Irvin “Smalls” Smalls
Coach/Co-Owner
Smalls is a Level 2 CrossFit Coach with over a decade of CrossFit coaching and competition experience.
He is a San Antonio native and Air Force veteran who served for seven years as a Certified Pharmacy Technician. He was medically retired, but shortly after leaving the service completed his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
Connect with Smalls:
smalls@mountainshadowscrossfit.com
210-428-0145
Alison “Ali” Jones
Coach/Co-Owner
Ali is a Level 2 CrossFit coach and NSCA Certified Personal Trainer with additional CrossFit certifications in gymnastics and weightlifting. She coached at several CrossFit gyms over the years as she moved around the country with her military spouse, including CrossFit Invictus (San Diego, CA) and CrossFit Loft (Seattle, WA). She is also the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Pikes Peak Athletics, working with competitive swimmers of all ages.
Ali has Bachelor of Science degrees in both Biology and Nursing from Western Washington University and Washington State University, respectfully. She was a registered nurse for many years and served in ICUs in both Portland, OR and Seattle, WA, but transitioned to coaching about 15 years ago after she had her first of three children.
Connect with Ali:
ali@mountainshadowscrossfit.com
206-518-0126
Matthew “Matty” Simpleman
Coach
Check back soon for Matty’s biography.
Abby Richter-Shepard
Coach
Abby’s athletic journey began as a competitive runner in high school, where she specialized in track and cross-country. She went on to run collegiate cross-country and track at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, developing a deep love for endurance sports. After college, Abby stepped into a CrossFit gym looking for a new competitive outlet and was instantly hooked. She’s been competing in the sport for over 12 years, with highlights including the Granite Games, Beach Brawl, and most recently, Wodapalooza.
CrossFit is a major part of Abby’s training, along with running and hiking. When she moved to Colorado, Abby fell in love with the mountains, leading her to take on Colorado’s iconic 14ers—summiting 40 so far. Her passion for the trails also led her to ultra running, where she’s completed: Pikes Peak Ascent (5x), Garden-to-Peak (3x), and Leadville 100 Trail Run.
Abby is passionate about helping athletes bridge the gap between strength and endurance, combining CrossFit with running to build well-rounded fitness. She is both a Level 2 CrossFit and UESCA Ultrarunning Coach and in addition to coaching CrossFit classes Mountain Shadows CrossFit she offers 1:1 customized coaching for those looking to run their first 5K or take on an ultra marathon—while still incorporating CrossFit into their training. For more information about a customized running plan, please visit Abby’s website: https://www.ultrastrongendurance.com.
Amanda “Mandy” McDonald
Coach
Mandy is a Colorado Springs native and has been a CrossFit enthusiast for many years. She is a Level 1 CrossFIt coach and has been coaching since 2013.
Mandy is a dental hygienist and is happily married to Andrew with whom she has three children: Mariah, William, and Shannon. You’ll also see her at the gym on occasion with her dogs Peach and Pumpkin.
Brynn Stephens
Coach
Brynn is a Level 2 CrossFit and precision nutrition coach and will soon be completing her Masters degree in physiology and kinesiology. Along with 6 years of coaching CrossFit, she has coached soccer, swimming, wrestling, and olympic and power lifting.
After her college soccer career was finished, Brynn met and married her firefighter husband and had three kiddos. In the process, she found CrossFit and strongman where she was able to compete and earn/hold the state record for Deadlift for several years.
Brynn now keeps busy with homeschooling her three kids; hanging with her chickens, cats, and dogs; and getting to the gym every chance she has.
Austin Frey
Coach
Austin’s fitness journey began at just 12 years old, driven by a desire to lose weight and compete at a higher level in sports. With the support of his older brother taking him to a CrossFit gym, he lost 60 pounds, earned a spot on varsity, and eventually played college football.
Earning the chance to walk-on at Texas A&M, Austin redshirted his freshman year before becoming a four-year starter at long snapper. While competing at the collegiate level, he earned a degree in Kinesiology and launched a personal training business out of his garage, helping local high school athletes prepare for their seasons.
After college, Austin trained for the NFL while pursuing his passion for coaching. He spent five years as an Associate Strength and Conditioning Coach for the United States Air Force Academy football team and currently serves as a Strength and Conditioning Coach with the U.S. Army.
Austin’s academic background includes a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and a Master’s in Data Analytics, allowing him to blend practical coaching expertise with a data-driven approach to athlete development, performance optimization, and long-term movement health.
Outside the gym, Austin’s passion for movement extends into the outdoors—he’s an avid dirt biker, trail runner, rafter, and hockey player. He and his wife share their adventures with their two cats, Bennie and Peanut, and their dog, Georgie.
For Austin, fitness isn’t just about PRs or aesthetics—it’s about enhancing your quality of life. Whether you're looking to keep up with your kids, climb your first mountain, or just feel stronger every day, Austin is here to help you get there.