I was referred to Dave and Crossfit by my co-worker Jenna. She had been working out with Dave for about a year, before and during her pregnancy, with great results. On Oct 3rd, 2010 I walked into the Crossfit box and met Dave. I was 218 lbs and considered myself to be overweight but in OK shape cardio wise. I jogged occasionally, 3-5 times a month. That was the extent of my workout routine for years with the occasional ramp up for a 10K or fun run. I never lifted weights, did pushups, had heard of a kettle bell. I thought a snatch and a jerk meant something completely different than I do today.
The introductory workout was on a Saturday morning and was a seven minute, as many rounds as possible of 5 burpees and 5 thrusters with a 55lb barbell. I don’t remember how many rounds I finished but I know it wasn’t many and I was completely wrecked. I quickly realized how truly out of shape I was. I was so sore from my seven minute work out that getting in and out of the car and going down a set stairs was torture. I wasn’t able to get back in for my next workout until that following Thurs because of the soreness. Dave was great at scaling the workouts for me (along with other newbie’s) and that allowed me to get up to speed at a rate that challenged me but did not kill me. I never felt out of place or uncomfortable with the rest of the class, even when I was doing scaled or shortened workouts. Everyone was very welcoming and encouraging throughout.
I enjoyed the workouts, the other members and Dave so much that my wife Tisha joined shortly thereafter. Tisha was pregnant at the time so Dave modified the workouts to make sure to keep her heart rate down and that all the movements were pregnancy friendly. After our daughter was born in March Tisha was back at it a few months later with Kayde in her car seat watching the workouts.
Just over a year later I am down to 175lbs and am stronger than I have ever been. I have gone from wall pushups and jumping pull-ups to full push ups and no band pull-ups for all WOD’s. I learned how to eat real food while going through two Paleo challenges. I continue to set new PR’s on lifting and benchmark WOD’s constantly. I have a lot of room for improvement for sure, but feel like if I keep showing up and putting in the work I will reach all of my goals. I am very grateful to Dave for everything he has taught me and to the other members of Crosffit Modig who make coming in to work out a lot of fun. I actually look forward everyday to my 4:30 class and don’t quite feel like myself on the days I am unable to make it.
- Andy Lareau
Most women have something they dislike about their body. But after the millionth sit-up, thousandth lunge and hundredth mile, we throw our hands up and relegate ourselves to the status quo. I’m no different. Forgetting the extra pounds in college, I was always a fairly athletic person. I’ve run ½ marathons, done a few triathlons and even dabbled a bit in adventures races. But no matter how hard I tried, it seemed nothing toned my arms. Sure, I “lifted” weights, but I never saw any results. I was still embarrassed to wear short sleeves and tank tops or anything that accentuated a part of my body that I, yes, hated. And believe me, there are other parts of me that could stand to be improved, but none actually caused me to feel as sad or embarrassed as my arms. And then I had a baby. He has been the biggest joy of our lives, but pregnancy changes your body in ways you would never imagine. And then you spend most of your waking hours caring for the baby and putting off anything that takes you away. Working out becomes a luxury that you’re not sure you can afford or much rather deserve.
It wasn’t until a few months before Ryan’s 1st birthday that my husband, who had already been hit with the CrossFit bug, encouraged me to speak to David and check it out. I was a complete naysayer. If it wasn’t 45 minutes of cardio, then I didn’t believe that it could get anyone in shape. But after reluctantly doing a few WOD’s with my husband at the local gym, I realized there was something special about CrossFit. Not only did I love the challenge and variety of the workouts, but I felt good, really good, when it was over. It was almost like the runner’s high, but better. In mid June 2011, I met David and began going to CrossFit. My life has been changed forever. The past few months have pushed me harder than I’ve ever been pushed physically and mentally, but I love it. Back squats, shoulder presses, hang cleans, you name it…I’m doing it and I’m loving it. I owe it not only to the fundamental physical and nutritional aspects of CrossFit, but to David who has encouraged me and pushed me each step of the way. In the past 3 months, I’ve lost nearly 10lbs and 3% of body fat. Best of all, my arms are toned for the first time in my life. To say that feels amazing doesn’t even begin to describe my joy. Thanks David and thanks CrossFit; you’ve got another believer.
- Katie Eggers
