INVICTUS MIAMI COACHES
Chad Murphy – Coach/Owner
Chad, a Florida native, has dedicated his life to fitness, with a particular passion for kickboxing and martial arts over the past 25 years. A standout multisport athlete in high school, he earned All-State honors in football and attracted interest from Division I schools. Chad continued his football journey at the University of Northern Alabama, where he enjoyed a successful college career before returning to South Florida. With extensive experience managing gyms in the Miami area, Chad eventually discovered CrossFit, which has become transformative in his fitness journey. Today, he is a Level 2 certified CrossFit and Gymnastics coach, bringing his diverse athletic background and deep commitment to fitness to his coaching.
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.
Jerle Vale – Coach
I was raised in the Army as the daughter of a colonel in the Brazilian Army, instilling in me a deep sense of discipline and respect for the rules. I chose to pursue a career in Physiotherapy, dedicating three years to the study of functional rehabilitation. However, an unexpected opportunity arose that changed my destiny when I was offered the position of manager at an innovative gym in my hometown. This has given me the chance to share my passion for fitness with others. Over the course of eight years, I have honed my management acumen, fostering an environment conducive to member growth and realizing their fitness aspirations. Even so, fate charted a new course for me when my family moved to Miami embracing this change as a path to personal reinvention, I transitioned into the role of a personal trainer, specializing in bodybuilding and exercise correction.
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.
Ruben Ramirez – Coach
I grew up in Venezuela, playing all kinds of sports like soccer, basketball, baseball and beach volleyball. But when I first tried CrossFit at 18, I became addicted. 7 years later and my passion for CrossFit continues to grow as I learn more about it as an athlete and coach. I am now happy to show others how great this sport can be for you and its many health benefits. Join me at my Sunday Sweat classes at 10 am!
