Coaches

Evan Beach – Owner and Head Coach

  • CrossFit Games Central East Regional Individual Competitor
  • Certified CrossFit Level 3 Trainer (CF-L3 – 2017)
  • CrossFit Level 2 Trainer Certificate (2015)
  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Certificate (2011)
  • Catalyst Athletics Level 2 Weightlifting Coach (2018)
  • Catalyst Athletics Level 1 Weightlifting Coach (2014)
  • CrossFit Gymnastics Trainer Course (2014)
  • CrossFit Rowing Trainer Course (2017)
  • CrossFit Football Trainer Course (2016)
  • USA-Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach (2012)
  • Totten Training Systems Advanced Olympic Lifting Certification (2013)
  • CrossFit Anatomy Certificate (2017)
  • CrossFit Spot the Flaw Certificate (2017)
  • CrossFit Scaling Certificate (2017)
  • Certificate of Nutrition  – University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee  – 2010
  • CPR / AED Certified

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 414-614-6452

Katelyn Beach – Owner and Coach


Katelyn attended University of Wisconsin-Madison for International Studies and Political Science. She has her Master of Science in Program and Project Management from Brandeis University.  She is former Miss Madison, WI (2009), and currently works as a Sales Manager in the automotive industry.  She has been CrossFitting since 2011 and enjoys competing.  Katelyn is one of the few CrossFit Level 3 Trainers in the Nashville area.  She is also certified as a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, USA Weightlifting Sport Performance coach, Catalyst Athletics Level 1 Weightlifting coach, and CrossFit Gymnastics coach, and holds the Attitude Nation Weightlifting certificate. When she’s not working at her full time job, she’s taking care of her awesome babies, Atlas and Everett, training, coaching, and working at CrossFit Forte, voraciously reading a novel, or cooking delicious meals!

  • Certified CrossFit Level 3 Trainer (CF-L3 – 2016)
  • CrossFit Level 2 Trainer Certificate (2015)
  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Certificate  (2012)
  • CrossFit Gymnastics Trainer Course (2014)
  • CrossFit Football Trainer Course (2016)
  • USA-Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach (2012)
  • Catalyst Athletics Level 1 Weightlifting Certification (2014)
  • CrossFit Scaling Certificate (2016)
  • CrossFit Judges Course 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
  • CPR/AED Certified (2015)
  • BirthFit Coach (2018)

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 615-856-2454

Sarah Richmond – Coach

Sarah, a talented musician and CrossFit enthusiast, began CrossFitting in 2012 with CrossFit Forte.  What originally started as a way for her to lose weight and improve her live performances quickly turned into a love for the “Sport of Fitness”.  She received her CrossFit Level 1 Trainer status in 2013 and looks forward to helping others achieve their goals.  Sarah’s background includes dance as well as Martial Arts where she holds a first degree black belt. When she is not at Forte, you may find her showing homes in the Nashville area as an agent-Realtor® with Compass RE. If you’re visiting and thinking about relocating to the area give her a call. Check out her page and listings here.

Sarah’s favorite artists: Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, John Mayer, Amos Lee, Adele, India Arie, Marc Broussard

Sarah’s favorite songs to workout to: Hip-hop, hip-hop, and more HIP-HOP!

  • CrossFit Level 3 Trainer (CF-L3 – 2019)
  • CrossFit Level 2 Trainer Certificate
  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Certificate 
  • CrossFit Gymnastics Trainer Certificate 
  • CrossFit Football Trainer Course
  • Aerobic Capacity Course Certificate
  • Burgner Strength Weightlifting 1 Certificate
  • CPR/AED Certified

Email: [email protected]

Bob Larson – Coach

  • CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
  • CrossFit Football 
  • Working Against Gravity Certified Nutrition Coach
  • EMT
  • CPR/AED Certified

Larry Redford – Coach

  • Graduate of Missouri Western University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing
  • CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer 
  • Catalyst Athletics Level 1 Weightlifting Coach
  • CrossFit Kids Certified
  • CrossFit Football Trainer Course
  • CPR Certified

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 615-651-9889

I was born in Missouri. I started out pursuing a degree in pharmacy, but soon switched to nursing. I moved to Tennessee in June of 2013, where I started training at Forte. I began CrossFit in 2013 and fell in love with it. I’ve got a strong passion for fitness, health, and wellness. I currently work at the Vanderbilt-Pediatric OR. I love to coach and help people, while also living life to its fullest.

Dr. Ross Gentry – Coach / Physical Therapist 

Dr. Ross Gentry spent years training to be the physical therapist that weightlifters and CrossFitters want to go to.  He specializes in helping athletes to maximize their performance and train without pain.  Ross has been a CrossFit coach at Forte for several years and holds a CrossFit Level 2 certification in addition to being a CSCS, certified strength and conditioning specialist.  Ross received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Belmont University and has had the opportunity to be mentored by several PT’s who treat many of the most well known professional CrossFit athletes and Olympic Weightlifters.  Work with Ross and you’ll leave with a game plan for success.

  • CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
  • CSCS – Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach (NSCA)
  • SFMA – Selective Functional Movement Assessment Certified
  • CES – Corrective Exercise Specialist (NASM)
  • CPR/AED

Braedon Melton – Coach

  • CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

JoAnna Redford – Coach 

  • CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
  • Catalyst Athletics Level 1 Coach
  • 8 Years of CrossFit Experience
  • Police Officer for the Nashville Police Department

Micah Carpenter – Coach

Micah is a graduate from Georgia Tech where he was also a member of the baseball team. He fell in love with CrossFit in high school and continued to incorporate the training style in workouts during his time as a college athlete. Micah received his level 1 trainer status in the summer of 2019, and constantly pursues opportunities to further his knowledge of the sport. When he is not at the gym, he spends his time as a songwriter and playing shows around the Nashville area with his sister, Mackenzie Carpenter. He also enjoys beach volleyball, and many other outdoor activities.
  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer 
  • Judges Course – 2019