Chapter Presidents
Oxford Pennsylvania Chapter
MARK ABBOTT CPL. USMC
CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Mark Abbott is a United States Marine Corps Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He Served as an 0311 Rifleman in Echo Company, of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment based at camp LeJeune North Carolina from 2006-2010.
After coming home, Mark and his wife HaLeigh worked to establish a civilian life and started a family, but the camaraderie of active duty was missing for Mark.
After finding The Weekly Fight through friends, Mark found support and purpose in helping other vets find their new brotherhood.
Mark and his wife, HaLeigh, stood up the second chapter of The Weekly Fight on June of '17 at CrossFit Thunder Hill in Oxford, Pa with the help of gym owners John and Jill Wallen.
Manayuck Pennsylvania Chapter
JAMES TAULBEE SGT FIRST CLASS U.S. ARMY/USMC
CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Born in Lebanon, PA, raised in York, PA. Joined the Marine Corps in April 1999 as an 0351; Infantry/Anti Armor Assaultman. Two tours in Iraq encompassing most of 2003, 2004 and 2005. After years of battling PTSD and a myriad of physical ailments for a lot of years after the war, found his way to his first CrossFit box, and his life was changed forever. The positivity, inclusiveness, pain subsiding and camaraderie were something that was missing for a long time. From athlete, then coach, then level 2 coach, now gym owner of Fire for Effect Athletics and member of Rob Orlando's CrossFit Strongman seminar staff...James hopes to spread the message that we can keep fighting, and win battle after battle, with the help of fitness, wellness, and friends.
York Pennsylvania Chapter
CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Pottstown PA Chapter
ROBERT MATTHEWS U.S. ARMY
CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Left high school at age 16 to join the US Army once age 17 was reached, Received GED in the military. Left the army in Sept 1983 and began a career in the machining trades as a machinist tool maker.
In December 1992 established a Karate Club having trained in the martial arts since age 14. This club was run and developed in the evening after working the trade during the day.
At age 50 retired from the trade and pushed fulltime to establish the Pottstown Karate Club / CrossFit Pottstown. In 2007 the Karate Club evolved to include a CrossFit Affiliate, CrossFit Pottstown. Over the years having developed several programs we decided to combine all. In 2014 Pottstown Athletic Club was established.
Over the 37 years of combined coaching and training, received CFL1 trainers certificate, United States National Karate Federation / United States Olympic Committee (USANKF – USOC ) Instructors certificate and WKF – IOC (World Karate Federation – International Olympic Committee ) Referee certificate.
Current Executive Director of Pottstown Athletic Club a 501c3 Non Profit with the emphasis of providing opportunities to underprivileged households within the Pottstown Area - our mission statement is “fitness, for all, forever”