaching people how to move and live well while at the same time becoming a 5-year Regional Individual Qualifier and a 2-time Crossfit Games Team athlete, finishing 5th in 2019. 

Joey’s passion for coaching comes from wanting to help others achieve their goals and avoid mistakes he made early in his career. As a Brute Athlete since 2018, he knows the impact a good coach can make. 

When not in the gym, Joey is spending his time in his basement woodshop crafting small commissioned pieces or changing the diaper for his newborn daughter, Ruthie. 

Favorite lift/event/area of focus?

If I could do one Crossfit event everyday for the rest of my life, it would be the Triple 3. I love the pain and the mental focus it takes to push your aerobic threshold for such a long duration. 

What are your motivations in life?

I strive every day to be the kindest person I can. Sometimes people just need to hear kind words. You never know what someone else is experiencing so always take that opportunity to lend them some positive vibes.

What’s your training mantra or favorite quote? 

“Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.” Michael Scott. Learn to love the discomfort. It’s only temporary. 

Anything else you would like to add?

As a coach, I firmly believe it is not only my job to help you increase our fitness, but increase your mental view of yourself. I’ll always be the biggest fan of my athletes!