Widespread Athlete of the Month Questionnaire – Fuller Dave – 2026-01-01
How old/young are you?
I turned 55 in Nov’25 and really don’t appreciate receiving the AARP’s junk mail.
What is your occupation?
After spending most of my career in telecom and consulting, I quit a big tech company job in January ’25, and I’m currently self-employed, developing a transportation-related renewable energy business in West Africa with two business partners.
When did you join Widespread Fitness?
I did my Widespread on-ramp during the 1st half of Feb’25, and (except for work and vacation travel) I’ve been in the gym every week since then. My work trips are usually 2 weeks at a time, so I try to maintain fitness with bodyweight workouts and running while away.
Why did you decide to give Widespread Fitness a try?
“OG” Chris and I met about 15 years ago through our daughter’s soccer teams: we were parents on the same team, then co-coaches for a couple years and even worked for the same company for about 4 years. He encouraged me to give Widespread a go.
What was your athletic background before starting?
I played basketball and football through junior high, but could never put on weight, so I opted to run cross-country and track in high school as a 6’3″ 155 lb string bean ;-). When my chemistry finally kicked in during my university freshman year, I put on 30 lbs and took up rugby my sophomore year (I played lock and flanker… IYKYK), but eventually returned to running, something I began as a preteen with city-wide elementary school events. I continued with 10ks, half-marathons and a full marathon into my early 40s while also picking up trail running (which remains my most “happy place”).
What changes in your health, physique, and overall performance have you seen since starting? I can tell I’m leaning up (EPOC in action!), I’ve lost a few pounds, and I’m skiing stronger now than I was 10 years ago. I feel a lot more balanced. Over the years, I’ve had various issues with my right knee and lower back that I knew were largely due to my focus on running vs a more balanced full-body approach that comes with CrossFit. I still need to work around the arthritis in my knee and I’ve developed tendonitis in one elbow, but overall it’s been good to reduce the pounding and save the miles left in my legs for trail runs.
What advice would you give to someone with regards to starting?
CrossFit has a bad reputation in my age demographic, which I suspect is because many gyms don’t emphasize technique and/or they have high coach-to-athlete ratios. I was originally worried about hurting myself, but I’ve come to greatly appreciate how Matt (and the other coaches I’ve worked with, like Erica, Derek, and Ani) stress technique to avoid injuries, plus they always have scaling options to work around worn-out parts in older bodies like mine. So my advice would be to ask questions, learn how to perform movements properly, and don’t worry about beating anyone but yourself: you do you.
What is your favorite and least favorite exercises/movements?
I developed exercise-induced asthma after moving to high and dry Colorado in 1998, so historically I’ve avoided anything HIIT and focused on endurance activities like running and riding where I could manage the pace. Plus, I’ve never enjoyed weights. Honestly, I can’t pinpoint a most or least favorite, but I like variety, so CrossFit’s endless array of movements is great. As a data junkie, I also like how we track workout results to better understand long-term progress. At my age, I’ll never be the “strongest, fastest athlete in the gym”, but I can be a stronger, faster me, and the data tells the tale.
What is your most memorable moment so far?
Surviving the “Holleyman” and “Whitten”.
What do you like to do outside of the gym?
I enjoy being outdoors, so I aim for a gravel ride or trail run at least once a week, plus skiing in the winter. My wife also keeps our social calendar humming. The rest of my time is usually sleeping, working, hanging with friends, and planning my next work or pleasure trip.
What is your favorite “cheat” food or meal?
I don’t have a sweet tooth, and I’m not really a foodie (much to my wife’s chagrin). For me, food = fuel, and I’m not picky, but I’m a craft beer nerd, so that’s easily my cheat of choice.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
I’ve been to 32 other countries, and I’ve visited more in Africa (14) than Europe (8), Asia (6), or Central / South America (4). I have one of the old 52-page passports, and there are only 3 blank pages left. Time to renew!
Who or what inspires you the most?
This may sound corny, but Colorado inspires me. Everywhere I walk, ride, or drive, I see people out doing stuff regardless of the weather or time of day. We live in a special place that welcomes both elite athletes and one-day-at-a-time athletes like me. I’ve been all over the US, and there aren’t many other places where fitness is woven into the culture like in Colorado.
What is one goal you would like to accomplish?
Make it through 2026 with no injuries so I can exceed my Strava Active Days count from 2025.
