We have so much appreciation for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work and commitment. Meet San Hinson! Sam jumped into his time at Terminus feet-first and continues to make a positive impact on our community. Not only does he show up with a smile on his face everyday, but Sam is always willing to learn and grow! Let’s dive into his journey at Terminus a little further, and make sure to give him a high five the next time you see him in the gym!

Q: How long have you been going to Terminus? What changes have you seen in yourself (physically or mentally) since joining?
This month marks exactly 2 years since I joined Terminus. Physically, I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life. Mentally, I feel so motivated to seek out challenges and give it everything I have. Physical and mental wellbeing work together in harmony, and what I’ve learned is the strongest growth happens when you implement consistency over a long period of time.

 Q: How has your journey at Terminus helped you outside the gym?
Truly, it’s awakened a level of grit and intensity I didn’t know I had, and what I carry with me into the other areas of my life is never giving less than my best effort at anything I do. Whether I’m focused on my career, my family, my friends, or anything inbetween, I make an effort to show up and be the best version of Sam that I can be. Life can be challenging at times, and that’s okay, just shake it out, take a deep breath, and get right back into it.

Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
I owe this shoutout to my OG friends who initially recruited me to Terminus: Ro, Diana, & Lacey. Apart from what I’ve learned from them in the gym, they are true friends to me and my life is better with them in it.

Also, even though he moved to Chicago, Carl Knight truly was an inspiration to me in my early Terminus days. Dude’s an absolute rockstar. He showed up, made zero excuses, and got it done every day. I wanna be like Carl when I grow up! (Carl, if you’re reading this, we still miss you and you can come back anytime!)

Q: How would you describe what it’s like to be a part of Terminus?
It’s a community of so many vibrant personalities that all share the common value of embracing the grind. Picture a Venn diagram that goes in hundreds of directions, but is held together at its core by one of the strongest and most authentic values. Everyone is there to support and encourage you to be 1% better than you were yesterday.

Q:  Tell us about your first day of class at Terminus.
I can’t say I remember exactly what the workout was, but what I do remember is a lot of people making me feel welcome, quickly getting humbled by the workout, and waking up REALLY sore the next morning. But against all odds, I showed up the very next day to do it all again. Fast forward 2 years and I’m still loving it.

Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
I’ve been cage diving with a great white shark – and honestly, if you’ve talked to me for even less than 5 minutes, I’ve probably voluntarily told you about it.

One other thing is that I hate ketchup with a passion. It’s a long story but I’ll gladly rant about it anytime.

Q: What are your top 3 memories or proudest moments in CrossFit?
Nailing my first bar muscle-up for sure, finally overcoming the fear of getting upside-down in a handstand, and I’m proud of throwing myself into the RX division of the 2023 Turducken games when I had every reason to talk myself out of it.

 Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term goals in the gym?

My current ongoing goal is to RX the workouts every day that I can. There’s still days that I fall short of that, but I don’t get down on myself about it. Instead I still find a way to challenge myself to keep my journey moving forward. Those small pushes toward excellence will most definitely compound over time.

We have so much appreciation for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work and commitment. Meet Sara Hardy! Sara is a true treasure and staple of the Terminus family. When she’s not using her awesome photography skills to capture memorable moments in the Terminus community, she’s busy encouraging others to keep working hard and showing up (just like her!). Let’s dive into her journey at Terminus a little further, and make sure to smile for her camera and give her a high five the next time you see her in the gym!

Q: How long have you been going to Terminus? What changes have you seen in yourself (physically or mentally) since joining?

I’m coming up on nine years at Terminus. I’m the fittest I’ve ever been, and can do things I never thought I’d be able to do – like butterfly pull-ups, handstand walks, and muscle ups. I hated snatches so much when I started CF that I almost quit over it, but now they’re my favorite move.

 Q: How has your journey at Terminus helped you outside the gym?
I was always self-conscious about my body; CF has helped me gain perspective that I don’t need to be a perfect size 2; I can love my strong body and everything it allows me to do in life. I also sit at a computer all day, and CF helps keep from (1) losing my mind, and (2) becoming a total potato.

Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
People that come in with the willingness to be awful at something, to finish last, and still come back the next day. We all started somewhere, and it’s really tempting to quit, but seeing the changes and progress in those that keep at it never gets old. I am also inspired by the early morning folk that work out – and leave – before the sun rises, but most importantly my 8am guys that I look forward to seeing each day and push me to be better.

Q: How would you describe what it’s like to be a part of Terminus?
It’s hard not to sound corny, but it’s such a special place: I’ve made so many amazing friends – people whose paths I never would have crossed in normal life; I’m grateful for all the coaches looking out for our safety and betterment; I love the positive environment they instill there. There are times mid-WOD that I question why I do this to myself, but afterwards I’m always (well, usually) happy that I showed up.

Q:  Tell us about your first day of class at Terminus.
I was thoroughly overwhelmed; I remember seeing a bunch of Squat Mafia folks & thinking I was in over my head. Paulino was the first person to come talk to me, and I felt immediately welcomed. At my previous gym I was often the only one in class, so I was thrilled to have others to suffer with.

Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
I collect antique cameras

Q: What are your top 3 memories or proudest moments in CrossFit?
Getting my first pull-up:

1. when I started CF I never imagined I’d ever be able to do them.
2. Running a Spartan race with a bunch of Terminus peeps.
3.  Beach Brawl in Pensacola!

Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term goals in the gym?

More consistent bar muscle ups, and to hit a 150# snatch.

Memorial day is approaching which means it’s almost time for “Murph”! Every year on Memorial Day, people across the globe honor fallen service members by completing the “Murph” challenge. “Murph” honors the life of Lieutenant Michael Murphy from Patchogue, NY, who died serving in Afghanistan on August 15th, 2005.

On Monday, May 27th we will challenge ourselves with “Murph” as a reminder of how grateful we are for those who protect and serve our country, while also remembering and honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.

Classes will be approx. 75 minutes in length. Our class times will be: 7:30am, 9:00am, & 10:30am.

“Murph” is done for time and consists of:

A one-mile run

100 pull-ups

200 push-ups

300 squats

Another one-mile run

• Partition Pull-ups, Push-ups and Air Squats as needed
• Optional: complete with a weighted vest

The beauty of “Murph” is that the workout will meet you where you are in your fitness journey. We will guide you with many variations including a partner variation to ensure everyone is challenged appropriately. Make sure to ask a coach in the coming days about scaling or partner options if you’re ready to tackle the challenge.

In anticipation of “Murph”, make sure your hands are ready for 100 pull ups (or whatever variation you’re completing)! Check out Victory Grips for incredible hand protection, and be sure to use this affiliate link https://bit.ly/victory-terminus for 10% off!

We have so much appreciation for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work and commitment. Meet Eli Dent! Eli is a relatively new member of the Terminus family, and is quickly approaching his 1-year anniversary! Eli proves that CrossFit can have a positive impact on your life and activities outside the gym. Let’s dive into his journey at Terminus a little further, and give him a high five next time you see him 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’s been 11 months. Almost a full year! That’s insane to think about. I feel stronger than I’ve ever felt both mentally and physically.

Q: How has your journey at Terminus helped you outside the gym?
This was my first real Crossfit gym and so there was a LOT of learning when it came to the movements and exercises. Some of which I never thought I’d be able to do (muscle-ups). Learning the new movements has given me more confidence when facing new challenges at work. It’s been a big year of learning new skills for work and sometimes that’s daunting, but seeing progress in my workouts keeps me optimistic that I’m moving forward.

Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
Oh man, there are so many! Coach Madi really inspired me at the Turducken Games last year with her 50 Double-unders unbroken on the final workout…she was clearly tired, but that didn’t stop her. Not once! I still get fired up thinking about that. Nigel inspired me with his performance on the final Friday Night Lights workout during the Open. He laid it all out there. And finally, both Courtney and Natalie. They are some of the nicest and most consistent people. Every time I’ve done a Friday workout with them and come away completely exhausted, I think: there’s no way these people are coming back for the Saturday morning workout too… and then I drive by the next morning and see these two doing the warm up jog around the block. That consistency is so inspiring. These are a few of the people that stick out to me right now, but it’s without fail that I get inspired everytime I go.

Q: How would you describe what it’s like to be a part of Terminus?
It’s like having an extended family that’s always positive and supportive.

Q:  Tell us about your first day of class at Terminus.
I was anxious to say the least! And when it was announced that we were new members here, we got invited to trivia afterwards. It was truly the best welcome and I’m so thankful for everyone that made us feel at home here.

Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
Before moving to Atlanta, my wife and I built out a cargo van and lived/traveled in that for 7 months with our pup Finn. We tried the whole tiktok thing for it once called finnyandthedents.

Q: What are your top 3 memories or proudest moments in CrossFit?
Practicing my handstand walks on Sundays with John Ben Alex and Jacquan, getting a real ring muscle-up!, being a part of Team Corgis in the Open.

 Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term goals in the gym?
I really want to be able to compete in the RX division for the next Turducken Games. Last year the RX weights were too heavy for me, but maybe not this year!

We have so much appreciation for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work and commitment. Meet Antti Kekkonen. Antti has been a member of the Terminus family since 2016. Not only a beast in our daily training, Antti proves that CrossFit can have a positive impact on your life and activities outside the gym. Let’s dive into his journey at Terminus a little further, and give him a high five next time you see her 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 started at Terminus in 2016 I think, I transferred from CrossFit Decatur after we moved to Benteen Park. The physical changes after joining CrossFit were pretty significant, my body composition and energy levels definitely changed for the better. On a mental note, CrossFit is the perfect form of stress relief and a way to energize my mind. If I ever have things stressing me out, usually they’re gone by the time I hit that last rep of the workout. One finds perspective in life through physical suffering of a good EMOM.

 Q: How has your journey at Terminus helped you outside the gym?

This is huge. Being in good physical form has shielded me from work related injuries, I am certain of this. Knocking on wood.

Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?

As I’m getting up there myself, I get inspiration from all the seasoned athletes coming in and taking care of business and by the wisdom that they bring! You’ve gotta have the courage to scale if your body tells you so.

Q: How would you describe what it’s like to be a part of Terminus?

I think Terminus is extraordinary with an extremely supportive community. At Terminus there is a place for everybody, Terminus gives as much as you are willing to accept.

Q:  Tell us about your first day of class at Terminus.

This I remember well. It was at the old location with Emily, the only class I ever participated in over there. It was snatches, that whole damn week all snatches! I was shopping around for a new gym that week and every gym was snatching the day I was there.

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

I was second tenor in my university male choir!

Q: What are your top 3 memories or proudest moments in CrossFit?

There are so many, but off the top of my head. I remember feeling very accomplished after I got my first handstand pull over at CFD with Coach Johnny. Another memory that I actually am a little proud of is the time people wanted to call an EMS after I redlined on the assault bike. Third…(suddenly feeling all serious) I have to give credits to Emily and Ben, the whole Terminus team and community over how the COVID shutdown was handled. The situation was desperate and impossible, I can’t even begin to imagine being a business owner in those circumstances. The virtual classes were up and running so quick, maybe even the first day of shutdown. Those classes built structure into a surreal reality, at that point in time Terminus was a true anchor of sanity. I also remember how comforting those social zoom events were that we held on Fridays. For many people these were the only connections outside of their nuclear family. Thank you!

 Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term goals in the gym?

My goal is to get a few workouts done every week for many weeks and years to come.