You will love our Coaching staff!
Owner and Coach - Macky Trotter
Macky is the Founder and Owner of Stillhouse CrossFit. During the first few months that Stillhouse was a CrossFit affiliate, all classes were held in her husband’s shop next to their home. The building at Cleveland Crossing Drive was ready in January 2021, and we moved in immediately. Macky is married to her husband Daniel and has been blessed with three beautiful children, Dierks, Audie, and Winnie. She played Division I Soccer in College while obtaining a degree in Kinesiology. Since then she played on a semi-pro team, worked as a personal trainer, and coached high school soccer. Macky discovered CrossFit while seeking variety in her personal fitness routine and founded Stillhouse CrossFit in July 2020.
Coach Chess Royal
Chess has been at Stillhouse since March 2021. He grew up playing sports and played every intramural sport available in College. Chess was also on the club Ultimate Frisbee team, club snow ski team, and club swim team at ECU. He started CrossFit in 2012 and after about a year he got his level one CrossFit certification, as well as a kettlebell certification. In 2013 he married his amazing wife Lindsay and they now have 3 boys and a girl (newborn, 5,6, and 15). His favorite things to do in a workout are hands down, running, and wall balls (yes, there is something wrong with him). Chess is super excited about getting to know everyone even better and getting a chance to help you meet your goals!
Coach Erin Thomas Horne
Erin has been at Stillhouse since June 2021. She grew up in Garner. She attended Campbell University for her undergraduate and Masters degrees in Elementary Education. In 2010, she completed her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from NC State University. She currently serves as the Assistant Dean for the NC State University College of Education. Erin started her CrossFit journey in 2012 shortly after the birth of her first child. She continued to participate in CrossFit through her next two pregnancies. Erin married her husband, Daren (who has also been doing CrossFit since 2012), in 2007 and they have three children, Ethan, Liam, and Lillie Beth. In 2023, Erin earned her Level 1 CrossFit certification and enjoys helping new members find their place in class. Her favorite CrossFit movements are dumbbell snatches and whatever movement she just finished.
Coach Ashley Clayton
Ashley joined the CrossFit community in 2017 and the chalk monster was born. Seriously, she has to vacuum her area after every workout! Ashley graduated from Campbell University with a degree in Elementary Education in 2010 and married her husband Scott in 2016. As a Mother to a pre-teen, Ashley was inspired to get her CrossFit Kids Certification and is excited to lead a CrossFit Kids program at Stillhouse starting in 2022. She is excited to help your children fall in love with fitness and unlock strengths and talents that they didn’t know existed!