About Us

Since 2018, Game Gym has offered a healthy and holistic approach to video games with structured sessions and certified coaches designed to help kids game better and smarter! We’ve built out a year-round program of engaging esports training programs and camps, a variety of local and online leagues and tournament series, and high-end productions and events.

Our Team

Josh Hafkin

Josh Hafkin

Founder & CEO

Hi, I’m Josh Hafkin and I am the founder and CEO of Game Gym. I wear many hats and spend my days pushing Game Gym to be the best youth esports program in the world. I love helping kids find confidence in themselves and supporting our local esports community.

Evan Shubin

Evan Shubin

Chief Operating Officer

Evan Shubin here, I’m COO of Game Gym. As the parent of two teenage boys (both of whom are Game Gym enthusiasts), I was forced to accept esports at a late age, but now I’ve got religion! I love Josh’s vision for a healthy approach to esports, and I’m excited by the way we’re expanding our programs to help parents and kids make the most out of gaming.

Michele Shubin

Michele Shubin

Vice President of Operations

I’m excited to be part of the Game Gym family! Yes, Evan Shubin is my husband and we have been able to successfully work together for the last 10+ years. We both have supported our two sons playing online games for 7+ years. We encouraged them to achieve a balanced set of activities. Of course, esports was one of them. I’m looking forward to helping parents understand the healthy approach to esports!


Michael Stern

Michael Stern

Marketing Director

Michael Stern is the founder and CEO of HeadStart, a PR and marketing agency for startups. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 2017, and his esports days started with the OG Runescape back in the mid-2000’s.


Katy Crossan

Katy Crossan

Director of Camps & Youth Programming

I’m an educator and mom who strives to take learning beyond the traditional classroom. You can catch me cheering on my husband with his own esports team, cuddling my baby and dog, or eating Chick-fil-A. With a bachelor’s in Child Development and Family Relations to a master’s in Education, I’m ready to connect families to Game Gym with opportunities in esports. From our camps to private trainings sessions, I look forward to supporting Game Gym’s curriculum with a healthy and positive approach on and off the game.


Adina Lowenstein

Adina Lowenstein

Assistant Director of Camps & Youth Programming

I’m a passionate educator who loves helping young people exercise their creativity. I connect with coaches to make sure everyone has a successful learning experience. I’m eager to help out the Game Gym squad with organization and curriculum structure. It’s awesome to witness such incredible enthusiasm for esports and I’m proud to be a part of the team!

Ian Beall

Ian Beall

Social Media Manager

I’m Ian and I run social media for Game Gym! I’m extremely fortunate to be the social voice of the Game Gym because I enjoy engaging with others and building relationships within the esports community on behalf of the Gym. Previously, I’ve been fortunate to compete competitively in Call of Duty on a global level with friends made in person and through online competition. I believe in what we’re doing here for youth gamers in the DMV area, and what we provide to the competitive scene and online gaming at large.

Our Coaches

Games They Play

Coach Phillip “Drew”

Coach Phillip “Drew”

Hiya! My name is Phillip Jones, but I go by Drew. I’m a sophomore at George Mason University Studying Computer Game Design and loving it! I founded the Charity Tournament series “Share Stock” and love to TO Smash Ultimate Tournaments. When I’m not sinking hours into RPGs and studies, I’m training to become a better smash player myself! I’m excited to share what I’ve learned as a competitor to support the Game Gym! 

Games: Smash Bros
Discord: Drewtwo#4101

Coach Preston

Coach Preston

Hi! I'm Coach Preston. I've been gaming since I was six-years-old. My favorite games are League of Legends, Valorant, Battlefield, and Rocket League. I went to College of Charleston where I played on the college League of Legends team for two years. I love positive and hands on coaching to help gamers find the logic behind what works while continuing to have fun.

Games: Valorant, Minecraft, League of Legends, Smash Bros
Discord: Jäger#0088

Coach Ian Daugherty

Coach Ian Daugherty

I'm a sports management student competing in Rocket League for the University of Akron. You can usually find me at your local Buffalo Wild Wings, playing sports with my friends, hanging out with my 2 dogs, or at the gym. I'm considerably young when it comes to teaching kids and families about the world of esports, but I guarantee you won't find anyone better. I'm excited to meet and work with so many amazing and fun kids and I'm ready to help give them the support the deserve inside and outside of video games.

Games: Rocket League
Discord: Yawnathon#8833

Coach Ryan

Coach Ryan

Hello! My name is Ryan, but many people know me by my gamertag Aero. I'm currently pursuing an associates in Computer Science from Howard Community College with plans to transfer to a four-year institution to obtain my bachelors. Rocket League is one of my biggest passions and I have an even bigger passion for teaching a game that means so much to me to students looking to succeed. I've played since 2017 and have been the highest in game rank since 2018. I know the experience of both winning and losing and what kind of mentality you need to win. I'm beyond excited to join the Game Gym family and to help continue all the amazing work they do for youth in esports in the DMV.

Games: Rocket League
Discord: Aero#4209