Athlete of the Month

We have so much love for our community, and want to take the chance to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work – if you haven’t met Jon yet (or even if you have), make sure to give him a hello and high five next time you see him at the gym!

Here is a little about Jon’s journey through CrossFit so far:
I first heard of CrossFit in 2009 when a friend of mine who is ex-Army was telling me how great it was. Foolishly, I balked at the price tag, which I think was around $75 a month then! In 2013, I tried CrossFit at a gym in Macon, Georgia towards the end of law school after tiring of normal gym workouts. Except for bench. Who doesn’t love benching!? The first workout was three rounds for time: 20 pull-ups (banded), 800 meter run, and a 50-foot bear crawl. The only thing I can remember was how crazy it felt running with my arms and neck pumped full of blood after the pull-ups. I’m sure I looked ridiculous. As so many folks say, I was hooked after that first workout!

Q: Where are you originally from?
Savannah, Georgia

Q: What class do you attend?
I had been working out at 6:30 a.m. before joining Terminus. When I started here, I was in the 7:00 a.m. class. However, after taking on a lot more at work, I betrayed those lovely, hard-working, and damned likable 7:00 a.m.-ers and joined the 6:00 a.m. class.

Q: Do you have a favorite workout or movement? Least favorite?
Favorite: “little guy” workouts with body weight movements.
Least favorite: snatches and OHS. My shoulder mobility is on par with that of the Queen of England, or worse, so anything overhead is a disaster for me! Maybe by the time I’m her age, I will have improved.

Q: What’s your favorite hobby, pastime or interest outside of work (other than CrossFit)?
I have a bit of an obsession with bourbon and rye whiskeys and will geek out drinking and talking about that. I also love soccer and religiously watch Manchester United, Atlanta United, and England national team games.

Q: Favorite music to work out to or just listen to in general?
For working out, it’s hard to beat Young Jeezy’s Thug Motivation: 101. But since the thug life did not choose me, sometimes I’m successful when Ben’s coaching in convincing him to play some hair band rock (Ted Nugent’s Stranglehold, anyone?)

Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
Before I got into the legal field, I worked in restaurants–every position from bus boy up to a lowly Chef’s assistant. I can make a mean risotto bianco!

Q: Favorite Atlanta Restaurant?
One of my favorite things about the city is the amount of great restaurants here, in all price ranges and types of cuisine. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but Marcel is the standard bearer for steak.

Q: Favorite moment at CF Terminus?
When I thought about this, nothing immediately came to mind. The culture at Terminus of being positive and supportive makes it a really enjoyable place, and I don’t think I’ve ever been in a bad mood there! That’s probably my favorite thing about the gym. If I have to pick something along the lines of a favorite achievement, this year I PR’d my Murph time by around 12 minutes.

Q: How has CrossFit affected your life (inside/outside of the gym)?
It’s certainly made me a lot fitter overall, and from a day to day aspect, it helps me cope with a fast-paced, often high-stress job. I’m a firm believer in the sound body/sound mind mantra, and Terminus WODs help me crank out a lot more work and just attack the day head-on.

Q: Any advice for someone considering trying CrossFit for the first time?
Consistency is vital. Countless times I haven’t felt like going to the gym, yet after every workout, I’m extremely glad I did. Just showing up is a big part in progressing and “enjoying the struggle.” The best part is looking back after a significant amount of time and effort and realizing you could whoop your old self!

Thank you, Jon, for being such a consistent presence in our community. Your outgoing nature helps the people around you to open up and gives them the opportunity to truly discover what a CrossFit community is all about! You’re the strongest little guy we know and we are grateful for the hard-working attitude you bring to the gym every day.

We have so much love for our community, and want to take the chance to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work – if you haven’t met Laura yet (or even if you have), make sure to give her a hello and high five next time you see her at the gym!
Laura recently broke her foot and is unable to bear weight for a minimum of three weeks. She has taken this injury in stride with so much grace that we wanted to take the opportunity to highlight her! CrossFit is all about training for the unexpected and being able to adapt to any obstacle thrown your way – Laura has 100% exemplified that adaptability and openness to new challenges and we are inspired by her work ethic!

Here is a little about Laura’s journey through CrossFit so far:

Like most CrossFitters, I was looking for something more when I started…. more fitness, more competition, more community, just more. As a former collegiate athlete, I needed these things in my life. I tried everything from P90X to half marathons to globo-gyms to spin classes but nothing was sticking. A little over 5 years ago I walked into CrossFit Garage in Woodstock, GA and began my CrossFit journey.

I remember thinking I was pretty fit when I started. My first workout was an ascending ladder of kettlebell swings and burpees…. and it hurt my feelings BIGTIME. The thought that I was fit lasted for about 60 seconds and from the agonizing defeat of that WOD I was hooked and have never looked back!

I am now able to do things that I NEVER thought possible (pull-ups, hand stand push-ups, toes to bar, the list goes on!). Things didn’t happen overnight and I still want to accomplish so much more, but it is so cool to think back about all of the milestones that have happened with hard work and commitment. More importantly, after 3 gyms and 2 moves I have some lifelong friends that I would have never have met without CrossFit. My family is also really into CrossFit…over the years, my mom & dad (who now have their Level I) along with my brother have drank the Kool-Aid gotten super fit and we are one of those families who do WODs on holidays and vacations.

My husband and I recently moved to Grant Park. Before all of our boxes were unpacked, I was on the search for a new gym to call home and that is when I found CrossFit Terminus. The community and programming here are more than I could have ever asked for and I’m grateful to be a part of this community.

Q: Where are you originally from?
Lenox, GA. It’s a small one red-light town in South Georgia between Tifton and Valdosta.

Q: What class do you attend?
Mostly 5:30 PM with an occasional cameo appearance to a morning class.

Q: Do you have a favorite workout or movement? Least favorite?
Favorite workout = ‘DT’ or anything with a barbell
Least Favorite = ‘JT’ or anything with a lot of gymnastics

Q: What’s your favorite hobby, pastime or interest outside of work (other than CrossFit)?
IPAs

Q: Favorite music to work out to or just listen to in general?
R&B / Hip Hop

Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
Right out of college, I tried out for the US Bobsled team. It did not go well.

Q: Favorite Atlanta Restaurant?
Beetlecat

Q: Favorite moment at CF Terminus?
Getting my first bar muscle up ☺! I was pretty stoked about that.

Q: How has CrossFit affected your life (inside/outside of the gym)?
I love how CrossFit embraces strong and powerful female athletes. I have always been a little self-conscious of my body and by no means is it perfect (remember my favorite hobby = IPAs), but I’m super proud of what it can do and the strength that I have built. Having a positive body image is one of the greatest gifts CrossFit has given me and it affects my life inside and outside of the gym.

Q: Any advice for someone considering trying CrossFit for the first time?
Show up and just keep showing up! The community is AMAZING. But just like anything in life…things worth having are worth waiting for. It takes time (at least for me) to get comfortable, have a basic understanding of all the movements, and get to know people. Trust me, just keep showing up and putting in the hard work, and you will have both fitness progress and a welcoming group of rad like-minded people.

Laura – we are so glad that you’ve joined our community! We love that you bring a go-getter attitude to life (and the gym) each and every day and your energy is inspiring and contagious.

We have so much love for our community, and want to take the chance to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work – if you haven’t met Darius yet (or even if you have), make sure to give him a hello and high five next time you see him at the gym!

Here is a little about Darius’ journey through CrossFit so far:

Fact. In January of 2013, my weight was 265lbs and I was wearing a size 42 in pants. I went to the doctor for a routine check and my PCP “tried to” diagnosis me with hypertension. I refused that diagnosis. My PCP basically threatened me with losing weight or else he was putting me on meds. He gave 3 months to lose weight and get my blood pressure in check. I worked out on my own and returned to the doctor only to find out that I had lost 7lbs. BP was still abnormally high. He tried to put me on blood pressure medication again. After asking for another shot, he gave me 2 months. I came home began playing with my one year old son to make me feel better. He was just learning how to run at the time. After about literally 10 minutes of play time, I was done. I mean exhausted. When I said let’s go in the house, he cried because he still wanted to play but I just didn’t have the energy to keep up with him. At that moment, my son’s cry changed my life. I felt so bad. I had to get in shape. My wife suggested CrossFit because that is what she did for years before we met. At the time, CF West Cobb had just opened and so I tried it. One workout and I was hooked. The weight literally started melting off. Two months later I was about 230lbs, my doctor stated that my BP is not where he wanted but he saw that I was trying. Fast forwarding a bit, we moved which forced us to switch boxes. Once we met Emily and the coaching staff, I was like let’s get it Coach. You ever heard the saying be careful what you ask for? It was like everyone here knew exactly what I needed. I mean from the WODs, to peer support, and even the coaches checking on you when you don’t show for a few days. I have to admit I have never run, rowed, AB, run, run, and did I mentioned run so much in my life. However, when I went back to the doctor for a check up my BP was perfect 118/68. Now that my son is 5 years old, when he wants to play I have more than enough energy to keep up with him. When people ask me why I CrossFit, I tell them because I want to be around for my family.

Q: Where are you originally from?
Milledgeville, Ga.

Q: What class do you attend?
6a but recently switched to 5am

Q: Do you have a favorite workout or movement? Least favorite?
Favorite movement is tie between WB and Rowing
Least favorite Burpees

Q: What’s your favorite hobby, pastime or interest outside of work (other than CrossFit)?
Riding my Harley and coming soon running 5Ks

Q: Favorite music to work out to or just listen to in general?
Lil Jon “What U Gon’ Do” it’s my coffee in the morning LOL

Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
I love to Fish & Grill

Q: Favorite Atlanta Restaurant?
Bricktops long story behind it

Q: Favorite moment at CF Terminus?
The day I was complaining about having to run in a WOD to my partner and didn’t know he was a Coach at Terminus. Priceless Thanks Chase

Q: How has CrossFit affected your life (inside/outside of the gym)?
I feel like CrossFit gave me that swag like I got this no matter what I’m doing in life. You have to consider that CrossFit helped drop me from a size 42 down to a 32. I got my blood pressure in check and lost over 50lbs in the process. As a result, I am more energetic which shows at work, home, and in the gym when (we are not doing burpees).

Q: Any advice for someone considering trying CrossFit for the first time?
If you trust the process, CrossFit will change your life. Take if from me 118/68. Numbers don’t lie.

Thank you for continuing to be a part of our Terminus family! Your laugh is contagious and you bring an amazing energy to the people around you in class (even at 5am). You can achieve anything if you’re willing to work for it – and you’ve proven that!

Here is a little about Thomas’s journey through CrossFit so far:
I had a buddy that was doing it. I got tired of waiting around at LA Fitness for equipment. So I tried it out and here I am.

Q: Where are you originally from?

Fort Myers, Florida

Q: What class do you attend?

I thought there was only one class…4:30

Q: Do you have a favorite workout or movement? Least favorite?

I like 21-15-9 of just about anything…short sprint/burners
Anything that involves the rower or bike

Q: What’s your favorite hobby, pastime or interest outside of work (other than CrossFit)?

Football – college or professional, fishing when I have time

Q: Favorite music to work out to or just listen to in general?

Country or classic rock…or podcasts

Q: What is something that we may not know about you?

I’m pretty good at ping pong.

Q: Favorite Atlanta Restaurant?

I don’t eat out much but I like Doraku or Marcel’s when I do.

Q: Favorite moment at CF Terminus?

When I PR’d my mile – that was pretty cool!

Q: How has CrossFit affected your life (inside/outside of the gym)?

My health has improved. I’m definitely in better shape than before – I cleaned up my diet and have been able to maintain it and keep the weight off.
I enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds and lifestyles

Q: Any advice for someone considering trying CrossFit for the first time?
You gotta start somewhere – you won’t walk in and be the strongest or fastest person. No one is the best athlete – there is always something to work toward! Don’t be discouraged if someone next to you is doing something different – it’s part of the process and you’ll always have someone to look up to. I also really like that everyone is so positive!