Dale Frankum II ~ Owner

First and foremost, I am a follower of Jesus, a husband to my beautiful wife, Nikkie, and a father to our three wonderful children.

I have always enjoyed sports and staying physically active. However, in my mid-20s, life began to take shape in ways that forced me to confront an uncomfortable truth: I was unhealthy. Rather than attempting a complete overhaul overnight, I chose to focus on one small change. That single healthy habit led to another, and over time, consistency compounded. Six years later, I was down 50 pounds, and more importantly, living a life that felt stronger, healthier, and more fulfilling.

Helping others has always been part of who I am. As a teenager, my friends jokingly referred to me as a "life coach." At the time, it frustrated me, I simply wanted the people around me to see the potential I knew they had. Looking back, that nickname was more prophetic than I realized. I have always been passionate about helping others discover strengths and capabilities they didn't know they possessed.

Today, that passion has become my purpose. Helping people grow, improve their physical and mental health, and become the best version of themselves is no longer just an idea, it's a reality.

That is why Vital exists.

~

CrossFit Level 1-2 Trainer

Owner Vital Functional Fitness

Caroline Brinkmeyer ~ Coach

I began my fitness journey in 2018 when Vital first opened its doors; and needless to say, I haven't looked back. I started this new and exciting endeavor with very little knowledge on functional fitness or exercise in general. I have learned so much through my mentorship with Dale and CrossFit's courses. Along with making better food choices and training consistently at Vital, I have maintained an almost 60lb weight loss. I am passionate about encouraging and helping others achieve their own goals. I feel I am relatable to new members because I was once in your shoes walking into a class for the first time. Hesitant, nervous, doubtful and even a little scared of failure. My favorite part of being a coach is members, especially other women, finding a confidence through exercise. I LOVE seeing women feel empowered and strong and it transferring to their everyday lives. Vital has helped mold me into the person I am, and who I am proud of. You can find me working out in the 4:30am class or coaching the 8:30am class. In addition to being a coach at Vital; I am a wife, boy mom, & business owner.  

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

Richard Smith JR ~ Head Coach

Rich Smith is a husband to his beautiful wife Betty and father to their four children. Growing up he enjoyed playing sports and being active. As an adult, he used his fitness to pursue Obstacle Course Racing and push his physical limits. In 2013 he found CrossFit and used this style of training to help prepare him for races. Soon after starting CrossFit he took his CF Level 1 Certification and became a coach and has enjoyed working to help others achieve their goals. He has previously been a coach at CrossFit Vicksburg in Mississippi and CrossFit WMD in Angleton, TX. When Vital opened in 2018 Rich coached part-time and enjoyed being a part of the growing community. In 2022 Rich took the opportunity to pursue coaching full-time at Vital Functional Fitness. This allows him to get to know each new member as they go through Vitals Foundations classes. In March of 2024 he received his CrossFit Level Two Trainer Certification. Rich strives to live a healthy and active lifestyle in hopes that his actions will encourage and motivate others to stay consistent in achieving their goals. CrossFit Level 1-2 Trainer

Fabian Salinas ~ Coach

My desire to become a coach grew naturally out of my own journey with fitness. I joined Vital in November of 2020, but my relationship with training started years earlier. I played sports in high school, and after graduating I remained highly self-motivated to stay fit. However, I had very little knowledge of proper training, nutrition, recovery, or long-term programming. Because of that, I spent years cycling in and out of the gym, pushing hard, burning out, and starting over.

Looking back, my "click" moment came when I realized that I genuinely enjoy exercising and, even more, helping others achieve their fitness goals. Since joining Vital, I've stayed consistent for the first time in my life. Through CrossFit and its methodology, I've seen what's possible when training is done with intention, structure, and sustainability. The results weren't just physical, they showed me how powerful consistency, accountability, and quality coaching can be over time.

Vital gave me more than workouts. It gave me a strong sense of community, accountability, and exposure to effective coaching cues and leadership. Being able to help lead and coach classes showed me that coaching isn't just about pushing people physically, it's about meeting them where they are, teaching them how to move well, and helping them build confidence in what their bodies can do.

As a coach, I'm passionate about helping the next generation, busy adults who feel like they don't have time, and parents who want to stay strong and healthy for their families. I'm drawn to a coaching style that is technical and motivational, with the ability to push athletes when it's appropriate, encouraging them to work hard.

My long-term goal is to continue learning and expanding my knowledge of the CrossFit methodology and to give the Vital community the tools, confidence, and support they need to achieve their goals. I want to be the kind of coach who helps people avoid burnout, build sustainable habits, and realize that fitness can be a lifelong pursuit, not just a short-term phase.