Deadlift 400
Back squat 325
Fran 4:18
Helen 8:53
Grace 2:54
Strict Pull-ups 20
CrossFit Level 1 Certification
I have always enjoyed helping others learn new skills, whether that is flying an airplane, snowboarding, using chopsticks, or weight lifting. I tend to get interested in something, study it, try it out (or fail at it), and then share what I’ve learned with others. I have been a teacher professionally as well; I taught at a major university for 5 years and was also an instructor pilot in the Air Force. Growing up I enjoyed playing sports and excelled at wrestling in high school (AZ state champion in 1995) and college. When family and work life got busy I found it harder to stay in shape—but somehow managed to get a passing score on my yearly fitness tests in the military. About 10 years ago I did a 5x5 lifting routine consistently for a while (mostly self-taught), which opened my eyes to the weightlifting world. But it wasn’t until Misty and I discovered CrossFit in 2017 that I found my forever fitness home. If your experience was anything like mine, I remember saying to myself “…if only I had tried this sooner!” After a move overseas and leaving our first CrossFit gym, it was hard to remain consistent, but I still tried to do CrossFit-style workouts on my own. In 2021 we started coming to CrossFit Shokunin after settling down in Mesa, and I enjoyed seeing major progress in my lifts and skills, and now feel like I’m in the best shape of my entire life. The 2022 CrossFit Open was a game changer for me—that is when I went from just doing CrossFit to staying in shape to realize that I really liked this stuff and could see myself going professional! Okay, maybe not ‘all the way’ professional, but I realized I was interested enough to want to learn more, and, with some encouragement from Misty and some friends who saw my potential as a coach, I decided to get my Level 1 Certification. I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching at CF Shokunin since May 2021. I’m all in CrossFit now!
I remember my 3rd grade PE teacher encouraging me to never stop walking, even if I got tired, as we ran around the track. I wanted to make him proud and I found I could push myself through the pain. Later on in life that same drive and toughness helped me achieve my goals in wrestling and, more importantly, to get through many challenges. I believe that the struggle we experience during physically and mentally demanding workouts prepares us for the curveballs and daily grind of life—we become mentally, emotionally, and physically primed to persevere instead of giving up. Coming to the gym is like facing mini mind vs. body battles, and when you conquer the bar, the rower, the rope, or the run…everything else going on outside the gym becomes a little bit easier! Add in the camaraderie and support of a CrossFit gym family and now you’re nearly invincible.
I’m a unapologetic believer CrossFit’s foundational principles and movements. I love sharing how CrossFit has helped me and why it is the best overall fitness program out there anyone can do—no matter your experience level, age, or health. We must all be prepared for the unknown and the unknowable. We’re all going to die—why not be healthy, happy, and even capable of doing a few pull-ups on your last day? Give me an ear and a minute and I’ll happily preach the benefits of CrossFit to you.
