Age: 53
Occupation: Data specialist for Nooksack Indian Tribe
Which class do you usually attend? Usually 6:30 PM once in a while noon or 5:30
How long have you been CrossFitting? Since January 2016. This was our 3rd open this year.
How did you find CrossFit i1uvit? We were taking a boot camp class that Chris Pash was teaching for the Nooksack Tribe and he told us about the free Saturday morning class we attended a few of them. Then my wife bought me my first month for Christmas. After our first month we were hooked.
What is your athletic/fitness background: In high school I ran track and cross country. I coached and played on our softball team in a recreational league, and canoe raced for many years.
Favorite WOD: I don’t really have a favorite, but I like WOD’s that have pull-ups, or cleans.
Favorite lift or movement: pull-ups, power cleans
Least favorite WOD: Any WOD that has rowing or assault bike.
Least favorite lift or movement: Rowing, assault bike, wall balls
Favorite quote: “Don’t live life in the past you can’t change what happen in the past, but you can make a better tomorrow.”
Favorite “guilty pleasure food”: Five Guys burgers (bacon cheeseburger with jalapenos) or anything with bacon.
How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, and/or level of fitness? Before CrossFit or even before boot camp I had some serious health problems. I got a rare nerve disease (guillain barre syndrome) from a side effect from the flu shot. It not only affected my nerves but also my lungs. My lung function is only 70%. Ever since I started CrossFit my overall health is a lot better. I was able to stop a lot of the medicines I was on for the various health problems. When I started boot camp my lungs couldn’t handle the intense cardio so I quit the class. Chris Pash asked me to come back and he would scale down the workouts. I went back and it wasn’t long and I keeping up with the rest of the class. I can now handle most of the CrossFit workouts. I feel more fit now then I have in 20 years
Who or what motivates/inspires you to keep coming back? My wife Sandra, and son Sindick. Working out together as a family we get to watch each other get stronger, and healthier every day. We have progressed so much that we are eager to come to class every day.
What is your proudest CrossFit achievement? Getting my first bar muscle up. I tried and tried but just couldn’t get over the bar. Then one day I tried after class and was so close my niece Rikkole said Uncle take your shoes off and try again. So I took off my shoes and did two muscle ups in a row.
Name one goal you are working for and would like to achieve through CrossFit: Double-unders are something that I want to be able to do consistently.
Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit: Riding my Harley during the warm summer days. My wife and I like to take 2-3 day trips on the bike whenever we get the chance. Canoe paddling was a big part of our lives we are hoping to get back on the water this year. Before my sickness I used to build our canoes and paddles. I also like to shoot and reload my own ammo.
Any advice for new members? Don’t be afraid of CrossFit. Before I started I told myself that I wouldn’t be able to do CrossFit because of my illness but I proved myself wrong. Start slow and scale workouts down if you need. Be patient don’t be in hurry to start lifting heavy. Learn good form, and listen to the coaches they really know what they are taking about and know how to teach you good form and technique.
Any additional thoughts/shout-outs/comments: Special shout-out to Chris Pash. If it wasn’t for Chris I wouldn’t be at i1uvit. He got my lungs in shape to handle his boot camp class. When I told him I wanted to try CrossFit but didn’t think I could handle it he said “yes you can handle it”. Shout-out to my wife Sandra and son Sindick for giving me my first month as a Christmas present. Thank Matt and Kaylee and all the coaches for the excellent job they do at the gym.