Crossfit Allendale

Wrestling, football and baseball from early elementary through high school.
 

What led you to Crossfit and CFA specifically? 

My wife Kari, the close location to our home and an interest in what it provided.  I had watched the CrossFit Games and thought that what the athletes were capable of doing was quite amazing.  I had been interested but didn’t think I was capable of doing it until Kari convinced me to give it a try.

Due to still being in the Michigan Air National Guard (Air Force) and my full time job I spend a lot of time on the road so when I’m home I just enjoy spending time doing anything with my wife Kari and son Trever.

Shortly after we joined CFA I (we) realized how much of a family/team environment it was.  In all the years that I had attended “normal” gyms I would complete my entire workout with earbuds in and never talk to anyone.  I quickly realized at CFA that this was not the environment and immediately began to enjoy it. Working through the WODs and watching everyone suffer/succeed together made it everything that I didn’t know I was looking for. 

I don’t, however we did the introductory class with Josh and Kate.  On the first day Josh had us warmup with jumping rope and a few other things.  It wasn’t until we finished it that I realized this was a warmup and not the workout, yes-I was already dying!  It was then that I doubted myself and wondered if this was the right decision.

Without a doubt my least favorite is Overhead Squats!  When I started at CFA I had trouble even doing a rep using the PVC!  Years of bad workout habits along with never stretching made it pretty much impossible to hold the bar in the correct position.  I always enjoy WOD’s where we are lifting weights.
 

What is your most proud CrossFit moment?  

Without a doubt completing Murph this year.  I had seen the workout prior to joining CFA and truly wondered how anyone would be capable of doing that along with doubting that I would ever be able to finish it. 

Seeing everyone there going through the pain with me always motivates me, I often feel that if I don’t finish I’m letting down the team. 
 

What are your goals going forward and what do you think will help you achieve them?

I just want to continue to get better at overhead squats, handstand push ups and pull ups.  Maybe someday I will be able to do a muscle up!

What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness or just day to day life since starting CrossFit (before/after?)

The most noticeable has been my ability to recover.  When I started and probably through the first 6 months after I left I would be exhausted for the rest of the day and didn’t feel like I could do anything.  I’m able to recover in a short amount of time now and continue with a productive day.

What would you recommend to someone who is just starting out with CrossFit or is too afraid to try it?  

Everyone was new at some point and has went through the same struggles as them.  Be patient with your gains and don’t think that you have to keep up with those that are crushing the WOD.  Be resilient, keep coming back and measure your gains against where you started, not how much or how fast someone else can do it.  
 

If you could have one skill or characteristic of another member at CFA what and from whom would it be? Or which other CFA member are you the most motivated by?

The OFSG (Over Forty Support Group!) of Ted, Brian and Chris always helps to motivate me.

Favorite Cheat Meal: Either pizza or loaded nachos

Favorite workout song: Varies based on the mood I’m in. 

Favorite place you have traveled: I got to spend 3 weeks in Israel and during my time there took a guided tour of the country.  Seeing all the historic sites was pretty amazing.  

Favorite Tv Show: Varies by season, but my son and I enjoy anything Marvel.

Favorite CrossFit Athlete (if any):  Anyone who struggles and continues to show up giving it their all.

First off, both Trever and his wife Kari have been such great additions to CFA since they started with us last fall. Trever was already in pretty good shape before he started but CrossFit opened him up to some new movements and workouts that he has not been exposed to. Since last fall every part of his fitness has improved. He has gotten really good at gymnastics (pull-ups, push-ups and dips), his strength is up and his cardio is impressive for an “old guy”. Trever is always ready to work hard and push through tough workouts and even do movements he hates (like overhead squats…). We are always thankful for hard working and friendly CFA members like Trever, and we look forward to seeing him continue to crush it!