I have lost a total of 50 pounds since I started doing CrossFit, however that is really just a bi-product of what really matters about CrossFit, and that's becoming a better person."
Not too long ago I was the heaviest I had ever been in my life. I looked in the mirror and was not happy with the person staring back at me. My whole life I had competed in athletics. I was a three-sport athlete in high school, and went to college on an athletic scholarship to wrestle and play baseball. However, that was years ago. Since those days I had jumped from gym to gym trying to find more motivation. I would go strong for a few months, then the newness of the gym would wear off and I would stop going. Staying motivated was a problem. While I didn’t like gaining weight, going to the gym and pounding on the treadmill for an hour didn’t seem to really keep me motivated. Once the newness of the gym would wear off, I thought joining another gym would motivate me. This of course was not the case.
So back to the start, about a year ago I was at the heaviest I had ever been. A friend of mine kept raving about this CrossFit thing. I had been reluctant to try it. It sounded great, however, I wasn’t sure that’s what I wanted to do. I had driven past CrossFit Viral almost every day. Finally, I decided to contact Viral about a drop in. I went in and was instantly sold. The coach that met me at the front desk turned out to be Nate. He showed me around and I did the WOD (which I would later come to find out meant Workout of the Day). The WOD that day was back squats at 155 and handstand pushups. At this point I couldn’t do handstand pushups so I did hand release pushups. It was AWESOME!
Of course, for the next week I couldn’t sit down or walk right, however, I was hooked!
It wasn’t until later that I found out what great community and great friends I would make at Viral. The coaches, members, kids and generally everyone involved with CrossFit Viral are great people. Shortly after I started at Viral, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. The outpouring of support that was shown from all of these people, who I only knew for a few months, was like nothing I can describe. If you didn’t know any better you would think that I was part of all their families. As I would come to find out, our community is like a family. They would do anything for me and I would do anything for them.
I have also learned how to eat healthy while at Viral. I have always had a good idea of what to eat, however, after a nutrition challenge that was put on by the gym, I didn’t really know what quality food was. During my journey at Viral, I have become a better husband, father, friend and person. I have more energy, and can’t wait to get up in the morning and go to the gym so I can be with my extended family. My kids all go to CrossFit Viral and will continue to go. It is going to become a family affair when my wife can start attending classes at Viral. I have lost a total of 50 pounds since I started doing CrossFit, however, that is really just a bi-product of what really matters about CrossFit, and that’s becoming a better person. I can’t thank everyone at Viral enough for helping me through one of the toughest times in my family, and the support that was provided for my family. I truly consider all of the people at Viral my family members. Thanks for all you have done for us and will continue to do in the future!