At Wy'east Wolfpack, we believe that fitness and adventure can play a critical role in every person's exploration of self. Where does happiness and sense of fulfillment come from? What stories do we tell ourselves that may or may not be true and can keep us from getting what we need? It's this approach that makes each of our coaches really great at what they do. With a genuine interest in people and how they feel about themselves, they work to define, strategize, and attain those goals that often feel out of reach.
Yassine’s love and appreciation for the outdoors was instilled at a young age. While growing up, Yassine’s mother would disconnect the cable TV in the summer months and take the family and friends on camping adventures. In his early twenties the unquenchable thirst for exploration propelled Yassine to Colorado and then to the Finger Lakes Region of New York state where he met his wife and was transformed into a trail ultra-marathon runner. Since 2008 Yassine has made his presence felt in the competitive ultra-running scene but has realized there is much more than trying to clock the fastest times. He still loves the camaraderie and laid-back enjoyment of experiencing nature with friends and sharing stories around camp, like he did with family and friends early in his life.
He resides close to the trails in Portland, OR with his wife Erica and daughter Farah.
Yassine holds a Bachelors of Science in Health Studies: Physical Activity/Exercise from Portland State University. He is a Wilderness First Responder and is certified in Adult/Child CPR, AED & Airway Management.
Mike Grant is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Drug & Alcohol Counselor and therapist currently working in Kaiser Permanente’s Addiction Medicine department. Additionally he is a UESCA Certified Ultrarunning Coach and founder of “Aid Station: Performance Therapy and Coaching” which utilizes EMDR Therapy to help athletes of all levels meet their performance goals. Mike has personally experienced the transformative power of running and understands how the skills and determination needed to achieve running goals can be applied to other areas of life.
As a runner and ultra-runner he has completed the Oregon Cascade 100-mile and Wy’east Wonder 50-mile races, seven marathons and countless shorter distance races.
Mike received a Masters and Bachelors degree in Social Work through Portland State University and is a veteran of the United States Army. He’s also a published author of “(Re)Making A Sandwich” and enjoys mountain sports with his son Deacon.
Alex Borsuk is a sports nutritionist, UESCA Certified Ultrarunning Coach, mountain endurance athlete for Dynafit, and contributor for Trail Runner Magazine. She received a Bachelors of Science in Nutrition from Ohio University, and a Masters of Science in Clinical Nutrition from The Ohio State University.
Alex has always had a deep passion for the outdoors, but after moving to the Pacific Northwest in 2013, she has dove headfirst into all the outdoors has to offer. She is a competitive trail and ultra runner, racing locally and all around the world. When she isn’t running on the trails, you can find her climbing local volcanoes, ski mountaineering, biking up mountains, going on fast packing trips, or rock climbing in the alpine.
She is a strong believer that the best training is the kind that brings you the most joy, and is enthusiastic about sharing her passions with others. She resides in Portland, OR with her husband and life-long adventure buddy Matt, and their border collie Otto.
