How old/young are you?
The world of Disney magic arrived in Florida the year I was born. Eleven years later, I was able
to attend the opening of Epcot Center. Since then, I’ve enjoyed sharing these magical
experiences with my family.
What is your occupation?
A Solutions Architect
When did you join Widespread Fitness?
Nikki and I joined Widespread Fitness in July 2023, marking over a year of commitment to our
fitness journey with this community.
Why did you decide to give Widespread Fitness a try?
Our family’s involvement with Widespread Fitness began with our daughter’s teen class with
Kari. Inspired by her progress, my wife Nikki and I decided to take our fitness seriously by
enrolling in personal training sessions with Matt.
What was your athletic background before starting?
My athletic foundation was built on competitive swimming, which I pursued from an early age
through my collegiate career. After college, I explored endurance sports, participating in
triathlons and 10-mile races. These experiences helped me maintain an active lifestyle, though I
had no specific goals until 2023.
What changes in your health, physique, and overall performance have you seen since starting?
The most noticeable change has been in my physique, as I’ve dropped three waist sizes.
Additionally, I’ve experienced significant gains in lean muscle mass and cardio endurance,
allowing me to tackle more intense workouts at Widespread.
What advice would you give to someone with regards to starting?
Embrace the scalability of CrossFit. Understanding how to modify exercises to suit your current
fitness level is key. This approach, taught by the coaches at WSF, has allowed me to
progressively challenge myself and tackle more complex movements over time.
What is your favorite and least favorite exercises / movement?
My favorite movement is the power snatch. My least favorite exercise is burpees, but I do them
anyway.
What is your most memorable moment so far?
On a strength set on Oct 2nd, I hit a PR on 3 x 5 deadlifts, knowing I could build during the set
but then push further through The Bear’s Necessities. This has given me the sense that
anything can be accomplished when we focus on what is in front of us.
What do you like to do outside of the gym?
Swimming remains a central part of our family life. This summer, I completed a 105-kilometer
swimming challenge through an IMX training program. Balancing this with CrossFit has
improved my swim speed and overall endurance.
We enjoy traveling as a family. Our adventures range from driving into the Midwest or flying East
to see our extended family to exploring other parts of the US and even venturing internationally.
Family movie nights at AMC theaters are another favorite pastime.
What is your favorite “cheat” food or meal?
I try not to indulge in Halloween candy and pretzels as treats too often. For meals, homemade
pizza is our go-to. It allows us to get creative with toppings and incorporate a variety of meats
and vegetables we enjoy.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
In 1990, I attended a high-altitude training camp at the US Olympic Training Center. I was
among 30 other swimmers from around the nation to swim in the flume. Additionally, we had a
chance to swim with the East German National swimming team after unification.
Who or what inspires you the most?
My daughter, Reese, is my greatest inspiration. Since 2019, she has faced and overcome
significant adversity, showing remarkable resilience. Her unwavering dedication to her passions,
including swimming and CrossFit, despite setbacks, exemplifies steadfast perseverance and
commitment.
What is one goal you would like to accomplish?
My primary fitness goal is to improve my proficiency in kipping gymnastic movements. This
includes refining techniques for exercises like kipping pull-ups and toes-to-bar. As I progress, I
aim to build the strength and skill necessary to attempt muscle-ups eventually. These complex
movements represent an exciting challenge in my CrossFit journey, combining elements of
strength, timing, and technique.
