How many years have you been a part of the Grassroots family?
I started Crossfit with my on ramp classes at GRCF in June of 2015, so just over a year now. Prior to joining GRCF, I had been swimming on and off, and seriously for about six months before I made the leap to CrossFit.
What made you want to start?
I needed to make a change in my life. I had heard about Crossfit and read a little about the concept. I liked that it was “constantly varied”; the fact that it was never the same thing twice in a row was very appealing. That classes were group-focused, with a dedicated coach to help guide you, made it even more interesting.
How has working out at Grassroots impacted your life outside of the gym?
So. Many. Ways. The obvious is I have lost a lot of excess weight. I know I am physically stronger, have more endurance, better flexibility and mobility. All of this makes my life outside of GRCF better; it also greatly improved my ability to do my job.
Do you check the workout before coming in or do you just show up?
NO! I show up blind!
What encouragement or advice would you give to new people coming in?
As the old NIKE advertising campaign said, “Just Do It”. Give it a little time, scale to what you need, listen the coaches, remember even if you don’t advance or if you go backwards in an exercise you can learn from that; it’s not about being perfect or better than yesterday but doing the best you can today. All things I have to remind myself of all the time at GRCF, and in my daily life.
Do you have a favorite exercise or movement?
Deadlifts. I know my major strength is in my legs, every time I do deadlifts for a max, I improve. With work and time, I think I can get my name on the leader board with my deadlift.
Least favorite?
Burpees, I have really improved my ability to do burpees, but I hate doing them.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
To be like Batman. Not an actual “Super Power,” but to have the mindset and confidence that I could do what ever I wanted. Mind over body!
Do you have a power song? What gets you pumped up?
No specific “power song”. As far as music to pump me up: Rage Against the Machine, Queens Of The Stone Age, AC/DC…
Where are you from?
I am a West Coaster. I was born in L.A., grew up outside Portland, Ore. until I was 10, then the Bay Area: Danville then Berkeley.
What do you do for work?
I am a Journeyman in the Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 104. I mostly do commercial HVAC field installations. Everything from the mechanicals to the duct work to the vents and registers you see in a finished building.
Any fun facts about yourself that your gym-mates don’t know about you?
In the 90’s (yes I am that old), I followed my passion for music and worked in recording studios. I worked on albums by Neil Young, Tom Waites and Third Eye Blind.
If you could describe Grassroots in five words, what would they be?
Community, encouragement, sweat, results, barks
