Our Mission
Our Mission
and Our Team
and Our Team
WE PROMISE TO HELP YOU PURSUE YOUR BETTER BY DELIVERING AN INSPIRATIONAL FITNESS EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER
We also promise to motivate you through elegantly brutal workouts, rockstar trainers, and a community vibe that can’t be found anywhere else.
And since 2013, this is exactly how we’ve been able to help our members not only reach, but maintain, their fitness and health goals. At Daybreak, it’s not about churning members through our system…. it’s about building a wildly loyal member base who become more than just your gym buddies.
And when everything you do favors QUALITY OVER QUANTITY, you can create something pretty darn special.
THE FORMULA IS SIMPLE, THE EXECUTION IS NOT
We live here, work here, play here and send our kids to school here, so we understand your need for an effective and motivating fitness program that balances family, work, friends and school.
We didn’t invent CrossFit, functional fitness, or high-intensity interval training (HIIT). And we’re not the only gym to promote group-based, cardio workouts. But we are special in that we figured out how to deliver an amazingly efficient fitness program that meets each of our members’ unique needs. So you see, it’s really not about the “what” we do… it’s about the “how” we do it.
Our workouts are designed to challenge, intrigue and keep your visits to the gym fresh. We incorporate FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENTS which are based on real-life activities. When we add VARIETY and RELATIVE INTENSITY our workouts come to life. This philosophy keeps Daybreak’s workouts safe. It keeps them interesting. And it makes it ours one of the most effective fitness programs on the planet.
We’ve taken the generic class-based fitness model and added a huge heap of individualized coaching to it. Our certified coaches are further trained by owner, Mel Ockerby, one of the industry’s most credentialed leaders. Not only are they trained to teach movement, but they’re equally skilled at getting to KNOW YOU, YOUR GOALS and YOUR ABILITIES.
Our COMMUNITY defines us. It embraces newcomers in a NON-JUDGMENTAL and UNPREJUDICED way. To this day, we continue to have one of the lowest attrition rates in the industry because our community breeds positivity and inclusiveness. Our members are crazy loyal because they are not just a number here… they’re a part of something much, much bigger.
CrossFit incorporates movements we use in everyday life. These movements form the basis of our one-hour, coach-led, group workouts. When we add VARIETY and RELATIVE INTENSITY these FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENTS come to life. This philosophy keeps our workouts safe. It keeps them interesting. And it makes it the most effective fitness program on the planet.
A fitness program without the staff to deliver it is a waste of time and money. Daybreak’s coaches are trained by owner, Mel Ockerby, one of the industry’s most credentialed leaders. Our coaches are not only trained to teach movement, but they’re equally skilled at getting to KNOW YOU, YOUR GOALS and YOUR ABILITIES. And by getting to know YOU, we can better ensure YOUR SUCCESS!
Our Community is what SETS US APART. We established it in 2013, and we’ve maintained an attrition rate that’s the lowest in the industry. Our members are crazy loyal because we value QUALITY OF MEMBER over quantity. It’s our welcoming and inclusive community that keeps you accountable, motivated and coming back for more!
OUR COACHING TEAM & FOUNDERS
CERTS & EDUCATION:
CrossFit Level 3 Trainer (CF-L3)
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2, CPC)
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1)
CrossFit HQ Level 1 Seminar Staff
CrossFit Coaches Prep Course
CrossFit Aerobic Capacity
CrossFit Gymnastics
CrossFit Mobility
CrossFit Olympic Lifting
CrossFit Endurance
CrossFit Strongman
CrossFit Judge Certified
CPR & Safety Certified
BS Nutrition
BIO:
Mel has been coaching CrossFit since 2008 and brings to Daybreak a wealth of experience from world-class organizations such as CrossFit New England (Natick), Reebok World Headquarters (Canton), and CrossFit HQ Seminar Staff (worldwide). When coupled with the time owning and operating Daybreak, you have one of the most accomplished coaches in the greater Boston area. She has seen the life altering benefits CrossFit has made on everyone from competitive athletes (herself included) to 60+ year-old grandparents, and with this background she has built an inclusive and motivating fitness community we call Daybreak.
Mel’s mission is to enrich this community with her pursuit of excellence in coaching and by holding true to the movements, standards and theories of CrossFit… which, by no coincidence, is how she elicits the positive physical and mental adaptations that take place when her members step out of their comfort zones. Not only does Mel subscribe to this philosophy, but she also has a long and proven track record of safely and effectively delivering results to her members.
When Mel moved to Sudbury, with her now husband Eric, she saw there were a lot of “fitness” options in the area, but it was even more revealing what she “didn’t” see… there were no fresh, new perspectives on functional fitness which catered to clients of all ages and abilities. She knew right away that her unique flavor of CrossFit could ultimately change the game.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
2021 CF Individual and Master Qualifier
2013 CF Regional Northeast – 6th
2013 CFNE Competitors Comp – 1st
2012 CrossFit Games (team) – 12th
2012 CF Regional Northeast (team) – 1st
2011 CF Games (team) – 1st
2011 CF Regional Northeast – 4th
2010 CrossFit Games (team) – 2nd
2010 CF Regional Northeast (team) – 1st
CERTS & EDUCATION:
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1)
- CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2, CPC)
- BS in Sports Medicine/ Movement Science, Westfield State University
- Associates Degree Physical Therapist Assistant- Springfield Technical Community College
- Precision Nutrition Certified
- RYT 200 Yoga Certification
- CPR/AED certification
BIO:
Lisa initially heard about CrossFit from a first responder back in 2011 when she was working as a Rehab aide in a physical therapy outpatient clinic.
After years of running in Track and Field and Cross Country, Lisa knew she needed something more than just running. Her experience with CrossFit made her feel accomplished, stronger, and more energized than just stacking up the running miles.
In October 2018, she took her first class at DayBreak and was reminded of why she loves CrossFit philosophy: it’s functionality and its ability to add years onto peoples’ lives.
This meshed perfectly with Lisa’s passion for and experience in yoga, rehabilitiation and overall improvement of the quality of life of the people around her.
In addition to coaching, Lisa spends her days providing physical therapy for the geriatric population which is a key reason why Lisa is a huge advocate for CrossFit and overall wellness.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
MASCAC XC Team Champions ’08 ’09 ’10
MASCAC Pole Vaulting Champion ‘07
CERTS & EDUCATION:
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1)
CrossFit Judge Certified
CPR & Safety Certified
USSA Level 100 Certified Ski Coach
BA Business, St. Anselm College
BIO:
Bill found CrossFit in February 2012 after a co-worker convinced him to try it while on a business trip in Dallas, TX. Soon after, he found a local CrossFit gym in Waltham, MA and still remembers that life-changing WOD of power cleans, burpees and box jumps.
Even though he grew up ski racing in high school and college, Bill never devoted himself to physical fitness or proper nutrition. Throw 4 knee surgeries into the mix and Bill’s twenties left him far from “fit”. Fast forward to today, Bill is quick to credit CrossFit as the key to his 35-pound weight loss and reduction of 6” from his waistline.
In the Fall of 2013, Bill, his wife Sara (then pregnant with daughter Keegan), and their daughter Finley, started house hunting in Sudbury. After putting as much diligence in their CrossFit search as they did in their search for a new home, Bill and Sara joined Daybreak as one of Daybreak’s first “couples”.
Having coached for both the St. Anselm ski team and Loon Mountain kids race program in the past, his desire to help athletes of all ages and abilities reach their max potential has returned, and he now gets to do so as part of the Daybreak coaching staff.
CERTS & EDUCATION:
- CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2)
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1)
- Adaptive/Inclusive Trainer
- CrossFit Weightlifting
- MA in Urban & Regional Policy
- BA in Social Ecology
BIO:
Pancho discovered his love for CrossFit in 2016 after a marathon training injury forced him to add strength training to his routine. He walked through the doors at Daybreak and immediately found himself hooked on the constantly-varied workouts, the challenges each presented, and the supportive community that relentlessly cheered each other on.
Pancho is a dancer. Literally. Not only does he jam to tunes in the gym, but he is a retired dancer (ballet & modern) who has traveled the world performing. Once he retired, he transitioned to producing and instructing his own choreography for 10 years.
His experience in dance allows Pancho to see our members and movement through a unique lens. He knows how bodies need to move to move to produce a desired outcome. Whether it’s jumping from a plié or performing a heavy snatch… Pancho loves helping his students master new techniques and skills.
Outside the gym, Pancho works for the State of Massachusetts as an Urban Planner, working to improve Main Streets into more vibrant, urban centers. He is also working towards an MBA at Bentley University with a concentration in Leadership. When not coaching (and sometimes right after), you may catch him eating his bakery fave: donuts! — in moderation of course. 🙂
CERTS & EDUCATION:
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1)
- CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2)
- MBA, Babson College
- BA, Boston College
BIO:
Jim found CrossFit in 2011, after hearing about it from his brother, who was getting better results from 5 hours a week of Crossfit than his 15+ hours of running/biking/lifting routine. After taking an on-ramp course with Mel and a training partner, he was hooked. He instantly became a regular and quickly found the competitive environment and community that keeps him super motivated. When Mel and Rap told him they were opening a box in Sudbury and needed founding members to advocate…well that was heaven! Jim and his wife Jen along with their son Jackson and daughter Morgan have been dedicated members since day one.
Jim has been involved in coaching Lacrosse for most of his adult life and in youth functional fitness since 2015. He played D1 collegiate Lacrosse for Navy and Boston College and was an Assistant Coach at Babson while in grad school. He has coached for the youth lacrosse program in Sudbury for the last 15 years.
Jim spent over 2 decades in high-tech and now spends his time volunteering.
CERTS & EDUCATION:
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1)
- CrossFit Judge Certified
- EMP, CPR, AED certified
- Firefighter 1 & 2 Certificate
- Hazmat Operations Level Responder
- BS In Psychology
BIO:
Jess fell in love with CrossFit in 2013 when she was hesitantly peer pressured to join with a friend back in the parking lot days of Daybreak. She was always into fitness and working out but was missing that team feeling and comradery she had back when she played sports in school. CrossFit quickly filled that void of friendly competition and being able to track your personal improvement while having fun.
Along the way the Daybreak community became a staple in her life and she has made friendships that feel more like family. From career changes, marriage to welcoming their son, Daybreak was there.
Jess is a Weston Firefighter and EMT. She has over 6 years experience working on an ambulance and truly loves helping others. This fulfillment translates over to CrossFit where you can find her always giving pointers, cues, and guiding others to pursue their better.
CERTS & EDUCATION:
- MS in Physical Therapy, Washington University St. Louis
- BA Physiology and Psychology of Human Movement, Connecticut College
- Certified Massage Therapist, Bancroft School of Massage Therapy
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1)
- Adaptive/ Inclusive Trainer
BIO:
Sara started CF in 2017 (at the age of 45 ) when she was looking for something to keep her interested and motivated. She is still loving it today!
From her background as a physical therapist, Sara is aware of the importance of strengthening and staying active as we age. CrossFit checks so many boxes when it comes to healthy aging – Functional movements that can be adapted or scaled so everyone can safely push themselves and having a sense of community are two of the most important.
She is passionate about helping people move well and move often through all phases of life.
CERTS & EDUCATION:
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1)
- CrossFit Judge Certified
- MBA, Boston University
- MS Information Systems, Boston University
- BS Business Administration
BIO:
Eric found CrossFit in 2010, when the monotony and time commitments of Ironman triathlon training and racing finally took its toll. Being accustomed to 6+ hour training sessions, he was quite skeptical when he was introduced to CrossFit and its simple, 1-hour class program. But soon after he was scooped off the floor after only a 9 minute workout, he knew CrossFit was special. After only 1 year of CrossFit, he was leaner and more capable than he was after ten years of triathlons, and realized he had found a fitness community that kept him interested, engaged and motivated.
Knowing how CrossFit changed his life, he wanted to give back to the Sudbury/Wayland community where he currently lives and raises his two young daughters with his wife Mel. He has been an active member in the Sudbury school and sports scene through his participation coaching his girls and administrating in the Sudbury Youth Soccer and Basketball Associations.
Eric spends his days in the high-tech industry helping organizations expand into new markets, develop new products and acquire new companies.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
2021 CF Masters Qualifier
2018 CF Team Series (45-49) – 3rd
2015 CF Sobo Masters Comp – 2nd
2015 CF Masters Qualifier – 124 in world
2015 CF Open Masters (40-44) – Top 1%
2013 CF Open Masters (40-44) – Top 1%
2013 Reebok Masters CF Comp – 3rd
2012 CFNE Masters Comp – 4th
2012 Spartan Beast 13m Race – Top 10%
2x Ironman Lake Placid – 11:58:43PR
2x Chicago Marathon Finisher – 3:56PR
Boston Marathon Finisher