Meet the PhysWell team

Inspiring a more fit community since 2019 We combine our exercise science, nutrition, and physical therapy obsession with our passion for service, community, and encouraging others. Credentialed trainers are here to guide you from just getting off the couch, to crushing your next CrossFit competition…from your first pull-up, to bar muscle-ups…from munchies to macros…from back spasm to back at it – all the while offering opportunities to gather or give back like Friday Night Lights, costume parties, community events, Toys for Tots drives, team competitions or charity running events, and much more! Experts in our field, a part of the community – we’re here to help people train well, move well, and live well.

Better known simply as “Shute”, is the owner of Physical Wellness and Fitness, LLC. He is a born-and-raised Jacksonville native, and is a two-time University of North Florida alumni with a Bachelor degree in Health Administration and a Masters in Business Administration. In addition to Shute’s academic degrees, he holds CFL1, CFL2, FMSL1, and USAWL1 credentials. Shute has 20+ years of fitness training experience which includes previous positions: trainer for a local YMCA, personal trainer and General Manager at Bailey’s Gym, CrossFit Coach at Jax Strength and Conditioning, Trainer and Board of Director for Trinity Fitness.

DPT Lauren Shute is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who is passionate in helping others maintain a healthy musculoskeletal system in order to pursue physical wellness. She received her Bachelors in Exercise Science in 2013 where she was already 4 years deep in experience with functional fitness.

Casey is a special needs high school teacher and a fifth grade counselor as part of an after school program. She is an avid seeker of anything outdoors (biking, kayaking, paddle boarding, beach volleyball), and obsessed with anything and everything dog! Casey absolutely love working with children. We are ecstatic to have Casey as a PhysWell Kids Coach and supporting team member of PhysWell Foundation. Note from Casey: “I started my fitness journey with Physwell a year and a half ago, but I grew up playing sports. It was a vital part of my childhood. I believe sports and fitness is a great tool for learning how to overcome physical/emotional obstacles, learn discipline, teamwork, and how to set/attain goals. I can’t think of a better way to spend my time than sharing my love of sports/fitness with your children.

Chandler Williams handler began playing sports at the age of three, when her mom signed her up for tennis lessons. Chandler played tennis from the ages of three to eighteen. Throughout those years chandler also played lacrosse and even joined the high school rowing team which landed her a position on the University of Cincinnati Rowing Team. While Chandler rowed in college, her two a day involved CrossFit classes which is where her love for CF developed. In 2013 Chandler became CFL1 certified and has been coaching (on and off) and actively participating in the CF sport ever since. Chandler currently credentials include: CF L1, CF Kids, ISSA Sports Nutrition Specialist , USAW L1

David Reid-Foley is a seasoned functional fitness coach and a former collegiate and minor league baseball player. Leveraging his background in sports, David meticulously helps PhysWell members with everything from foundational movements to more advanced skills.

Eric has a diverse athletic background in track, basketball and soccer while growing up. This background translated well into Obstacle Course Racing where he ran in the World Championships in 2015. Also, during this time, he was testing his mental/physical endurance with multiple GORUCK rucking challenges that ultimately lead to GORUCK’s flagship events: Star Course 50 miler (ruck race) in 2019 and then completing the HTL (Heavy, Tough, Light – 48hr’s) physical challenge event in 2020. Always looking for the next challenge, Eric began participating in multiple GORUCK’s tactical training events in 2020 in preparation for The Tactical Games (CrossFit + shooting sports) in 2021. Eric credits these athletic achievements as a master’s athlete to the fundamental training provided through CrossFit. His journey with CrossFit began in 2014 and he earned his CrossFit L1 training certification 2017 and will be looking to add a Level 2 certification to his resume in 2021.

Jennifer recently moved back to FL from HI and is excited to share her passion for CF with her new gym family. She earned her Level 1 in 2013, her Level 2 in 2017, and a few other CF certs along the way. She has always had a passion for sports and fitness as she completed her Bachelor’s in Recreation Administration many years ago and later completed her Master’s degree in Human Relations and her Elementary Teaching Cert. She loves coaching, working with, and helping others.

Karen graduated from the University of Cincinnati and was a Social Worker for 18 years before moving to Florida in 2018. She started CrossFit more than 10 years ago when her mom was in her final stages of cancer and she was self medicating her pain with food. CrossFit later helped her cope when she lost her brother and father to cancer. She has been coaching CrossFit and Weightlifting the past 6 years. Her certifications include the CrossFit L1, L2, USAW L1, Spot the Flaw, CrossFit Programming, and CrossFit Scaling. Coach Hughes has always had a passion for coaching. She coached diving for 26 years before switching over to CrossFit. Coach Hughes says her favorite thing about CrossFit is the “community”, the friendships built the past 10 years, and the relationships that helped her get through losing family members (to cancer) and moving to a new state. “I pride myself on helping individuals find the best version of themselves, no matter where they are in their journey. I’ve had an amazing journey the past 10 years and I attribute that to the coaches who took the time to get to know me, what my goals were and challenging me along the way.

After years of hopelessly trying any and every type of fitness activity to propel her desire to get healthy, Kelly joined CrossFit and was immediately hooked. Soon after, she realized her love of the barbell and excitedly joined the world of Olympic Weightlifting where she medaled at several regional competitions. She is a certified Olympic Weightlifting coach and looks forward to sharing her passion with PhysWell members. Kelly is from New York, but has taken to the Florida lifestyle. She looks forward to meeting and helping our members, but if you come into the gym and can’t find her, look down…chances are she’s on the floor with someone’s dog giving them snuggles and a cookie!

Mike is originally from New York and has been in Jacksonville for the last 12 years. Mike served honorable on active duty for 6 years in the United States Marine Corps. After years of ignoring his health & wellness, Mike put significant focus on his lack of nutrition and physical health and led to a 100+ pound weight loss. . He found CrossFit about three years ago and immediately fell in love with it. Mike decided to go for his CrossFit L1 certificate in 2019 and has been coaching ever since. Mike also is very passionate about rucking and leads the NOC Ruck club.

I am originally from out west and was transplanted to Florida post military, during which I did a number of jobs including Navy diver, military police work, and weapons instructor. I have just over two decades of coaching experience across many forms of physical and mental training methods as I believe that both factors are critical to optimizing a persons well being.

As for education, I have an undergraduate degree in Coaching Psychology and a graduate degree in Human Performance along with certifications in Crossfit (L2), Advanced USA Weightlifting Coach, Functional Movement Screen, IYSA S&C, National Speed and Acceleration Certification, USA Powerlifting Coach, Adaptive Athlete Certification, NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist Certification, and others.

Interesting Crossfit fact: the first official box I went to was Vulture Crossfit in Bagram Afghanistan.

Fitness highlights: Spartan Ultra, Double Murph (Unpartitioned), ran a marathon alone.

Tonie grew up and has lived in Northeast Florida her entire life. She received a bachelor’s degree in 2008 in Elementary Education and taught math and science for 12 years before diving into personal training and nutrition coaching. Tonie started CrossFit over four years ago and found it to be life changing as it helped her gain confidence and strength. She is a NASM certified personal trainer and nutrition coach. She loves working one-on-one with clients so she can share her passion for fitness with them. This past summer, she started a summer camp program at PhysWell for kids to introduce them to lifting weights and will be coaching a homeschool enrichment program as well during the school year. Being able to use her teaching experience and apply it to kids group classes at PhysWell ensures that kids are having fun and learning at the same time. Tonie loves watching others grow, learn, and develop a love for fitness.

I am a native Floridian, growing up in Ocala, FL-The Horse Capital of the World, on none other than a thoroughbred race horse farm. I moved to St. Augustine in 1998, fell in love with the city and never left. I earned my undergraduate degree from Flagler College in Elementary and Exceptional Student Education, then went on to earn graduate certificate in Gifted Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership. I have spent 18 years in education, first as a teacher and assistant principal in St. Johns County, and now as the District ESE & Student Services Administrator for Florida Virtual School. I also act as our organization’s Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainer. I have three amazing “children” ages 18, 21 and 23 and a perfect 15-month old granddaughter. If you want to know what I love most in life, it comes down to these five F-words… Faith, Family, Friends, Fitness and Food!

My fitness journey began in high school as a 4-year varsity track athlete and swimmer. I continued running for the bling as an adult, running in local races including countless 5Ks, fourteen half-marathons and a Super Spartan. I hopped in and out of globo gyms for years, until I tried my first CrossFit class in 2018 and loved every grueling minute! I have since fell in love with the sport, the community and of course my Physwell family. I recently earned my CF-L1 Trainer credentials and am excited to see where this phase of my fitness journey takes me.

Jeff played soccer in high school, and has also been a lifelong surfer. His first CrossFit workout was Murph. From that Memorial Day in 2019 forward he was hooked. Jeff believes the
physical and mental test along with the community CrossFit offers has improved every area of life. He has a passion to see others have the same experience!

Jeff enjoys competing in both Olympic weightlifting and local CrossFit competitions. He is a USAW L1 and CF L1 certified coach.

I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and moved to the Jacksonville area in 2020. I started CrossFit 3 years ago and fell in love with its variety of movements and skills. I am in my sixth year of teaching piano lessons to elementary and middle school students, and have previously volunteered as a child care worker at a local gym. Currently I am attending the University of North Florida, majoring in elementary education. I look forward to coaching and getting to know the children and tweens of PhysWell.

Lori has been an athlete throughout her life. She played multiple sports growing up including volleyball at the University of North Florida. After college she continued her fitness journey by training for Spartan races and participated in group functional fitness classes. In 2015 she coached at Trinity Fitness for 3+ years. Then in 2019 she started CrossFit at Physwell. She loves being part of the Physwell community and enjoys seeing members hit a PR or learn a new movement. She earned her CrossFit L1 certificate in 2023 and is looking forward to sharing her passion for fitness with our community.