Age: 31
Tell us a little about yourself:
My wife, Amy, and I just celebrated our ten year anniversary. Our son, Eli, just graduated from Pre-K. I love God. I am a member of Sardis Baptist Church in Gardendale/Morris. I work for a youth development nonprofit in Birmingham, YouthServe.
What made you start CrossFit Gardendale?I was ready to try something new after 14 years of competive running. I had watched some videos of obstacle course racing, ninja courses, and CrossFit Games. I started doing some home workouts similar to the WODs I was reading about. Maybe a month or two later, Emily Mars told Amy about an opportunity CFG had where you could win two months of membership. I decided to put my name in and I won! I started in December 2016.
Describe your first workout?In my first two workouts I either hit my nose or my mouth with the barbell and thought, “what am I doing” lol. I quickly learned to get my head out of the way. Most memorable, doing Murph for the first time.
What goals have you accomplished so far?I like to look at movements and start trying to do them and just keep working on them. Continuing to get stronger has been my only goal. Things like muscle ups and handstand push ups have come from coach’s believing I could do them and me not wanting to give up once I started to try them.
What goals do you plan to accomplish?Ring muscle up WOD unbroken. 100 DUBs unbroken. Squat snatch 200#.
What advice would you give to any new members?You can do more than you think. There will be somethings that make you nervous and somethings that will scare you to try but trying those things will quickly put the fears to death and you will turn towards excitement over knowing that you might not accomplish your goal today but the fear of failure is no longer in you and only a focus on getting better will remain. The salty makes the sweet so good.
