Meet Our Team

Dakotah Mankin, Head Coach and Co-Owner

My name is Dakotah Mankin and I am one of the owners and the head coach at CrossFit Wild West. A little about me, I have a beautiful wife, kaitlyn, and THREE amazing kids, Meredith, Miller and Maeve. I love heavy metal, tattoos and great food.

I’ve been doing CrossFit since 2010 and have owned the gym since 2013. I have my CF-L2, CrossFit weightlifting, CrossFit football. My passion is coaching any athlete but if you have a young athlete that needs sport specific training I’d love to help out!

My favorite movement is the power clean or snatch and I love coaching any weightlifting movement! 

One thing I truly believe is that energy is infectious. Every time you step into a room you’re either adding to the energy or draining it and I try every day to have a positive impact on those around me and give the people in my life the best side of me! 

Certifications:

• CF-L2 

• CrossFit weightlifting 

• CrossFit Football

Dalton Mankin, Coach and Co-owner

I have been doing CrossFit since 2011, when I was a Freshman in high school. My brother, Dakotah, wanted me to start training with him in order to gain an edge on the football field. It worked! But then I fell in love with competing and subsequently, coaching. Years and years of doing CrossFit and I haven’t looked back!

Favorite saying: “"You've got to eat the shit sandwich to get the steak"

Certifications:

• CF-L2

• CrossFit Weightlifting Certification

• SCCC, Strength and Conditioning Certified Coach

• USA Weightlifting Level 1 Certified
  

Paula Cator, Coach

I joined CrossFit in April of 2016 for a personal growth challenge and have been in love ever since.  As a runner almost my entire life, with some weight training, I never knew the limitless possibilities until now.  I enjoy being pushed and pushing others.  CrossFit is about life…integrity, pushing your mind and helping others.

Hobbies: Spending time with family,  working out, training others, being an entrepreneur and eating food. :-)

Certifications:

• CF-L1

• USA Weightlifting Certification

Monica McKeever, Coach

CrossFit has been in my life for over a decade! It’s been my constant mental and physical therapy through many life happenings, and I continue to crave it’s results and challenges! I love that my family sees me care about my health. They know being a strong woman is beautiful! 

Favorite movement:OHS and Anything core

Certifications:

• CF-L1

Mike Matsik, Coach

I am married to my beautiful wife / high school sweetheart Lori.  We have 2 beautiful children, who are actually adults now, our son Luke and our daughter Jordan.  And we have recently added a new member to our beautiful family, our Shih Tzu, Scottie Jo!  My FAMILY is my why I do what I do every day!

I am a US Navy veteran and served as a Helicopter Crewman/Rescue Swimmer for 5 years at HS-4 NAS North Island in San Diego, CA.  I have been a Lubbock Police Officer for almost 20 years and currently serve as the Physical training /Defensive Tactics coordinator for the Police Academy.  I was first introduced to CrossFit approximately 14 years ago when I was a member of the Lubbock PD SWAT Team. The workout we did completely destroyed me when I thought I was in “good” shape.  I took a big drink of the “Kool-Aid” that day and haven’t stopped chugging it since.  CrossFit is the only thing I have done where there has never been an easy day.  Each workout is what you make of it.  It does not matter what the person next to you is doing, what the people in other classes have done, it has been and always will be about you and your effort. There is nothing more rewarding than you giving it your 100%. 

I love coaching people.  Whether it is at CrossFit Wild West or training future Police Officers at the Lubbock Police Academy, I take great pride in helping people reach their goals and becoming a better version of themselves.  I am a CrossFit L2-trainer, ACSM certified Personal Trainer, Texas DPS Fitness Institute Honor Graduate, Cooper Fitness Law Enforcement Trainer, and a Federal Law Enforcement Fitness Coordinator.  I have been coaching CrossFit both civilian and for Law enforcement for approximately 9 years now.  I have a lot of fitness / fitness related knowledge and will offer it to any and all who are on their way to being a healthier version of themselves.

My absolute favorite go to movement for anything is the Burpee.  There is just so much hurt that can come from this simple body weight movement and I love it.  My favorite work out is any “Hero” workout.  I love going into that grind honoring / remembering those who have paid that ultimate price serving our Country and our communities.  I will pay tribute to them through my sweat and effort.

Favorite sayings – 

“Hard work pays off.  The question is how hard are YOU willing to work?”

“Nothing worth having is easy.”