Upper East Side

As athletes we strive to get better in everything we do. As CrossFit athletes we are constantly reminded on what we need to improve so that we can make our weaknesses strengths. Time and time again Brendan would comes in early to work on these weaknesses and I’m so happy to say the hard work is paying off. It is a pleasure to have Brendan in class and I can’t wait to see where his hard work takes him.

— Coach Jamie

How/when did you get involved in CrossFit? What has motivated you to stick with it?
I started doing CrossFit because one day I woke up and realized that it hurt to get out of bed and at the time I was 23. I have been skateboarding for over 15 years and I decided that I needed to do something about my pain. I decided on CrossFit because a friend of mine told me that he was doing it. His sales pitch was that it “makes you right go home, eat a salad and go to bed.” I decided that this was exactly what I was looking for.

What do you enjoy most about being a member at EVF?
Definitely enjoy the community and the coaches that we have. It’s pretty hard to wake up every morning at 5 a.m. and then come lift weights an hour later. Garen’s dancing comes in a close second too.

Do you remember your first workout? Looking back how did it go?
I don’t remember my first workout, but I do remember coming in for the Olympic Weightlifting class on Saturday and it being cancelled. Jamie showed me how to do full cleans and helped with my form and movement. This was something that I was not accustomed to at my former box. I decided to keep coming back because of how knowledgeable and helpful he was about everything.

What were your goals when you first started? How have they changed?
As I said earlier, mostly to gain strength and just become a much healthier person. I had never really been into a gym before I started CrossFit so I wanted to learn how to lift weights and whatnot properly. Since then I have just wanted to continue progressing in my lifts and cut down my time on my workouts.

How have you grown in that time — health, body, mind, etc.?
I am so much healthier than I was even a year ago, I changed the way I eat, changed how much alcohol I consume and also just my general daily habits. In one year I have seen how much of a positive impact these changes have had on my workouts. Now I hate it when I go to work and haven’t worked out in the morning.

Favorite lift and WOD?
I love full cleans and running. My favorite WOD is probably something with cleans and running.

Least favorite movement and workout?
I don’t really have a least favorite. I used to hate double unders but I actually concentrated, put some work in, threw my jump rope like a child, stopped getting angry and now they are one of my favorite movements. So I have things I am terrible at, such as pull-ups, but I know that eventually I’ll be able to do them, if I work at them.

What drives you through the door each day?
The feeling I get after completing a workout. Also showering then getting to work still sweating. I can’t escape that wonderful feeling.

Do you have any advice for new members?
Don’t ever feel intimidated, come at least two to three times a week, say hi to a few people. Everyone is pretty friendly, even at 6 a.m.

What do you hope to achieve in the coming year?
Do 10 pull-ups in a row and snatch 135. Been trying to do that for about 6 months now.