Thank you for your time and for accepting to be our “Member of the Month.” Before we get into your story, let’s start with a brief introduction… (Age, town, family/kids, occupation, etc.)
I’m 38 and live in Cohasset. My wife Leah and I grew up together in New Milford, CT. We have a 3-year-old son, Nathan, who’s developing a pretty sweet lefty golf swing. I’m a Coast Guard veteran, and we ended up in the Boston area because I enrolled in grad school at Northeastern when I separated from Active Duty in Miami. I work for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and I just completed my second Master’s degree in Homeland Security last year.
When and how did you get started with us?
I joined on my birthday in March of this year. I credit Pat Reardon 100% for getting me in the door. I’ve always been active; I did the fitness programming for my Coast Guard unit and played football in college, but that was a long time ago now. I got in a fitness rut and 38 really crept up on me. I knew on day one with Coach SOS that CrossFit was for me and it was what I had been missing.
Favorite workout?
I definitely think I have yet to discover my favorite WOD. But to date, probably Fight Gone Bad. Credit to Coach Jeff – he had a good playlist going and ramped up the motivation for that one.
Least favorite workout?
Anything with overhead squats. I joined SciCoh with rusty knees from years of baseball catching and terrible mobility, but it’s coming along – I’m improving. Whenever I can, I watch Mark, Brian, the Coaches, and other vets to try and emulate their form. I know it probably hasn’t always been easy for them, and it motivates me to keep working at it.
What’s the best part about working out with your class?
Because my work schedule has been all over the place, my CF classes have been, too. I always prefer the 0615, but every class has its own unique identity and benefits. The best part of any class to me is the Coaching. I went years without anyone holding me accountable for doing the movements properly. The ability of the Coaches to mobilize and prepare me for a workout and help me improve day-to-day is not something I take for granted.
What’s the wallpaper on your phone right now?
My son’s picture – ring bearer at my sister’s wedding in August.
What’s your favorite “cheat” meal?
Linguini and clams – my two favorite foods, seafood and Italian. It’s not cheating if you’re carb-loading.
What’s the last thing you searched for on Google?
The Washington D.C. Metro map, which should probably be my wallpaper at this point.
If you could be any animal in the world, what animal would you be and why?
Chupacabra. Google it. Half predator, half intrigue.
What is one way CrossFit has positively impacted your regular/daily life?
It eliminated the guilt I used to have from not getting the most out of my globo gym workouts. I’d barely break a sweat and leave the gym feeling like I was no better for it. It’s tough to recreate the level of intensity of a CrossFit workout on your own.
What advice would you give to a new member at CrossFit SciCoh?
I’ll borrow from Pat Reardon on this one, only compete against yourself in the early going. Don’t focus too much on what everyone else is doing, just get the movements down and live to lift another day. It’s okay to listen to your body and rest.
If you could sum up CrossFit SciCoh in one word, what would it be?
Addicting.
