Since 2014
About Us
We are a friendly, family-owned small business building a community around functional fitness, education, and nutrition in Madison, WI.
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FRIENDLY COACHES
BARRETT D, owner
CF-L2
I started my fitness career at a young age. I participated in football and baseball in high school and was captain of my college football team. I earned a BS in Physical Education and Health in 2010 and taught high school PE for just under 5 years. When I lived in Milwaukee, I lived a block from a CrossFit gym and soon after starting up as a member, I quickly realized that was where I wanted to be. I left teaching and moved to Madison to open CrossFit Big Dane in June of 2014!
Fun Fact: I was in choir in High School – A Tenor! And as a dad, I love singing to my kids! 🙂
SAMANTHA D, owner
I found CrossFit back in 2011 and have been doing it ever since! I have been coaching at BDC back when it was CrossFit Big Dane when I received my CF-L1 certification in 2016, and my CrossFit Kids Specialty Certification in 2018. By day, I am an Occupational Therapist and by night, I am a CrossFit Athlete, human/dog/cat mom. Personally, I enjoy all aspects of CrossFit because everyone is there to learn, better themselves, and have fun!
Andy d
I started Crossfit at 34 and have worked to keep up with my two boys. Eight years later, I am still able to run, hike, snowboard, and enjoy any activity they throw at me. My favorite movements are the Olympic lifts and other functional work with odd objects.
Fun fact: I teach art outside the gym and love how my fitness helps me have the strength to move pottery wheels, 50 pound bags of clay, and other heavier projects.
AMY N
CF-L1
I discovered CrossFit while mobilized with my Army Reserve unit in 2012 and have been hooked ever since. As a life-long distance runner, I appreciate the strength and mobility CrossFit adds to my overall fitness. As an extrovert, I appreciate the friendliness and community that CrossFit cultivates! After ten years of WODs I decided I wanted to share my love of CrossFit with others; I earned my CF-L1 in December of 2022 and began coaching in early 2023. As an older athlete, my goal is to encourage and inspire our athletes to remain active and healthy as they age.
Fun Fact: I am a mother of four and grandmother of two!
Julie G
CF-L1 & L2
I was always active as a dancer growing up, but never had interest in strength training or athletics. It wasn’t until my late 30s, after seeing my health and strength steadily decline through adulthood, that I tried CrossFit. I was surprised to find I was soon addicted to the joys of lifting heavy, sweating hard, and celebrating wins at every stage in a supportive community. When I did the first pull-up of my life at age 40 – something I’d assumed from childhood that I would never, ever be able to do – I realized there was something truly special here. So it felt natural to earn my CF-L1 in 2024 to help others find their intensity and celebrate their progress, too. Because of my own fitness journey, I’m passionate about helping everyone, in every body, to get fitter at every age – and to stop underestimating themselves in fitness and in life.
When I’m not at the gym or working on my software business, I love reading, playing board games with my husband and two kids, traveling, and drinking too many cold brews at cozy coffee shops.
Joey S
I was introduced into the CrossFit community shortly after joining the Air National Guard in 2011. No matter where I was in the world, the CrossFit community has brought me a close connection to friends and a sense of belonging. In 2017 I moved to Madison WI for a full time position with the 115th Fighter Wing. As I continued my commitment to CrossFit, I finally decided to get my CF-L1 in July 2021. Shortly after that I started coaching here with Big Dane Collective. I love bringing my charismatic personality to class as a coach and member. Watching members commit to a healthy lifestyle and achieve their goals is one the best feelings for me as a coaching professional.
Grace B
I was on the rowing team at UW-Madison for 5 years. After graduating, I tried CrossFit and loved it right away! I love being a part of the community and having an outlet to push myself and find my limits.
TYler R
CF-L1
ACE-Certified Personal Trainer
I’ve been doing CrossFit ever since I was a kid, tagging along with my dad to his box and trying to keep up. It’s thanks in part to a former gym teacher who’s a CrossFit Games athlete. I’ve been hooked ever since. As a dual-sport athlete in soccer and long-distance track, CrossFit became my ideal way for staying in shape, building strength, and pushing myself past my limits.
I’ve been an ACE-certified personal trainer for a few years now and decided to get my CF-L1 so I could share the kind of movement I enjoy, not just the classic curls and raises. For me, movement is about more than fitness: it’s about building confidence, creating a community, and most importantly having fun along the way!
When I’m not coaching, you’ll find me outdoors hiking, fishing, or snowboarding in the winter. I’m also a student at UW-Madison, where I get to bring what I’m learning in the classroom directly into the gym.
Nate T
CF-L1
emily g
Growing up, I competed in gymnastics and played soccer, eventually finding my way to triathlons and then Crossfit. I love to help others figure out their favorite ways to move their body. In the past several years, I have discovered a love for handstands and hand balancing which I train at the gym and also at Madison Circus Space. Outside of the gym, you can find me on the trails and on the sidelines of my 8 year old’s sporting events.
BRANDON K
CF-L1 & L2
CrossFit Sport Specific Application
I’m passionate about helping people, not just in the gym, but in all aspects of life. I want to help as many people as I can better themselves to live the life they’ve always wanted.
I participated in track and field at University of Wisconsin Madison before becoming a CrossFit coach. After a year of CrossFitting, I fell in love with the technical aspects of movement. I found that I had a good eye for assessing people’s movement, and being someone that loves to teach others, coaching almost came as second nature.