Meet the last athlete of the month for 2016! Ben has made so much progress in both his absolute strength, gymnastic ability, and aerobic capacity since starting with us over a year and a half ago. You can’t beat hard work and consistency and Ben has been religious about both. You deserve it brother!

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

I joined EDCF in April of 2015. I got my first taste of Crossfit at another local gym in early 2014; then, after a few months of the globo gym life, I got the itch to do CrossFit again. I discovered EDCF online, was impressed by the programming, signed up for the prep course, and never looked back!

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

The class time I attend the most is 6:30 PM with the coolest crew — Mikey P, Dave, Sarah, Eric, Justin, RJ, Griego, just to name a few.

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

I work as a software engineer for a mid-sized consulting company, so I bounce around the metroplex working on projects for different clients. I live with my lovely, former athlete of the month, girlfriend Heather and our cat Wilbur. I love traveling and am also a chess master.

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

The people at EDCF keep me coming back. Everyone is so motivating and willing to offer support. Anytime we get together for a social event it is always a blast.

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

My favorite lift is the deadlift because there is something badass about lifting a ton of weight off the ground. My short term goal is to increase my upper body strength so that I can do 10 strict pull-ups unbroken. My long term goal is to be able to Rx the Open.

We looked back at all of our past Athlete Of The Month posts and we couldn’t believe that Lisette hadn’t been nominated yet. She is one of the keystones of our community and has been for the past three years. She gives us 110% day in and day out and is consistent week after week and year after year. If you’re new to the gym and she’s in your class, chances are she will be the first to welcome you with open arms. Always the endurance athlete, she has been really working on building strength and rounding out her athletic tool bag. We are thankful for the support she’s shown EDCF and we are definitely excited to see where the future lies for Lisette.

Check out what Lisette had to say about her experience at EDCF…

Sarah, who you will find at the gym most days of the week, is a model of consistent training. She loves lifting heavy, plain and simple. As a testament to this, she has been increasing her strength numbers steadily since day one. You can usually find her in the corner squat rack next to the boxes. Keep at it Sarah!

Check out what Sarah had to say about her experience with EDCF:

After Nicole H. completed the Prep Course she came into class day one a mission to get a little bit better every time she stepped foot into the gym. She has goals and she puts in the work. Nicole understands that fitness is a process. She takes everything a coach says to heart and won’t settle until she sees improvement. Oh and she does all this with a smile on her face. Nicole is already a huge part of our community even though she is still somewhat of a newbie. Keep it up Nicole! We are excited to see you tackle future milestones inside and outside the gym!

Check out what Nicole had to say about her experience at EDCF…

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

I was invited to EDCF by coach Drew Slone, who I met through mutual friends. If you’ve met her, she is obviously (and rightly so) pumped about CrossFit. After coming to one of the free Saturday sessions, I signed up for the prep course in May 2016 and was hooked, and sore. My first impressions were that barbells were frightening and the people were awesome and encouraging. I had heard the typical stereotypes that CrossFitters were crazy intense and that I could injure myself, but the thoughtful teaching in the prep course and the attitude of the coaches and members convinced me this was a great fit. Plus, sometimes I’m intense. My “grown-up” life was missing some things that used to be filled by sports, teamwork, and a competitive drive, and CrossFit was the first thing I found that could fill those voids. I immediately became a member.

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

I love coming to class at the end of a work day, so depending on when I can sneak out of the office, I attend at 5:30 or6:30pm. It’s a bit of a crunch to get there sometimes (I’ll sheepishly admit, I often change clothes in the car on the way), but if I am disciplined about things, I can make it. If I’m having a stressful day the WOD is what I look forward to; EDCF tends to be my oasis. It’s hard to narrow down the members I “workout” with because nearly everyone has helped me with something at least once, but Kat, Heather, Amber, and Imelda are some badasses that I regularly try and keep up with.

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

If you have talked with me for more than five minutes, one of the annoying things you probably keep hearing about is my pride in being from the Pacific Northwest. This is because I love the outdoors, both the water and mountains, and miss my family up there. I actually really wish that I could transplant them to Lakewood because I know that my brother would absolutely eat up everything about EDCF, including the throw-back music like 2Pac and Disturbed. In Dallas I’ve traded in my mountains and lakes for pools and sand volleyball, plus meeting new people. My work is about to transition and after taking some time off, I will be helping to restructure failing businesses. I’m a big fan of creating and saving jobs.

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

What keeps me coming back to EDCF? The people and the personal growth. Everything is value added–I’ve become friends with wonderful people and I’m continuously amazed and amused by the new things my body is capable of doing. The other day I did my first pull-up. A PULL-UP! It seemed impossible at first and when I did it, I felt like Wonder Woman. I’m trying to get more consistent with them and tackle double-unders next. That’s what CrossFit has given me–I’ve rediscovered that rewarding feeling that comes with working hard to make the little breakthroughs.

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

My favorite lift is a clean. Hands down. I can’t really explain why, but I think one day I was getting the bar up really quickly, so since then, I’ve had more confidence in it than the other lifts. My favorite workouts target all different body areas and are for time, because there is no better race than against the clock. Box jumps, burpees, and toes to bar are my favorites, mostly because I can do them. I consider anything with double-unders to be a sworn enemy, but then again, maybe in a month they will be my favorite. I have doable short-term goals of being able to do all the movements and improving my lift technique. My long-term goals are WAY more unrealistic and just for fun–like squatting 220 and doing 5 pull-ups with a 45 pound weight because that’s how Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin gets things done:) I’m not yet willing to admit it’s impossible.

Thomas is the first priest to become a member at EDCF and I’ll admit that for a while I was afraid to slip out a swear word in his presence. After grabbing a beer with him after class one day, it took me no time to realize that he was a regular dude looking to be coached up while jump starting his fitness journey. Thomas knows adversity well, after a few months at the gym he sustained an injury to his lower back. Together we realized that he had a strength imbalance in his posterior chain along with extremely tight hamstrings despite being a relatively flexible individual. He stuck with the game plan we made for his recovery and is now training consistently pain free and stronger than he was before. I have tremendous respect for him as an individual as well as an athlete. When others would have simply quit, he took his challenge head on. I salute you Thomas, you’re a shining example of what it means to be a coachable athlete and I can’t wait to see where you are 6 months from now!

Here is what Thomas has to say about his experience at EDCF…

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

June 2015. We’d moved back to Dallas and our first child was a month old, and I figured it was now or never for trying CrossFit. I checked out spots in and around Lakewood online, met with Ryan, and was sold on EDCF. The first workout I felt more clumsy than anything else. It had a strange combination of being tough but also feeling like I might just be able to hang in.

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

Unlike most folks, I’m not a class loyalist. I’m in every day, but the time varies based upon my work schedule.

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

Other than EDCF, my life is mostly work, with family and friends as much as I can make happen. I’m a priest on the team at Church of the Incarnation in Uptown. Elisabeth and I have been married five years this month, our daughter Mary Clare is 14 months old, and we’ve got two Labrador Retrievers, Molly and Paige. Time is pretty tight in this season of life, so most hobbies have gone by the wayside. But there’s usually a book I’m working through at home.

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

I know everyone says community, and the community at EDCF is great. But for me, honestly, it’s the coaching. The last year at EDCF has fundamentally changed how I think about my own fitness, and I’m achieving things I never thought were possible for me.

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

I’m one of those weird people who likes burpees. I really can’t explain why. I need to get better coordinated at kipping in the short term because long term I’m shooting to do any WOD w/ pull-ups without scaling. Pretty stoked to do the Memorial Day Murph 2017 without a band. On the less exciting end of things, I’m spending a lot of time working on hamstring mobility to keep from getting hurt.

Dave has been a big part of our 6:30pm class and is a prime example of respecting the process. He comes in each day with a willingness to work on his weaknesses, improve his strengths, and have a good time doing it along with his fellow classmates. We asked Dave a couple of questions about his experience with CrossFit at EDCF and this is what he had to say….

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

My Saturday intro class was on May 2, 2015. Friends of mine were WAY into crossfit but I was pretty intimidated by the prospect. I had gotten a little bored of my then-current fitness activities: running and rock-climbing. I was strongly encouraged to check out EDCF by Matt Wolfgang, a colleague from work. My first impression was “OhGodOhGodOhGodOhGod”–I wouldn’t say that workout went terribly well. And then the next day, when I felt even worse, I was hooked!

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

I’m a 6:30 PM man, myself, always have been. We have a strong crew–Ruben, Mikey, RJ, Sabrina and Jon, Ben and Heather, Faye, Sarah and Erik, Ryan and Tina, to name a few.

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

My life outside the gym is all about my wife, Sophie, and our menagerie of goofy, expensive, filthy animals. My day job is assisting startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses with their legal needs. In my non-gym, non-animal spare time, I am an enthusiastic supporter of alcohol and video games, both together and separately.

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

What’s not to love about repeatedly moving heavy objects from one place to another place a few feet away? I love the challenge, I love how much there is to learn, and I love that just wrecked feeling you get after a hard workout. But the workouts and the gains wouldn’t be enough to keep me coming back without the coaches and the community. The workouts only measure individual performance–but the mutual respect and admiration that come from shared suffering and experience make us a team. It is nice to be a part of a team.

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

I’m an above average rower and I’m decent at stringing together pull-ups, but I have so much to learn and so much progress to make on all of the Olympic lifts. Also my bear crawl needs work. Other than being able to bench my own body weight, a target I’m approaching, my fitness goals are broad. I’m striving, for as long as possible, to be in better overall physical condition each year than I was the previous year. I’m playing the long game. It isn’t about the #s–it’s about learning the technique, improving my body, and committing to the process. And I’m super psyched to have partners in the EDCF coaches and members to help me get there!

If you have been keeping up with these athlete of the month posts, you’ll notice a trend. All of them are easily coachable, dedicated to the program, come early or stay late to work on their weaknesses, and are positive influences to other members. Ruben falls into this same group on every level. He puts his head down and works hard, asks for and takes advice to heart, and is all in all a joy to be around. Keep at it Rubes!

Here is what Ruben had to say about EDCF…

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

I joined EDCF in March after recently moving back home. My first taste of Crossfit was the free Saturday workout, and I didn’t know what to expect. Being the only person that day, Ryan did an outstanding job of making me feel welcome, and took his time explaining the movements being used that day. That first workout harsh, but fun, and left me wanting more.

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

I workout in the evenings at 6:30. Some of the regulars include Jason, David, Jon, Mike P., RJ, Bryan, Ryan K., Tina, Bryan, and Faye.

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?

I am a full time student at North Lake College which leaves me with very little free time outside of the classroom. In my spare time I like to hang out with my close friends doing any kind of outdoor activity including hiking, rock climbing, and swimming. I have two dogs that make coming home a delight, and they do a great job of keeping occupied.

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

I keep coming back because of the great people that make up EDCF, especially the evening regulars. Everyone is encouraging, and the coaches are fully committed to helping us improve. The programming is very well done, and there is never a doubt as to why we are doing a specific workout. Crossfit is a huge stress reliever, and there is no greater feeling than the one after completing a difficult WOD. Every event that EDCF puts on is truly a fun time, and helps foster a sense of community, and camaraderie; something that had been missing in my life for a while.

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

I enjoy anything with a barbell, especially squats and thrusters. Short term goals include nailing down double-unders, and connecting my pull-ups efficiently. As for the long term, I would like to improve my diet, and actually stick to it. Oh, and never missing another box jump, like ever!   

Heather is the perfect example of a coach’s athlete in that she takes everything you say to heart. She understands that fitness is a process and not a destination and shows it with her willingness to fine tune her movements day in and day out. She is such a great example to our other athletes. We are glad to have you Heather!

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

I joined EDCF in April of this year. My boyfriend, Ben, discovered EDCF simply because he passed the gym on his daily commute. Ben signed up for the prep class first, and as the start date approached, I couldn’t resist jumping on board! I was intrigued about the idea of a prep class. Although I had done Crossfit off and on since 2012, I never felt proficient in my abilities; working out in a new gym seemed intimidating. My first impression of the culture was “WOW!” The strong focus on programming made me feel like I was developing and testing skills — for the first time since high school I felt like an “athlete.” To this day I feel an intrinsic connection with my prep class crew. It is so cool to see how we have all improved and continue to come back for more!

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

With our busy schedules, EDCF is a way for Ben and I to spend quality time and push each other to hit our fitness goals. While getting out of bed at 5AM is a struggle, there is no better way to start your day than a good workout! You beat the morning traffic and the summer heat!

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?

I work in procurement for the North Texas Food Bank. My role is to partner with retailers and manufacturers to receive in-kind food donations or purchase product at the best prices. Last year, we provided access to 63 million meals! Also, I am part-time student at UT Dallas in the MBA program. I am lucky to have the support of my boyfriend Ben and our overweight tabby cat Wilbur (named for our college mascot — THE University of Arizona).

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

My favorite aspect of EDCF is the people! The coaches are truly engaged in the development of the members, and everyone is rooting for you to become your best. I come back because I know after every workout, no matter how grueling, I am a little bit better than before.

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

Clean and jerk. Period. Without a doubt. After the weightlifting seminar, I learned (finally) how to correctly clean the barbell and jerk it overhead. It’s is incredible how proper technique can drastically improve your performance. Taking a “no way” weight to an “OMG I DID IT” weight is one of the best feelings in the world! My short term goal is to do an unassisted pull up. Since I starting at EDCF, I’m gone from multiple bands, to just one — so close! Long term, I want to improve my cardio so I can push myself further during workouts. One day at a time!