Meet Your Coaches

Our Youth Team Motto:

We choose to practice with intentionality and full engagement.

Coach Shelbie

With a deep passion for movement, mindset, and the outdoors, I strive to bring a holistic approach to coaching that goes beyond being on the wall. Having spent years immersed in the intersection of physical challenge and personal growth while competing in olympic weightlifting long before I found climbing, I have come to believe that climbing is more than a sport—it’s a journey to radical self-discovery.

From technical skills on the wall to the mental resilience needed to push limits, I am dedicated to helping athletes develop both strength and confidence. My coaching philosophy centers around cultivating a strong mindset, refining movement efficiency, and fostering a love for the process. Whether it’s training for competition or learning fundamentals skills, I hope to foster an environment where athletes can challenge themselves, support each other, and grow as athletes and individuals.

When not coaching, you’ll likely find me pushing my own limits on a project, in a hot yoga class, or sipping on an iced latte while dreaming about my next adventure. I am excited to bring my experience and enthusiasm to Gecko and help each athlete discover their potential!

Coach Tatum

Hey everyone, my name is Tatum. I have been climbing since late 2021 but it quickly became an obsession. 

I enjoy getting to coach our recreational, advanced and competitive teams. It’s so fun watching each kid become a better climber and reach some of their goals.  I hope to provide an encouraging and supportive environment for each climber to have fun and be challenged. 

Outside of climbing some of the other things you will find me doing are spending time with family & friends, road-trips, hiking, and pretty much anything that gets me outside and in nature.

Coach Leila

Hi, my name is Leila! I started climbing at Gecko October of 2021. My dad got me into climbing, teaching me what I know. I started working summer camps at Gecko and then started coaching the little ones. I enjoy an outdoor lifestyle. I plan on traveling in a van sometime in the future! I enjoy outdoor activities such as climbing, canyoneering, scuba diving, snowboarding, riding dirt bikes and more. I still have a long way to go in life and this is just the beginning!

Coach Joe

Hailing from the plains of Iowa, dreams of westward adventures drew me to Colorado in 2018 where I discovered my love for climbing. I then started my journey as a routesetter for local climbing gyms as well as crag developer in Colorado including Piedra Canyon near Pagosa Springs and Castlewood Canyon near Denver.

My wife and I were looking for a new adventure in 2024 and Arizona was calling, so after checking out Tucson we made our way to Phoenix, stumbled upon Gecko, and fell in love with the gym and the community.

In my free time, I can be found going for trail runs or hikes with my wife and dogs Pepper and Eldo, recording folk music, reading, or grilling something delicious! Some of my favorite climbs include Original Route, Price for Fire, Cryogenics, and Time Wave Zero.

Coach Griffin

Hi, my name is Griffin. I love life and climbing is one of the most important things in my life. I started rock climbing in 2020 when I discovered Gecko Climbing Gym for the first time. This place significantly helped build my amazing relationship with maneuvering. I spend most of my time out in nature making art, experiencing life and reading books. The world is a jungle gym of beauty. I’m very grateful to be a part of the gecko climbing coaching community. I love coaching, sharing my knowledge and helping to build youth climbing skills. And every day is gonna be a great day:) 

Coach Bri

Hello gecko fam, my name is Bri! I moved to Arizona in September 2023. One of my dreams was learning about rock climbing. I found gecko in October teaching yoga classes. I quickly fell in love with the art form of climbing and how well it compliments a yoga practice. I now coach our homeschool teams and lead yoga classes here at gecko! I love our community, getting to climb outside, watercoloring, and sunshine time! Grateful for this space and all the people within it :) 

Coach Josiah

Hey everyone, I first started climbing back in middle school but I picked it back up in May of 2023. Since then I’ve been wildly addicted to bettering myself and pushing myself to new limits when climbing. My favorite thing about climbing is figuring out how to do climbs and break beta as well as expand my skills in both bouldering and lead climbing. Outside of climbing you’ll find me spending a lot of time with friends whether that’s playing video games and board games, or just watching sports or a movie. I love the community that I’ve been welcomed into at the climbing gym and I love having the opportunity to invite young athletes into the wonderful world that is climbing.

Coach Sydney

I have been climbing since the moment I could stand. That may sound like an over exaggeration, but there are pictures to prove it. Ever since I started climbing, I fell in love with it. I was going with my mom and my dad when we did go. The reason I love climbing isn't just because it's fun, but climbing is good for my body. It helps me with mobility and strength while still being super fun and an awesome activity. I love it so much, too. When I am not climbing, I read and dance all year round. Only during the summer do I swim. Whenever I'm not at our gym, I'm dancing in my classes and kitchen, performing someplace, or just devouring my newest books.

Coach Vince

I got into climbing because I was looking for something new to learn and a different style of exercise. I greatly enjoy overhang, crack climbing, sport, and trad. I started out teaching “krav maga” (“contact combat” in Hebrew) and those teaching skills transitioned into coaching climbing. Outside of climbing, I’m a bush pilot and competitive shooter. Everything I do is also shared adventures with family and friends.

Coach Noah

Bio COMING SOON!

Coach Audrey

Hi Gecko Family! My name is Audrey! I first discovered climbing in 2019, and when Gecko opened in 2021 I started climbing more seriously! I enjoy the mental and physical strength that climbing takes as well as the fact that it is a lifelong sport! Outside of climbing, I am currently in nursing school, hoping to work in a critical care setting. I love to travel and meet new people around the world when I'm not in school and love to do anything in the outdoors.

Coach Ian

I got into rock climbing to better my body and my mind and to give myself a challenge in my day to day life. I really enjoy climbing because of the community around me and the positive motivation I receive. When I'm not climbing, I love to cook, bake, hike, travel and volunteer in my community. I also love tattoos and the stories they tell!

Coach Alena

Coach Kaden

Hey everyone, my name is Kaden! I love climbing and it has been a big passion of mine for around 3 years now! Climbing is unique because it is a sport that can be challenging for anyone at any skill level. I love coaching and seeing people improve their abilities over time! I believe that climbing is a skill that correlates to all areas of life with coordination, physical strength, and mental motivation. Other than climbing I love anything outdoors. Some of my hobbies include: canyoneering, backpacking, pickleball, ultimate frisbee, and soccer!

Coach Esmy

Hey! My name is Esmy and I’m a Coach for the Green Geckos! I work with the little kids and I just love my time with them. We definitely have a blast! I first started working camps and loved it! I enjoy teaching the kids and the fun that comes with it.

 
 

Our Youth Coaches and Instructors receive background checks through S2Verify.