What made you choose CrossFit True?
After getting my personal training certification I was interviewing with some big box gyms, but they seemed more interested in selling protein powder than actually improving people’s health and strength. Then I found CrossFit True’s coaching internship program and realized from the first class that this was a place that valued its community, cared about big and small goals, and brought both intensity and fun to the workouts.
How long have you been training with us?
Just over a year
What has been your proudest moment in the past 90 days?
Hitting a new deadlift PR at 290# (when it was a movement I was uncomfortable doing by myself a year ago) and a floor press PR at #153 (after feeling stuck at 35# DBs prior to this cycle)
When you’re not at the gym, what do you do for work? What do you do for fun?
Obviously you’ll find me coaching some classes, but I am also working as an adjunct professor of chemistry labs, this fall I’ll be starting with Quinnipiac. For fun, I’ll do yoga on my “rest” days, I’m a big gamer (video game, board game, MtG, DnD), trying to get outdoors while it’s nice out, and reading some doorstopper fantasy or sci-fi.
How is your nutrition? How has it changed since joining CrossFit True?
Nutrition has been good overall, with a family history of heart disease I try to stick towards a Mediterranean style diet (fresh fruits and veggies, lean proteins etc), but still have some pizza and desserts in moderation. The biggest change is supplementing with protein, creatine, and electrolytes to aid recovery, especially in the heat of the summer.
What are your 3 favorite movements/exercises?
Rope climbs (even if my elbows need a recovery week lol), split jerks, box jump overs
What is your favorite style workout? (AMRAP, EMOM, Rounds for Time, etc)
Probably an AMRAP, keeps everyone moving, but allows individual pacing
What about your favorite workout?
I like a workout that hits the full body plus a run mixed in for cardio endurance
Any favorite workout songs?
My current playlist is over 100 hours so here’s a string of artists you might find on my shuffle: Dua Lipa > The Doors > Donna Summer > Red Hot Chili Peppers > The Cast of Grease
Have you changed physically or mentally since you’ve been working out with us?
For sure, physically both toned and bulked thanks to progressive overload across the programming cycles (feeling more fit than my indoor climbing days), mentally I feel more energized, getting better sleep, and more confident in pushing my limits on the weights.
What are your current goals?
Keep reaching for those new PRs across the movements. I have been analyzing my Olympic lifts a bit more to get the technique down. I also need some drills for kipping pull ups, it’s the dynamic movement into the arch at the bottom that makes me fear for my shoulders.
How have your goals changed since you joined?
At first I was just trying to learn the movements, now I am trying to make technical improvements that will also help as a coach, understanding where I might be off so I can assist others.
What has been the biggest surprise since joining CF True?
Definitely completing the Murph, it seems scary on paper, but with the right consistency I was able to push myself and know my pacing.
What can you do now that you couldn’t do before joining?
Lots of dynamic movements I wasn’t able to try in a big box gym, even simple strict press I was keeping dumbbells very light. My endurance across the various workouts has also improved and I know (usually) the right scaling for the day.
Say something else, Anything!
Thank you Team True for getting me into CrossFit, embracing your own fitness, and trusting that my classes are working for you (despite the occasional weird movement in the warm ups).
