December’s Athlete of the Month is Paul!
Paul has been around for a relatively short time, but has quickly adapted to the CFT community. A mainstay of our early AM classes, his dedication not only to himself but to his fellow athletes is matched only by his determination in completing the WODs. Let’s hear from the man himself!
Athlete Interview
CFT: Where are you from?
Paul: East Boston originally. I now live in Winthrop with my wife and daughter.
CFT: How long have you been doing CrossFit?
Paul: I’ve been doing CrossFit for 6 months.
CFT: Did you have a fitness background prior to starting CrossFit?
Paul: Growing up I played a lot of sports. In high school I played football and baseball and in college I played baseball. After college I really started to get into running and I’ve done several half-marathons.
CFT: What motivated you to try CrossFit?
Paul: I wanted to get better at running and run a sub 2hr half marathon. However, that’s been put on hold while I recover from an injury.
CFT: What are your favorite exercises, movements or WODs?
Paul: I love doing cleans, deadlifts, and snatches. I also love WODs that involve some type of barbell movement followed by a 400m run or a row. Any WOD that leaves you laying on the ground grasping for air after completion is right up my alley.
CFT: What is your proudest accomplishment since joining CFT?
Paul: Getting my first strict pull-up!
CFT: How has CFT helped you in your everyday life?
Paul: I’m not sure I can put this in words but I’ll try. I lost my mother suddenly in 2006 to a heart attack. I immediately took up running to relieve stress from my loss but I lead a pretty unhealthy life-style with eating and drinking. It was weird… I feared having the same fate as my mother but I couldn’t stop myself from eating a whole pizza with a 12-pack and some ice cream. This behavior went on up until June of this year when I decided to join CFT. After my first workout at CFT something just ‘clicked’, I can’t describe it any other way; I stopped fearing and started living. I have this new sense of confidence and have been able to live a sustainable life. I no longer workout because “that’s what you’re supposed to do.” I go to CFT because I love each workout; no matter how much they can suck sometimes! Eating well doesn’t seem like a chore anymore and I’ve been able to lose over 30lbs since June!
CFT: What do you like to do outside of the gym?
Paul: I like to run (when I’m fully able to again), spending time with my family, reading, and cooking.
CFT: What is your favorite song to workout to?
Paul: Give me all the Hip-Hop. Drake, Future, and Young Thug are my usual go to artists.
CFT: Any parting words to wrap up?
Paul: CFT is a community and I love that. All the coaches are amazing and they know each of their athletes’ strengths and they know how to get the most out of everyone. I also feel a sense of accountability to the other athletes. When it’s cold in the morning and I’m laying in my bed I think of the other athletes that are at the box and I feel like that I owe it to them to show up as much as I owe it to myself. They also push me to be better. Thanks to the coaches and athletes at CFT!!
Well said, Paul! Congratulations!