CFDC Athlete Spotlight: Vin F.

Vin F.’s fitness journey has certainly been a varied one — starting from his college football days, to a P90X fling, to venturing into CrossFit with CFDC in July 2013.  Five months later, Vin achieved one of his biggest goals: quitting smoking for good after 20+ years.  One of the biggest motivators?  Simply wanting to keep up during CFDC’s running met-cons.  

Read on below for a glimpse into our latest Spotlight Athlete’s inspiring journey!  

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

Been doing CrossFit since 7/2013 and have been with CrossFit DC the whole time.

I didn’t choose CFDC – CDFC chose us. My friend Margot sent out an information seeking email to CFDC and another box in the District. Tom responded about 10 minutes later and the other box never did so I guess it was fate.

I was actually a CrossFit hater originally. Prior to CFDC I had been on a fitness kick for about a year or so. I was 45lbs heavier then and realized something had to change. I did P90x for a little bit and then moved on to Insanity. After a few rounds of Insanity (and a bout of bronchitis/Pneumonia) I finally got back down to my old college football/lacrosse weight and was looking for something a little different.

I was vaguely aware of CrossFit from the Internet and the tons of negative comments about it on some fitness forums. Margot kept pestering me and my wife for a few months to try CrossFit with her and my original response was “CrossFit? F that. It’s dangerous!”

I finally relented and we all went to the Intro class and I was hooked. Got hooked even more after Elements and haven’t looked back since.

Do you and Margot always wear matching shirts?

Yes!

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Why?

I could be that it has something to do with: matter/anti-matter, Higgs Bosun, Dark Energy, keeping this timeline correct; or it could just be that we are besties and something about everything being cool when you’re part of a team.

Favorite and least favorite CrossFit movements?

Favorite (and most frustrating): The Olympic Lifts.

Least Favorite: Counting, running, dumbbell thrusters, burpees. Did I mention counting?

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

Sleep.

Describe CFDC in 7 syllables.

Challenge Overcome Laundry

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Design your ideal workout playlist.

Can’t seem to get my 8-track to upload to my Android so I make do with Steve O’s playlists to keep me up to date on things and Chis S’ for my fill of punk and songs from my youth (and Chris has specifically said I must do the exercises and not sing along or burpees and dumbbell thrusters await.)

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

One of my biggest goals was reached 10/21/2013 when I finally quit smoking after 20+ years. Running Metcons may have had something to do with that. I’ve finally gotten to be somewhat proficient at Double-Unders and now want to try tackling Chest-to-Bars and Muscle-Ups.

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

How much fun it can be and how supportive the CFDC/CrossFit community is. The coaching is really top notch and everyone is so positive and encouraging and friendly be they old hands or new. You need to put in the hard work to reach whatever goals you have but there are a ton of people who will support and encourage you every step of the way.

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Why do you do CrossFit?

I do it to challenge myself every day to be better, stronger, faster (without it costing $6,000,000.) I’m definitely in much better shape than my college sports days and there is still a lot more progress to be had. And to be there to encourage others on their own fitness journey to reach whatever goals they set for themselves.