When did you join EDCF?  How did you find the gym?  What was your first impression or how did that first workout go?

In July I quit smoking and started to focus on improving my health with a better diet and light jogging.  I knew I wouldn’t stick with running for long, so I told myself that once I hit 200lbs and a ran a mile without stopping that I would try CrossFit. After an extensive search that included going to crossfit.com and searching the affiliate map for the closest location, I found EDCF.  I feel very fortunate to live so close to the best CF gym in Dallas! Saturday August 30th I sat in my truck, facing the gas station, watching the 10am class in my rearview mirror. All the while thinking, “what the hell have I gotten myself into?  I can’t do this!”  I finally dragged myself inside and Ryan gave me a workout that was incredibly difficult, but I could finish. I had a real sense of accomplishment when I finished. The first “real” workout was a lot for my first time out (Row 400m, 8 Wall Balls, 8 Ring Rows (I think scaled from CTB), 8 Box Jumps, 8 Burpees, R3-4M), but I was proud that I was able to complete 3 sets!

What class time do you attend the most, are there any regular members you work out with at that time?

I usually attend the 6:30PM class on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. I have accomplished so much more than I ever thought possible with the support and encouragement of Jon, Jill, Bryan, Kristen, Casey, Amber and the entire evening crew at EDCF.

Tell us a little about yourself, What is your life like outside the gym? Where do you work, do you have kids/pets/husband/bf/partner? What is your favorite hobby outside the gym?

It sometimes seems like I spend all of my time away from the gym either working, eating or sleeping, but I try to make time for my fiance Annie, our two wonder dogs Alice and Milo and our cat Sam.  I work in the IT department for the law firm Carrington Coleman.  (If you’re ever at Bank of America Plaza (the green building) come see me on the 56th floor!)  Prior to joining EDCF my hobbies were pretty much eating, smoking and watching TV, so working out is kind of my new hobby.  But I still enjoy camping, hunting, fishing and immersing myself in all things technology.

What do you like about CrossFit or EDCF that keeps you coming back?

Without a doubt the thing that keeps me coming back is the people. Over the last 5 months, the coaches and members at EDCF have supported me and pushed me to do more than I ever thought possible. Every time I think I’ve hit the wall someone has been there to tell me I can go faster on the next round, show me how to improve my form so that I can lift more, or push me to finish when my head is saying stop!

What is you favorite lift or exercise or type of workout? What is one of your short term and long term goals?

My favorite lift is definitely any type of squat, but especially the back squat. I’m still in the stage where I’m gaining a lot of strength, so over the next couple of months I would like to hit 300 with my back squat.  Longer term I’m focused on better cardio and getting as ripped as I can at my age!