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
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
Chief Operating Officer
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
Marketing Director
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.
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
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
Ryan McCardle
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
Daniel Martinez
I'm a long-time gamer with a love of competition. I have been involved in esports from the first time I played Halo: Reach at 12 years old. This gave me my first experience of esports with free-for-all tournaments on MLG: GameBattles. Then, with the release of Destiny and Destiny 2, I joined various teams and played at the highest level of competitive Destiny with Faceit. Most recently, I played as Captain of the GMU Esports VALORANT A Team from Fall 2020 to spring 2021. In addition, I managed all of GMU esports VALORANT from Fall 2021 to Spring 2022. With Game Gym, I am excited to be able to coach the next generation of players.
Games: Valorant, Rocket League, Minecraft
Discord: n0ble#2729
Franklin Douglas
Hey! I'm Coach Franklin aka "Flexecution". As someone who is a traditional sports athlete and has a college degree in game design, working at Game Gym as an esports coach is a perfect fit for me. I enjoy helping my students explore their interests in a way that is fun and effective. I always strive to create a positive and inclusive environment to ensure that everyone feels welcome and knows that they are a part of the team.
Games: Super Smash Bros
Discord: flexecution#9694