Meet Our Team

  • Woman with pink sports bra and light pink shorts mid air in a jump up to a box.

    Sam Higgins

    OWNER/HEAD COACH - she/her/hers

    Certifications: CF-L2, CF-Kids, Functional Adaptive Trainer

    Sam Higgins is the owner and Head Coach of CrossFit Davidson. She started CrossFit almost a decade ago as a last-ditch effort to salvage her mental health and wellness. Seven months later she had her L1 and Kids certificates and has never looked back. Sam credits CrossFit with helping her regain control of her mental health as well as her physical fitness. Sam has a passion and devotion to kids' fitness and is often heard telling people that "Kids classes are the best 90 minutes of the week!". Sam strives daily to create a space that is inclusive and challenging to everyone! Sam has an affinity for black cats, tattoos and fantasy romance novels.

  • Man in green Tshirt and blue headband at the bottom of a front squat.

    Lucas Higgins

    CO-OWNER/COACH- he/him/his

    Certifications: CF-L2

    Lucas Higgins is not only a coach but jack of all trades here at CrossFit Davidson. Married to the owner will do that. Lucas has spent more than a decade teaching middle schoolers and before that another decade plus as a professional chef. His outgoing nature and background working in various service industires makes Lucas a fantastic asset to our members. Lucas began his CrossFit career roughly 5 years ago when he walked into a gym and hammered out 10 handstand pushups without even trying. He has been overwhelmingly supportive of his partner in her endeavor to own and create a thriving gym space accessible to everyone. He is a dedicated father and husband and outside the gym he indulges his wife and daughters in their need to rescue any animal they come across, and does it with kindness and grace. He loves to unwind by playing his guitar and singing with his wife around a fire. Tattoos and video games keep him sane.

  • Woman smiling, jumping into the air with arms open wide.

    Heather Stafford

    COACH - she/her/hers

    Certifications: CF-L1

    Heather Stafford values fitness, movement, and a healthy active lifestyle! After being a former collegiate cheerleader at ASU, she discovered CrossFit and loved the never ending challenges, the competitive opportunities, the gymnastics foundation, the close knit community, and the stress relief it provided in her life! After doing CrossFit for 10 years, she met an important goal of hers to earn and receive her CF-L1. She also has a passion for working with kids and the sport of gymnastics. She has been a gymnastics coach over the past 13 years. She was excited to find the opportunity to coach Kid Fit at Crossfit Davidson when she moved to the area during the summer of 2023. She hopes to inspire the kids and help train them to have a love for the sport of CrossFit as well as a love for life! Besides working out and coaching, she also enjoys teaching Kindergarten, spending time with her pup Zoe, hiking with friends and family, and visiting local coffee shops!

  • Man in Blue shirt lift a single heavy dumbbell.

    Tyler Crump

    COACH - he/him/hims

    Certifications: CF-L2, Action Personal Training CPT,

    Tyler was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. He played football for a large portion of his life and when he stopped playing he still wanted to keep doing something athletic, which led him to CrossFit. He started doing CrossFit in 2012 and began coaching in 2013 and never looked back! He has seen the changes that consistent training and nutrition has produced in his own health and fitness journey and as a coach he gets to share in those same life-changing moments with others and walk with them through their own journeys. His greatest joy in coaching comes from helping people accomplish more than they thought they could. Tyler also holds a host of additional credentials including but not limited to: Brute Strength Elite Coaching Mentorship, OPEX CCP, OPEX Mixed Modal, and Pain Free Performance Specialist (PPSC).

  • Woman in black sports bra standing up holding onto a climbing rope.

    EmmaLee Haga

    COACH - she/her/hers

    Certifications: CF-L1, CF-Kids, CPT, GFI, Corrective Exercise Specialist

    EmmaLee is passionate about fitness and mental well-being, and she brings that enthusiasm to the CrossFit community. Certified in CF L-1, balance and stretching, and corrective exercise, she uses her expertise to help members reach their full potential. As an obesity medicine exercise specialist, EmmaLee also understands the transformative power of fitness. CrossFit has been pivotal in improving her own mental health, and she’s dedicated to helping others find strength both physically and mentally. Outside the gym, EmmaLee enjoys singing, dancing, meal prepping, and spending time with her son, Onyx.

  • Man with tattooed arms crossed over his chest, wearing a red Tshirt and smiling.

    Grant Shymske

    COACH - he/him/his

    Certifications: CF-L3

    Grant has had the distinct pleasure of being a coach for the better part of fifteen years now. The core has always been CrossFit, but he has also competed and coached in the fields of Strongman, Powerlifting, and Olympic Weightlifting. Grant also dabbled in Ultra Endurance adventure races like GORUCK Selection and Spartan Death Race. 

    He currently is a full time Firefighter with Mooresville Fire Rescue and get to work for the greatest team of coaches in the world on CrossFit Seminar Staff delivering the L1 material to new coaches around the world. He’s been happily married for fifteen years now and enjoys walking their dog Axel and cooking in their meager spare time.