Athlete of the Month: Todd Fox
Birthday: March 26th.
Crossfit Birthday: April 1st, 2010
How did you hear about Crossfit? From my sister Steph. She does Crossfit in Washington, D.C. and had been hounding me for about a year to give it a go.
Favorite/ least favorite movements or workouts? Given my body type, I really like metabolic and body weight geared workouts. I like running, rope climbs, pull ups, handstand pushups. I also like to do bar work: deadlifts, cleans, jerks.
My least favorite workout is anything involving overhead squats. They are my evil nemesis and easily the most challenging movement for me.
How has Crossfit changed your life? My starting Crossfit coincides pretty closely with a personal life event, my divorce. As you can imagine, that’s a pretty major, life-changing thing. And, I was on pretty shaky ground emotionally and in knowing who I was.
I started Crossfit, in all honesty, to get my pesky sister off my back. The timing of starting an “exercise program” also seemed not so bad…almost kind of good. What the heck?! I went to a class. I was so overwhelmed. And for 2 weeks, I was really, REALLY sore. I kept at it for 6 months because…well…I don’t know exactly why. But, at 6 months, Jaime and Bobby opened 515 and I moved to their gym. A lot of things for me came together: I saw their daily commitment, their freakishness on a daily basis. They are great role models. In turn, I committed myself. With every day, I saw physical improvement and I could see my confidence building. With the confidence, I really began to push myself. I set goals. For example, a little over a year ago I was determined to do a muscle up. For about 6 months, I would come into the gym, do my obligatory muscle up attempt and fail. One week, Bob Jennings successfully got a muscle up. Crap! ….er…I mean Congratulations Bob! In my mind, it was game on. So here’s the cool thing about Crossfit, the community wants to see you succeed. They will help you, they will push you, and they will necessarily humble you. In pushing myself and in having a specific goal(s), I became mentally and physically stronger. On one day, when I came in to do my obligatory muscle up, I found myself, quite by surprise, on top of the rings. What a high!
In a long-winded answer to the question, Crossfit has undoubtedly changed my life. The process and discipline of doing Crossfit has underscored what I’m capable of; it has also shined a bright light on my weaknesses. It’s time for some new goals!
I love getting up and going to the gym, not only to work out, but to see amazing people and friends!
Job info: I am a staff specialist for Pioneer Hi-Bred, developing software for North America Sales and Marketing. One of my areas of expertise is GIS.
Family info: I have a twelve year old daughter, Quinn, and a nine year old boy, Will. I dig ‘em.
Something funny/ interesting about me: Immediately after college, I spent about 9 months in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. While there, I was taken to jail, shot at, and threatened with a knife…good times.
Favorite saying: It is what it is.
Most/ least favorite song to wod to? I am a music lover. But, before Crossfit, I was not a real connoisseur of ear bleed music. But, I have to admit, it’s grown on me. When I get to choose the music, I like Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes by Fall Out Boy, The Cave and Little Lion Man by Mumford and Sons, Giving Up The Gun by Vampire Weekend, about anything by the Raconteurs, and the always solid All These Things That I’ve Done by The Killers.
Favorite Movie: I love movies. I cannot pick just one. In no particular order: Fight Club, The Usual Suspects, Gladiator, Braveheart, any Redford and Newman film, any Coen Brother film, Road to Perdition, Pan’s Labyrinth, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Sin City, The Outlaw Josie Wales, Amelie, A Very Long Engagement, The Thin Red Line. I also, hesitatingly, admit to a bromance with Hugh Grant (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, Notting Hill…) My lists are ever changing…depending on my mood.
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