Stephanie "Primal Mama" Amato
Owner and Coach

After a competetive gymnastics and diving career in her younger days, followed by a very long absence from sports, Stephanie joined the CrossFit community in 2006. She began doing CrossFit in Huntington Beach and soon realized how the functional movements of the workout applied to everyday life. It was clear to see that CrossFit was the tool that was helping Stephanie regain her athleticizm. Starting out so weak that she could not even do one push up or sit up, Stephanie left that woman behind to become strong, confident and a fierce competitor.

Stephanie is a Registered Nurse, holds a Level One and Olympic lifting certificate, and is Anaheim CrossFit West’s Nutritional Advisor. Nutrition and recipe writing is a passion of hers as well as her four children and family. You can see evidence of this on her recipe blog.

The effects of CrossFit have shown in all aspects of her life from competing for OCC at Regionals in 2010 to having the stamina to raise twin toddlers at 40 years old. Stephanie’s dream is to help other women achieve the profound life changing experience that
CrossFit brings.

“Any woman can achieve this level of fitness and beyond. I am not special. I am an average woman, wife and mother with a drive to achieve that is ignited by passion. Let me help you achieve your dreams!”

Al Amato
Owner and Coach

Al grew up participating in traditional American sports and has always had a passion for health and fitness all his life. At LMU, Al began playing rugby where he lettered on the varsity team three years. After graduating with his business degree, Al played on the USA Men’s National Rugby Team and four-time National Champion, Belmont Shore Rugby Football Club. Through rugby, Al was fortunate to travel and live in Australia, Europe, and New Zealand. After retiring from rugby in 2000, he decided to attend Pepperdine University for his MBA.

Al trained at a “globo-gym” for many years until a friend recommended CrossFit in 2006. Al and his wife, Stephanie, were immediately hooked after their first workout and have not looked back. Al has been extremely impressed with the dedication, commitment, and community support CrossFit provides to every member no matter what their fitness level is. Al is passionate about making a change in peoples’ lives and believes CrossFit is for everyone.

Al and Stephanie have a full house of present and future Crossfitters with the two youngest being twin boys. Fran has nothing on twin boys!!!

“At Anaheim CrossFit West we’re not just friends, we’re family”

Dan Maher 
General Manager and Coach

Dan is a level one CrossFit coach.  He brings his passion for sports and fitness to ACF WestW to join the great coaching staff already in place.  The transition from playing football at St. Mary's College and coaching at El Modena High school has been an easy one.  He only wishes he had CrossFit back in his playing days.  After some time off with an injury, Dan started back at CrossFit and made a career change to coaching in January and has already seen tremendous strides.  Dan's goal is to continue the growth of the ACF WestW community and forge elite athletes and healthy people in a fun, competitive environment.

Max Marmount 
Coach

From 2005 to 2008 USAW ranking shows Max ranked 1st in California, top 10 in the nation at the 105 kg weight class, and top 25 overall in the nation in Olympic Weightlifting. Coach Max has been a coach for 10+ years. Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at UCI for 4 years. He has been in CrossFit since 2001 and a CF level 3 coach since 2002, a USAW coach since 2002, NASM certified since 2001, and has let numerous other certifications elapse!

He has coached pro-athletes from football players, MMA fighters to golfers. He has been Helping and coaching athletes for the CrossFit Games, Endurance Athletes to qualify for the Boston Marathon and for the Ironman 70.3 Hawaii, pro and semi-pro body builders, figure, fitness competitors and models and Olympic Weightlifters to qualify for the American Open and Nationals. There is nothing that he can not program for!

He loves educating trainers and coaches in many different training systems and nutrition.

His Training philosophy’s are;

“It never gets easy!”
“There is no such thing as over training. Just under recovered!”
“Everyone says there not competitive. That all changes once they start losing!”

Andrew Saldivar 
Coach

Andrew is a level one CrossFit instructor who has been involved in sports all his life including soccer, baseball, football, and hockey. A native of Redondo Beach, he played volleyball at El Camino Community College before transferring to the University of Southern California, where he majored in Kinesiology. While at USC, Andrew worked for the Athletic Medicine Department as an athletic trainer and was involved in biomechanics research. Andrew is a firm believer that CrossFit can help anyone reach a high level of fitness, and is excited to help others achieve their fitness goals. He is currently studying Physical Therapy at Chapman University and hopes to incorporate CrossFit into his future career, just like Kelly Starrett, his CrossFit idol.  Among Andrews many talents and hobbies, most people don't know Andrew is an accomplished Harp player and world champion Hungry, Hungry Hippo player. 

Dollie Tessman
Coach

Dollie is a Level One Certified CrossFit coach.  Hailing from Connecticut, Dollie followed her dreams of being a movie star to Southern California.  When she turned down the lead role in Black Swan because she was getting married and had to lose too much weight for the role, Dollie embraced her athletic background that was found in pole vaulting and moved right into CrossFit.  Dollie can be found in the gym most mornings helping beginners and experienced CrossFitters like reach their goals.  Dollie is a big hugger so if you see her, don't be afraid to give her a big bear hug.      

Laurie Clough
Coach / Nutritionist

Lourie is a Level One CrossFit Certification as of this April.  Laurie started Crossfitting almost 1 year ago and has become an accomplished athlete in that time under the tutelage of Coach Max.  Besides coaching at ACF WestW, "Magic Hands" as she is known, is an great massage therapist.  Laurie traveled around the country in the 80s following the Greatful Dead and can been seen during class having flashbacks every once in a while.  Laurie brings enthusiasm and a great technique to her coaching style.  She is always striving to get better and expects the same of her athletes.