I began personal training in 2002 after getting out of the Marine Corps. I went into Powerlifting which I really enjoyed. It had more of a community atmosphere, which was something unique compared to a regular gym. I loved the feel fellow lifters supporting a common goal of putting up heavy things. I continued to get stronger and stronger, and I thought I was in the best shape of my life because I was the strongest I have ever been.
But reality really hit coming back from a vacation in 2006. There’s nothing like vacation pictures that make you realize, “Holy Sh%#, I’m fat!!!” I actually saw that ‘the strongest in my life was definitely not the same as ‘the best shape of my life.’ I hate throw out the corny jokes, but I was in ‘shape’ alright… a round shape. I began to do more ‘cardio’ and continued for about 2 months before the boredom killed me, so I went back to powerlifting.
Fortunately, in 2007, I found CrossFit. There are so many reasons CrossFit really grabbed my attention. It’s probably the most supportive community I have ever worked with. And it’s so much fun; there’s never a boring day. Don’t get me wrong, though… it is hard work, and it especially punishes the specialist. For me, I ‘specialized’ my body to lift heavy things, so it was the metabolic conditioning that killed me. I stayed with it, and CrossFit has brought me to truly be in ‘the best shape of my life,’ even better than when I was in the Marine Corps.
CrossFit changed how I looked at training individuals and fitness in general. It changed my view so much I couldn’t even think of training at a ‘globo-gym’ knowing that CrossFit was out there. I have gotten results with members in 2 months which would have taken me a year to do with the typical personal training. I can go on and on about CrossFit forever… but I’ll cut it off here and say, “Just do it.” I truly believe that it is for everyone. It will change your life and get you in ‘the best shape of your life.’