INVICTUS MIAMI COACHES
Chad Murphy – Coach/Owner
Chad Murphy, a Florida native, has dedicated over 30 years to fitness, fueled by a particular passion for kickboxing and martial arts. A standout multisport athlete in high school, Chad earned All-State honors in football, drawing attention from Division I programs. He continued his athletic journey at the University of Northern Alabama, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and excelled in college football before returning to South Florida. Chad has been involved in CrossFit for over 17 years, a journey that transformed his approach to fitness. In 2011, he opened Invictus Miami, a strength and conditioning gym built on his philosophy of intelligent, challenging, and rewarding training. He has coached a wide range of athletes, including retired NFL football players, retired MLB baseball players, and has been coaching Yvonne “Pudge” Rodriguez for many years. Chad also works with athletes from football, baseball, golf, and everyday individuals striving for peak performance. He has coached at the CrossFit Games Masters division five years in a row, helping athletes achieve four CrossFit Games championships on the sport’s biggest stage. Now a Level 2 Certified CrossFit Coach, Certified Gymnastics Coach, and USA Weightlifting Coach, Chad combines his extensive education, diverse athletic background, and unwavering commitment to helping others achieve their fitness goals.
Jorge Valdes – Co-Owner
Having been raised in Miami and attending the University of Miami for my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, I have seen the city grow and had the opportunity to participate in sports and fitness my whole life. Started weightlifting and running track in high school. Then continued my weightlifting and transitioned into long distance running. At the peak I ran the NY Marathon, which is an event that I will never forget. Started CrossFit in 2017 and fell in love with it. I quickly gained my Crossfit Level 1 trainer designation and began to be more involved in the overlap between healthcare, fitness, nutrition, and longevity. During my career as a corporate executive, I never gave up my passion for sports and fitness, working out daily and continuing my learning about fitness and nutrition. I retired as Chief Technical Officer at Dexcom Inc. in 2017, after spending 12 years with Dexcom.
Mario Santaella – Coach
I grew up in Venezuela and moved to the United States in 2016. After two years of training in CrossFit, I wanted to deepen my understanding of the sport, which led me to earn my L1 certification within a few months. Initially, my focus was on excelling in competitions and personal growth, but I soon realized that coaching was much more fulfilling. This insight encouraged me to take on additional coaching responsibilities and earn my L2 certification. Throughout this journey, I discovered a passion for helping others and found great joy in witnessing my client’s progress. This motivated me to continuously enhance my skills and knowledge, even obtaining a nutrition certification. Today, I am confident in my ability to support individuals at all levels, both in their CrossFit training and in improving their nutrition, health, and well-being.
Kurt Schenck – Coach
A lifelong athlete, Kurt started playing competitive soccer and basketball at age 5 and continued into his early 20s. His focus shifted to health, fitness, and longevity for himself and the athletes he coaches. He found CrossFit in 2013, earned his Level 1 trainer certification in 2014, and has been coaching on and off ever since. Kurt has a particular passion for body control and proprioception, with gymnastics and Olympic weightlifting being his favorite aspects of CrossFit.
