Athlete of the Month

September 2021 AOTM: Meet Fred Webb
We have so much appreciation for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work and perseverance.  Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, It’s our resident superhero! AKA Clark Kent, AKA Fred Webb! He may come off as mild manner by day, but is a true Superman when he hits the gym. Get to know Fred here and give him a fist bump next time you’re at the gym.

Q: How long have you been going to Terminus? What changes have you seen in yourself (physically or mentally) since joining?
I have been a part of the Terminus community since February 2021. Physically, I notice that I am leaner, yet I am at my strongest. The dynamic combination of functional movements along with weightlifting has completely transformed my outlook on exercising; it is like learning how to walk for the first time. Mentally, there are moments where I can’t believe I am able to do CrossFit; there is no doubt it is building mental fortitude challenging my mind and body. Consequently, when I finish a workout, it’s equally rewarding and mind blowing because of the level of difficulty. Last, I’m just in a better head space when I go to Terminus, exercise gives me peace of mind.

Q: How has your journey at Terminus helped you outside the gym?
In addition to being in great physical shape, spending time in the gym has led to some amazing relationships outside of the gym. Specifically, I’ve been able to have a lot more social support outside the gym which is a tremendous value to me. I feel like I am building community. I’ve also had opportunities to spend time with the Terminus community at weekend events and some night life.

Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
There are a few individuals who inspire me at the gym. Diana Wong. Diana was the first person within the Terminus community I met and advocated for me to join the gym. It all started with a conversation at church. Diana inspires me because she’s got that Mamba mentality during workouts and holds me accountable for showing up to the gym. Michael Layton also motivates me. I can always count on Michael to “show me the ropes.” He’s never too busy to demonstrate the correct form or movement of an exercise, even during a tough workout. Michael also helps me with skill work after class! Finally, Seth Oyler. Seth goes hard in the gym that’s just what he does. In addition, he challenges me to optimize my energy during workouts, so I am working hard and smart. I love that fist bump from him after a good workout.

Q: How would you describe what it’s like to be a part of Terminus?
Family environment. It’s exciting to be a part of the Terminus community; working out with a group of individuals all striving to push their physical and mental limitations and become the best version of themselves. Doing CrossFit at Terminus is a completely new experience for me. I know I’m at the right gym.  Since I began my journey at Terminus everyone has been extremely welcoming and helpful. I feel like Bobby Boucher in the Water Boy “thank you so much for being my friends.”

Q:  Tell us about your first day of class at Terminus.
Thankfully, my first day was truly an introductory class. I remember going to a morning class around 9:15am. I felt like I was in a completely new environment trying to absorb everything. I remember doing deadlifts that day, but I didn’t know the flow of class and how the gym operated. I tried to watch and learn from other gym members there, also observing how to locate and change weight plates. I’m thankful for the help I received that day from members and my coach.

Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
Growing up in San Diego, California I played multiple sports such as football, basketball, and participated in Track and Field. Next, I’ve been creating Hip Hop/Rap music since 2011 and released my first album recently, titled “Clark Kent” available on all major platforms.

Q: What are your top 3 memories or proudest moments in CrossFit?
One of my proudest moments includes learning and doing the Olympic weightlifts. I recently set a personal record for cleans. Next, improving my technique in the kipping pull up. Last, learning how to increase my reps with touch n’ go’s when using the barbell, it’s a game changer!

Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long-term goals in the gym?
Moving forward my short-term goal is to continue to improve in the movements, skills, and exercises we do in the gym. I feel I’m in a good place right now where I am making progress; this feeling alone excites me for the future. Long term, it would be incredible to compete at some level. The CrossFit games are extremely inspirational.

August 2021 Athletes of the month: Orianna Casanas & Rafael Villasana
We have so much love for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work and perseverance. This month we decided to feature one of our power couples!  Get to know Orianna & Rafa here and give them a fist bump next time you’re at the gym. 

Q: How long have you been going to Terminus? What changes have you seen in yourself (physically or mentally) since joining?
It’ll be a year at the end of October! When we first joined, we were coming out of the quarantine so our minds and bodies were not in the best shape. Since joining, we are both stronger, fitter, and enjoying the process more than we ever have.

Q: How has your journey at Terminus helped you outside the gym?
Terminus has helped us learn how to tackle our weaknesses with more grace inside and outside the gym while still being proud of our strengths. It has also helped us stay balanced and more focused in everything we love doing outside the gym.

Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
We all know that CrossFit is not an easy thing to do, so to be surrounded by so many people who don’t shy away from doing difficult things and always show up and give it their best effort has been awesome.
But Curtis tho, the guy never stops moving.

Q: How would you describe what it’s like to be a part of Terminus?
Terminus is a community of people who take their fitness seriously but love so much more than just CrossFit. We have met artists, teachers, entrepreneurs, grandparents, parents and their kids, students, athletes, Georgians who are born and raised, and people who have come from all parts of the world. All are kind-hearted, welcoming and people who love to see each other succeed.

Q:  Tell us about your first day of class at Terminus.
We were pretty nervous to get back into CrossFit after not having worked out for months, but we shrugged it off by saying “How bad could it really be? It’s not like it’ll be burpees over the rower or Kalsu or anything like that”… It was burpees over the rower, which actually ended up being really fun! And then a few weeks later it was Kalsu so we skipped that one 🙂

Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
Rafa: I’m an in vitro baby and could’ve been a triplet
Orianna: I’m a black belt in Kung Fu

Q: What are your top 3 memories or proudest moments in CrossFit?
Rafa: Hitting CaliBear rx with coach Trent for the first time, rx-ing Nate and snatching 100kgs.
Orianna: First bar muscle up post pandemic, failing a power clean twice and Jen Emory pushing me to try again and hitting it for a big PR, and front squatting my old 1RM for 5.

Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term goals in the gym?
Rafa: I want to stay as present as I can and enjoy training as it comes. But I always want to be stronger.
Orianna: Short term goal is butterfly pulls up and long term I’m shooting for a 200lbs clean.

July 2021 AOTM: Meet Chloe Pearse
We have so much appreciation for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work and perseverance. We are thankful to have Chloe as a member! Her courage, humor, humility, and charity represent the qualities that truly make our community special. Get to know Chloe here and give her a fist bump next time you’re at the gym.

Q: How long have you been going to Terminus? What changes have you seen in yourself (physically or mentally) since joining?
At the start of 2019 I was diagnosed with a blood cancer and it knocked me sideways. Overnight pretty much everything changed for me. I spent 2019 trying to understand what it meant, getting used to the medication that knocked me out and added to my growing fatigue. My ‘ah ha’ moment came this time last year in 2020 when I realized I needed to get active and fit again if this body was going to deal with my illness and get me through the next 30 years or so. I knew of Terminus as I regularly drove past the gym so I contacted Ben and set up an intro lesson.  I have been coming  3-4 times a week almost regularly since then. This is the most committed I’ve ever been to a place and to my health and the changes are noticeable. While I’ll never lift the heaviest, I’m lifting heavier and heavier each time. I’ll never be the fastest but I push myself to finish within time. I’ll never be the most flexible but my squats are pretty deep, and I’ll never like burpees but I do them. Terminus has made me want to get better for myself and that is a new feeling for me.

Q: How has your journey at Terminus helped you outside the gym?
Getting physically stronger means I can now do things I enjoy without getting tired too quickly. I remember the first time I kept up with my husband in unloading 30 bags of mulch. I matched him bag for bag up the driveway. Before Terminus I would not have been able to have moved more than about 4 without having to quit. That was one of my proudest moments, knowing that getting strong meant I could live life. It’s helped me in other ways too, I’m more comfortable in my body, I like the way it is slowly changing shape and showing the world what it can do.

Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
Everyone who turns up regardless of all the other family, work and mental pressures that we all face. The 7am and 8am classes, these are full of fun, kind and talented people (who also bring a slightly world-weary sarcasm with them that I appreciate so much – I’m looking at you Allison and Wyatt). Also let’s not forget the 7.30pm class – Marcie, Sam, Jacquwan who encouraged me when I first started. The coaches, especially the coaches who were once students. I think that says a lot about a place that it inspires people to want to teach and help others be their best.

Q: How would you describe what it’s like to be a part of Terminus?
I am part of a group of people who don’t necessarily take themselves seriously but take their fitness very seriously and that means people are open and friendly and supportive of each other’s goals and are always happy for someone else’s success.

Q:  Tell us about your first day of class at Terminus.
Patrick and squats. Bear in mind I had not exercised in almost 2 years, I was the original ‘couch to cross-fit’ candidate. I couldn’t walk the next day but I remember that I loved the class, Patrick and the others made it so welcoming (and it is scary turning up unfit to Cross-Fit)

Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
I have lived and worked on 4 continents, and I became an American citizen in April

Q: What are your top 3 memories or proudest moments in CrossFit?
Hitting triple digits for a back squat. Shaving 40secs off a 2km row the second time I did it and having enough grip strength to finally be able to hang off the bar

Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term goals in the gym?
Yes lots! Now I can hang from the bar, I want to work on pull ups – it’s the old lack of upper body strength for me. If this time next year I can execute some decent looking pull ups I will be over the moon.

May 2021 AOTM: Meet Adam Mincey
We have so much love for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work and perseverance. Adam is a local Atlanta real estate agent and recent newlywed. Get to know Adam here and give him a fist bump next time you’re at the gym.

Q: How long have you been going to Terminus? What changes have you seen in yourself (physically or mentally) since joining? 
I joined Terminus in October of 2018. Ryan Oubre kept showing up to look at houses suuuper sweaty and jacked after his WOD and he invited me to come workout! It has definitely improved my physique and conditioning. But, the biggest change I have seen in myself is my level of focus. I have been able to train my mind to be more present and do just a little bit more than I think I am capable of doing.

Q: How has your journey at Terminus helped you outside the gym?
Putting yourself through these grueling workouts week in and out definitely creates a strong mental fortitude.

Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
Probably cliché but I would say everyone! Seeing someone who is clearly more fit than you and trying to keep pace with them is super inspiring, or seeing all of the Eastman’s there working out together is amazing and totally family goals!

Q: How would you describe what it’s like to be a part of Terminus?
It’s like going to school again, but maybe like a P.E. class ha! You have a chance to get to know this wonderful community all while also going through super tough workouts together!

Q:  Tell us about your first day of class at Terminus.
Back in 2018 we still had “intro” class.  All I really recall is Patrick was our coach and I was eager to show how in shape and fit I was and that I was ready for the regular class! I was not..

Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
I was in a few local bands here and spent from 2009-2015 playing music all over the country

Q: What are your top 3 memories or proudest moments in CrossFit?
1. Placing in 2nd at last years 10k
2. Getting my first muscle up
3. Meeting my bro Thomas

Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term goals in the gym?
Butterfly pull-ups are my short term and my long term is to do L3 for every workout for a whole year!