Our Techs
Each member of our team is dedicated to upholding standards of excellence, promoting equality, and maintaining unwavering integrity.
The Elite Coaching Team at Warrior Tech
Meet the exceptional team of coaches at Warrior Tech, a group dedicated to sculpting champions and setting the standard for excellence in the Ninja and OCR world.
Our seasoned coaches bring a wealth of expertise, passion, and commitment to every training session.
With a focus on nurturing individual growth and fostering a supportive community, they guide athletes of all levels through specialized programs in Ninja Warrior and OCR training.
Renowned for their coaching prowess, our team has consistently produced multiple champions, solidifying Warrior Tech as the go-to destination for top-tier coaching in the Southeast.
Join us on your journey to greatness with the best coaches at your side, empowering you to conquer obstacles and achieve your fitness goals.
Justin
Justin has been our Kids Program Director since we started Warrior Tech back in 2016 and became one of our owners as of January 2024. Having been a personal trainer since 2007, he had worked with many different demographics. Throughout his career, Justin has worked with athletes from a variety of sports, individuals looking to improve their fitness, clients recovering from injuries, and those addressing movement imbalances. This diverse experience has shaped his comprehensive approach to maximizing performance while improving overall health and well-being.
Before beginning his career in the fitness industry, Justin served six years in the United States Army. He graduated from Ranger School, served with the 3rd Ranger Battalion, earned the rank of Sergeant, and was responsible for leading his section's physical fitness programming. The Army instilled in him the discipline, leadership, and high-performance mindset that continue to influence his coaching philosophy today.
While Justin developed a strong foundation in the physical aspects of training, he spent years searching for a systematic approach to mental performance that aligned with his coaching philosophy. That search led him to With Winning in Mind by Lanny Bassham, which transformed the way he approached coaching and athlete development.
Inspired by the system, Justin connected directly with Lanny to learn how to implement the principles with his athletes. After completing weeks of one-on-one instruction under Lanny, he became a Level III Certified Mental Management Instructor—the highest level of certification in the system. Today, Justin is licensed to teach the complete Mental Management System. In addition to the four core courses, he provides individualized coaching to help athletes apply the principles to their unique goals, challenges, and competitive environments. His focus is on building a complete mental system that enables athletes to train with purpose, compete with confidence, and perform consistently under pressure.
Carrie
My why is motivational. I have always taken care of myself and my very active kids, Michael (18), Brady (15), Caitlin (12) and Parker (2). I try to motivate them every day to be the best that they can be, and believe today is my tomorrow and that it is up to us to shape it, to take control, and to seize every opportunity. I am very excited to continue to lead Warrior Tech and support our wonderful staff. As owner, the Director of Finance, and the organizational backbone of Warrior Tech OCR and Warrior Tech Raleigh, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to be part of something great and I could not have asked for a better group of people to work with.
Melissa
While Coach Melissa/Mosby thought it would be impossible to be surrounded by sports and fitness this much as an adult, she is still playing soccer in a couple leagues, is attempting ninja, and is working with a variety of clients as a personal trainer. Following a degree at UNC Chapel Hill in Exercise and Sport Science and living abroad for a couple years, Mosby got into personal training in 2018 with her NSCA certification. She discovered the world of Obstacle Course Racing through some clients that roped her into doing a Rugged Maniac with them in 2019, and she has only wanted to continue racing in OCRs ever since. Over the years, she curated an interest in nutrition due to its large influence on physical activity and daily life and has a few certifications through M2 Performance Nutrition.
With a passion for sports, races, and the need to prepare for them both, Mosby has had a blast training groups at OCR to have more Strength, better Metabolic Conditioning and Obstacle Course Readiness since 2023! Now, as the General Manager of the Morrisville/OCR facility, Mosby is eager to continue to grow with Warrior Tech on and off the obstacles!!
Drew
Drew McLaughlin was born in Attleboro, MA, and raised in Rutherfordton, NC. As a committed coach, he is passionate about inspiring young athletes to challenge their limits and elevate their skills. He began coaching Ninja in 2022, bringing a diverse background of athletics and education to the role. Drew graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Exercise Science and from North Carolina Central University with a degree in Physics.
Before diving into coaching, Drew was a standout athlete, playing college football at Carson-Newman University in 2008 and excelling in football, baseball, and basketball during high school. He also coached football, baseball and basketball while in college, gaining valuable experience in mentoring young athletes.
A passionate believer in the importance of fitness, Drew enjoys staying active through working out (weight training, plyometrics, running, and yoga), playing basketball, football and competing in Ninja competitions. When he’s not coaching or training, he loves spending time with his four cats and large family of 13 siblings. Drew combines his love for sports, science, and competition to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment for all his students.
Nolan
We’ve been incredibly lucky to have Coach Nolan as part of the Warrior Tech family since 2017. From day one, his dedication to the sport and our community has been undeniable. If you’ve ever stepped into our highest-level classes, you know him as a powerhouse leader on the Black Team, where he trains with and pushes our other athletes. Nolan doesn't just coach at the highest level but competes there too. He is a phenomenal 10-time world finalist in both the World Ninja League and the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association, having placed 2nd in the world in the world in 2022. His elite experience on the world stage brings an unmatched level of expertise, strategy, and inspiration to every single class he coaches. Off the obstacles, Nolan is just as committed to purpose and leadership. He is currently attending Judson College, where he is pursuing his degree in vocational ministry. Whether he’s helping an athlete conquer a difficult obstacle or diving into his studies, Nolan’s heart for leadership and community shines through in every role he takes on.
Matt
Matt Kalanz is a veteran Ninja Warrior coach with more than 10 years of experience. With a PhD in Kinesiology, Matt develops programming for Warrior Tech members, designs obstacles and competition courses, and blends sports science with practical movement focused coaching to help ninjas improve performance and reduce injury risk. Most importantly, Matt aims to provide a a welcoming environment where athletes of any level can enjoy the sport and become part of the WT Community.
Erin
Coach Erin has already brought the pain on Saturdays, so get ready as she takes on the weekend training for us all! Erin started her professional trainer career in grad school while studying the effects of exercise in pigs (yep, you read that right, pigs!). She has Masters in Animal Physiology - which ummm, pigs, mud, OCR, seriously we see the connection ;0). She started racing with half marathons in 2012 and on a whim in 2018, decided to try this thing called a Spartan race. She went into her first race (Sprint) totally unprepared, did a LOT of burpees, went home, signed up for a super and started training with a tractor tire in her yard and carrying a sand bag around the neighborhood! So far, she has completed 14 half marathons and 5 spartan races across 12 states. Her goal is to complete a race in every state (and maybe a few different countries) . After moving to Raleigh, she joined WT in 2022 for her first OCR gym experience and got hooked! She recently decided to put her years of racing, injury recovery, and physiology experience into use as a Certified Personal Trainer to help others train for their goals.
Mariesa
Coach Mariesa's fitness journey began about a decade ago when she decided she was tired of being overweight, unhealthy, and insecure with how she looked. Her weight loss journey took a roller coaster ride before finding success through her participation in a bootcamp.
As time went on, Mariesa started participating in Spartan races and her perspective around training changed. She started training NOT to lose weight, but to prepare for her races. Eventually she was racing competitively in the ELITE category, and actually scored a second place podium in her first elite race!
Mariesa decided that if she could do it, anyone could. She realized her passion was HELPING OTHERS achieve things they never thought possible, become comfortable and empowered in their bodies, and realize that they are more than just a number on a scale. She got her CPT and Nutrition certifications through NASM, and her Spartan SGX to follow through with her goals of helping others.
Mariesa eventually switched over from Spartans to hybrid racing, and managed to qualify for the DEKA World Championships in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, she was TOP 20 IN THE WORLD!
Alex
Coach Alex has been working with us since 2024, when he first joined our team after graduating from high school and was simply looking for a job. Since then, he has discovered a true passion for ninja and regularly trains at our facility alongside our incredible adult ninja class.
Alex coaches all levels, from our youngest beginner ninjas to our top competitive athletes. He is also one of the lead coaches for our Summer and Track Out Camps, where he helps create a fun, safe, and engaging experience for every camper. One of Coach Alex's greatest strengths is his positive attitude. He brings energy, encouragement, and patience to every class, making each student feel supported and motivated to do their best. His enthusiasm for ninja is contagious, and he is a fantastic role model both on and off the course.
Bryce
Coach Bryce moved to the Raleigh area in 2024 and quickly found a home at Warrior Tech. Originally from Florida, Bryce has trained alongside some of the best ninjas on the planet, including ANW Grand Champions and WNL World Champions. Bryce competed on season 13 of American Ninja Warrior and continues to compete locally and nationwide. He also holds the distinction of being the “Worlds Strongest Ninja” from his efforts during the 2025 WNL season. Outside of Ninja, Coach Bryce can be found on your nearest hiking trail, in front of a dart board, or watching hockey and horror movies with his wife. Stop by Warrior Tech Raleigh for a warm smile, verbose stories and waaaaay too many dad jokes!
Lorelei
Lorelei has been involved in ninja for the past four years and brings a strong athletic background to the gym. She was a Level 9 gymnast and has also trained in medieval sword fighting, giving her a unique blend of strength, agility, and coordination.
She is a multiple-time WNL Finals qualifier and a two-time NCL Champion, showcasing her consistency and competitive drive at a high level. In addition to her training and competition experience, Lorelei is also a student at Wake Tech.
Her diverse skill set, competitive success, and passion for movement make her an exciting and valuable part of our team.
Shane
Shane was one of the original coaches at Warrior Tech back in 2017, bringing a background in parkour and high school wrestling to the ninja world. After several years of coaching and competing, he stepped away to serve five years in the United States Marine Corps, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant and led as an Amphibious Assault Vehicle Commander.
After completing his service, Shane felt a strong pull back toward coaching and returned to Warrior Tech with a renewed sense of purpose. He now combines his military experience with his athletic background to help others build strength, confidence, and resilience. He’s competed in multiple Spartan Races and is actively training for a return to ninja competitions. all while continuing to coach with passion and intent.
