How I was introduced to Crossfit: I started cross training 17 years ago at UNM before Crossfit was trademarked. At that time, there were no open-to-the-public gyms with the equipment and the trainers needed to allow an olympic lifting/HIIT/gymnastics/calisthenics mix. I was lucky enough to have such workouts as required training. After school, I struggled mightily to maintain my training in a standard, iron-only gym. No one was telling me what to do. I wasn’t training very hard. Hell, I reached the point where I told myself squats were no longer good for me. Fast forward to 2013, Crossfit moved mainstream (at least, mainstream to New Mexico, which is always at least five years behind everyone else in the country). I became aware of gyms near me that would allow me to lift functionally heavy, jump on a box, or complete a circuit without interruption. I dropped in at Cantina Crossfit. Too small (before they moved). I dropped in at Crossfit to the Bone. Paul Fastnacht had a nice facility with good equipment within five minutes of my house. I was hooked. Someone told me what I had to do every day. All I had to do was get to the gym and lift heavy every day.
If I never had to do this one exercise ever again, I would be stoked: Everyone says burpees. I hate burpees and burpees hate me. But I would never say I’d be stoked to never have to do another burpee. Burpees challenge me mentally as well as physically. Everyone in my house does their birthday burpees, including my five year old. When you see me doing burpees, yes, I am miserable. Yes, I don’t want to do any more. But I will do them. Every one.
If I had to make up my own WOD, it would be: “Sanders” – 5 Rounds for time – 15 box jumps (24/20), 10 OHS (95/65), 5 Snatch (135/95).
Tell us a little about yourself: I have been married to my wife, Samantha, for 12 years. We have two smart and strong girls, Rylee (8) and Addison (5). We love the outdoors (camping, skiing, fishing, beach-ing). As a former UNM baseball player, I hate-like Lobo athletics. Spring is the best time of the year because you can ski in a T-shirt and watch opening day baseball on the same weekend. Oh, to the “Tell us a little about yourself,” may as well add that I am an attorney (a little self-promotion/advertising).
My favorite cheat meal/food is: Can it really be considered a cheat meal/food if you eat it four times a week? Ice cream. Anything with chocolate chips. Add chocolate syrup and whipped cream.
What is your favorite song to workout to?: My Apocalypse – Metallica. Close second, anything but Linkin Park.
What I love about BCCF: I love that the owners are present. Amy, Rebekah (and, yes, Mark, even you), you guys put your time in, and I appreciate your commitment. You also have turned the facility into a first-class gym. You put money back into the gym. It seems like every week we have new equipment. Finally, I dig the programming. Whoever is in charge of programming should get a bonus. (You owe me a drink, Mark. And not just a free one from your bar.).