Avenal State Prison promotes healthier lifestyle

March 3, 2025

Avenal State Prison (ASP) is helping others learn how to live a healthier lifestyle.

In February, ASP Coach Bryan Eskew and 15 incarcerated individuals took part in a two-day CrossFit trainer seminar.

“It is the first time CDCR has provided a level one CrossFit certification for the population. That is really in part to the hard work and dedication from Coach Eskew,” said Headquarters Recreation Coach Heidi Wippel.

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Trainer seminar is first for population

“I’m proud of these guys, they’ve stuck with it,” said Eskew. “We are expanding to other yards, so hopefully under my tenure this will be on every yard at Avenal State Prison.”

Michael Razo and Adam Baker, both incarcerated at ASP, started this CrossFit group six years ago, and their hard work is paying off.

“These trainers from CrossFit showed up to run us through this certification and teach us everything we need to know to be effective CrossFit trainers,” said Baker.

Head CrossFit trainers Patrick Barber and Nick Thomlison took the lead in coaching this first-ever CrossFit seminar at a California correctional facility.

“What we do here is a back and forth between teaching movement and then teaching theory,” said Barber.

The in-person introductory course focuses on the fundamental principles and movements of CrossFit. This course teaches training techniques and nutritional strategies so the incarcerated students can eventually coach CrossFit themselves.

Certification could lead to employment opportunities

“These guys will take a test at the end. When they pass that test, they will receive a CrossFit level one trainer certificate,” said Barber.

Once they are released into their community, they will have the certificate and skill sets to teach at CrossFit affiliates. This allows them to find jobs at gyms and move up levels within CrossFit. Eventually, they could even open their own gyms.

“They have the ability now (and) a credential. They have some time under their belt to walk into a gym and say, ‘Hey I want to change my life, can you help me do that?’” said Thomlison.

“This carries out in the real world. I’ve had a couple friends who were a part of our group that went out and people are trying to hire them as personal trainers at a CrossFit gym. It’s just incredible,” said Baker.

Changing mindsets

“It’s a dream come true (as) it’s a way for me to give to others,” said Razo. “Since growing up in gangs and having that mentality before of just taking from others, now I have a platform where I can give. That is what CrossFit is to me. It gives me a platform to give to other people.”

Trainers Barber and Thomlison are leaving with more than just the satisfaction of completing another CrossFit seminar.

“I’m thankful for this,” said Barber, “If I think there is a demographic that could be served more than these guys by this, I don’t think I could come up with that right now.”

“I try to change lives for the positive with this stuff, but I think it is going both ways this time for sure,” said Thomlison.

Story, video by Ashton Harris, information officer
Office of Public and Employee Communications