CFDC Athlete Spotlight: Aaron A.

How long have you been doing CrossFit, and what inspired you to begin? How long have you been at CFDC?

My first Elements class was on February 29, 2016. So as I write this it’s been four months to the day since I started CrossFit and my journey began with you all at CFDC.

Honestly, I just didn’t want to spend my forties fat like I spent most of my thirties. Also, I knew getting in shape and some serious exercise would help improve my mental health.

 

What are your favorite and least favorite CrossFit movements?

Front squat and push presses are my favorite weighted exercises. My least favorite exercises are double-unders and pull-ups, primarily because I cannot do any well…yet.

 

What do you do when you aren’t flinging heavy weights around the gym?

I work in finance at the US Small Business Administration. Otherwise, you’ll usually find me at church, a 12-step meeting or out and about at dinner or the movies with friends or family (Hi, Mom!). Dating also takes up a lot of time it seems. I’m just trying to find the little spoon to this big spoon and CrossFit has given me more confidence to approach guys and be myself. And I want to look good for my man on our honeymoon!

 

Describe CFDC in 7 syllables.

Training Dirty Equals Gainz. (See, this is what happens when you follow everything #crossfit on Instagram—you start talking like this!)

 

If you could have any superpower you wanted, it’d be ____ because ______.

Um, clairvoyance because bribery? Kidding.

If I could have any superpower I wanted, it’d be the power to unsay things said or undo things done because it’s the power everyone wants but never remembers when asked. However, we all have the power to make amends.

 

Tell us about a goal you’re working toward (in the gym or beyond).

Well, I want to be able to take my shirt off at the beach and get cat-called a few times in my life.

Also, I want to continually receive praise from my doctor about how healthy I’m getting.

But ultimately I just want my epitaph to honestly read: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7

 

What do you know now about CrossFit that you wish you knew when you started?

I wish I knew how great fellow CrossFitters are in both attitude and encouragement.

Getting in shape can be daunting especially when you feel like you’re on the outside looking inside. From the first day I started at CrossFitDC I was impressed that the gyms had no mirrors, that everyone worked out as a team and literally rooted for each other, and that everyone—despite how good they looked walking in—pretty much left the workout ugly. There was no one standing around impressed with their outfit or body in the mirrors. That said a lot and is one of the primary reasons I joined and stay.

The other primary reasons are the facilities and the coaches. You won’t find a better place to work out or better instruction and guidance.

 

Why do you do CrossFit?

I’ve learned three gospels in my life:

The first Gospel that Christ redeemed my soul.

The second gospel that the 12 steps redeemed my mind.

And the third gospel that CrossFit redeemed my body.

So I do CrossFit for the same reason I go to church or why I attend 12 step meetings: because it works.

 

Design your ideal workout playlist.

Oh boy! I have a few dedications too!

1. For Steve: Yo-Yo, Ain’t Nobody Better (https://youtu.be/m1xxMjz5bL8)

“If you think you doper than me you gotta prove to be hyper hypest performance hittin’ the streets…”

2. Kanye West, All of the Lights (https://youtu.be/HAfFfqiYLp0)

3. For Tess: Fergie, Fergalicious (https://youtu.be/5T0utQ-XWGY)

“My body stay vicious / I be up in the gym just working on my fitness…”

4. Missy Elliot, Lose Control (https://youtu.be/jD_k7Ni1btU)

5. For Steph: Nicki Minaj, The Night Is Still Young (https://youtu.be/IvN5h9BE444)

“This what you came, this what you came for / You get what you buy, this what you paid for / So make sure the stars is what you aim for / Make mistakes though…”

6. The Jezabels, Look of Love (https://youtu.be/pQ3fAMOz-Ic)

7. For Jon: Sir Mix A-Lot, Baby Got Back (https://youtu.be/kY84MRnxVzo)

“L.A. fits with the Oakland booty… ” #justsayin’

8. Busta Rhymes, Pass The Courvoisier (https://youtu.be/o4ZUaxyPoZ8)

9. For Lance: Whatta Man, Salt-N- Pepa (https://youtu.be/DoSVWlqLF50)

Congratulations on your wedding!

10. For Chris: Tool, Opiate (https://youtu.be/wwIAMfF0jvw)

“What you need is someone strong to guide you… Just do everything I tell you to do.”

11. Tom: Ellie Goulding, Codes (https://youtu.be/MPiaLiKYIiE)

“I can’t read the sings, stop talking in codes… ”

My first month be like PVC, RDL, AMRAP, EMOM, MET CON…IDK???