Q: What brought you to CrossFit in the first place?
A: I had done CrossFit in the past for a few years but had taken about 8 months off due to some shoulder and back injuries. I was doing traditional lifting and strongman work but had stopped doing cardio entirely. My work schedule changed which forced me to find a gym closer to home and leave my old CrossFit gym and family there. I simply needed structure again so I came back to what I knew would work for me. I competed against Devan at a strongman event held at ctrl and I gained a lot of respect for him that day. I did a few drop ins with the wife and knew it was the atmosphere I needed again.
Q: What was your first impression? How has that changed?
A: I had the same nerves starting again as I did when I started and especially in a new gym around new people. Those new people became supportive friends quickly so I slowly became comfortable again.
Q: What was your first “bright spot”?
A: I would say my first workout there and being able to workout beside my wife. Our jobs had never really allowed that to work in the past so after my work hours changed, we both had ended up moving our memberships to ctrl. It was a tough decision at the time but has been more than worth it for both of us.
Q: What’s your favorite CrossFit CTRL memory?”
A: Being able to RX my first double under workout after I started. It sounds silly but I’ve struggled with them for a long time and while I’m still not great at them, it was rewarding to finally do the workout as written.
Q: What do you love most about CrossFit CTRL? What keeps you coming back each month?
A: I love seeing people push themselves past what they thought their limits were. That in turn makes me want to push harder. The leadership, coaching and people around me believing in me makes me want to keep going back as much as I can.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: A lot of people from friends to family to coaches that have always seen something in me that I didn’t know was there.
Q: What is your current occupation? What are some hobbies, clubs, groups or activities you participate in?
A: I am a senior IT support Technician at UHC Hospital. (Basically an IT jack of all trades). Hobbies are restoring vintage cars, wood working, flying RC airplanes, camping…etc. I love to find new things that challenge my mind as I never let myself get bored.
Q: What would you say to someone you love to encourage them to try CrossFit CTRL?
A: Come in, do a class and you will be hooked. It doesn’t matter where you’re at physically or where you want to end up. The coaches will help you modify and the comradery of your friends in there will get you through any workout on the board. Your way more capable than you ever realized.