Our Staff
Colin Clark
Coach / Owner
CF-L2 | CF Kids | CF Mobility
In 2010, after several years of CrossFit training at a local box in Houston, Colin was convinced of the positive effects of this type of fitness regime and transformed his garage into a CrossFit gym. What began as a hobby transformed into a team of athletes dedicated to helping others reach their fitness goals. Originally from El Paso, Colin was a high school athlete and collegiate rower at the University of Texas at Austin. Not only is Colin passionate about the physical aspect of CrossFit, he enjoys the mental aspect and the strength that comes from mind and body alignment. As many will attest, he's also a stickler for perfect form. Outside of exercising (CrossFit, Skiing, Basketball), Colin loves cooking and collegiate football.
Rafael Gallo
Head Coach
CF-L2 | 2021 CrossFit Games National Champion of El Salvador
Rafael is a Canadian born, raised Texan, with a Salvadorian heritage. Raf played college football and went pro for 2 years. He started CrossFit in 2017 and became a coach in 2020.
Erica Calvery
General Manager / Coach
CF-L2 | CF Kids | CF Gymnastics
Erica believes CrossFit saved her life. Not in the sense that she was unhealthy and physically needing a change but more like a mental emergency. Like so many, she had lost her passion, and was unchallenged, uninspired, and withdrawing more and more. In January of 2012, she stumbled into her first box and left changed forever. It brought her back to life and led her to becoming a Certified Personal Trainer, a nutrition coach, and a Level 2 CrossFit trainer. A perfect day for Erica would include a meditation, a fresh meal shared with friends, and a spicy metcon. All of which she says require you to be fully present and not take yourself too seriously. She believes that’s the magic of Crossfit. “It reminds you that you already have everything you need to be healthy, happy, and whole, you just have to get out of your own way.”
Zack Hollday
Coach
Zack graduated in 2018 from Texas A&M with an Industrial Engineering Degree. He works full time as an Integration Engineer contracting with NASA.
Zack coaches at Derive because he loves CrossFit and has a passion for helping others reach their goals! He’s been doing CrossFit on and off for 8 years and has been doing Olympic lifts for 15. Outside of CrossFit, he also enjoys biking, running, and swimming which lead him to complete his first half Ironman in 2021.
Shannon Delaney
Coach
CF-L1
Shannon was introduced to CrossFit in 2019 by a coworker and was immediately hooked. She enjoys the supportive community, varied workouts, and learning new skills. Outside of CrossFit, Shannon enjoys running, soccer, and yoga.
Shannon currently holds her CrossFit Level 1 training certification. She has been a Physical Therapist for 9 years, working with the pediatric and neurological populations. She believes in the importance of exercising throughout the entire lifespan, because movement is medicine.
Hannah Middleton
Coach
CF-L1
Vanessa Licardie
Coach
CF-L1
Vanessa was first introduced to CrossFit in 2017 in her hometown, Albuquerque, NM. The first CrossFit workout she ever did was a partner WOD with an echo bike and toes to bar which somehow kept her coming back for more. For her, CrossFit is about more than just working out, it's about holding yourself to a higher standard, pushing yourself past what you think is possible, and finding strength both inside and outside of the gym. Her favorite thing about coaching is the look on someone's face when they accomplish something they didn't think they could do. Being part of a community that holds you accountable and helps you cheer on your victories is what's kept her going.
Vanessa got her L-1 in May of 2023 and started coaching shortly after. When she's not at Derive, she's probably watching CrossFit somewhere as a spectator, spending time outside reading a book, or going on adventures with her little husky.
Liam Slaven
Coach
CF-L3
I was introduced to CrossFit during rugby pre-season in Aberdeen, Scotland. Instantly hooked my life got flip turned upside down and CrossFit became my passion! Starting coaching in 2014 I have loved every moment of it. Being part of peoples CrossFit journey is very rewarding and knowing much of an impact a good coach can have it drives me to constantly develop. When not in the gym I enjoy watching movies, listening to podcast, video games and trying to recover for the next WOD!
Liam became a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer in 2014, a CrossFit Level 2 Trainer in 2016, CrossFit Level 3 Trainer in 2018 and holds certificates in CrossFit Kids and CrossFit Weightlifting.