
You’re not going to see him compete in any CrossFit competitions, he doesn’t have the best back squat, you won’t ever find his name on the whiteboard, and if you’re looking for that 15 pound training barbell, he’s probably already loaded it up with every 10 pound plate in the Sweat Shop. If you don’t know who I’m talking about, its our Sweat Shop Mascot, James R. I decided to interview him because over the past year, he tried every mental approach to CrossFit that he could find and was a bit unhappy with it. However, in recent conversations with him, as well as seeing him at the Sweat Shop with a smile on his face, I asked what has changed.
What problems did you encounter when you first started CrossFitting?
So when I moved to Walnut Creek and got started at the SweatShop, it was a lot different than the Crossfit workouts James and I did at the Cal Poly track back in grad school. James never mentioned that there would be a lot of Olympic Lifting and didn’t realize how complex they were and how much I would absolutely SUCK once I started doing it. Having a swim background, I am used to doing the same thing over and over and getting better at it. But at the Sweat Shop they always mix up the routine and I never felt like I got good at anything, ESPECIALLY the Olympic lifts. But I bit my tongue and thought it would only take me a day or two to get them down, but when it didn’t happen immediately I just kind of decided it wasn’t for me and begged James to tell me the days without lifting. Being the coach he is, he never let me know and after blaming every ache and pain that I had on CrossFit, I eventually decided it wasn’t for me….I think I even blamed breaking up with my girlfriend on CrossFit.
What changed your perspective?
Well after an uncharacteristic 9-page text from James one night, I realized maybe it wasn’t CrossFit that I was mad at. I just had the wrong approach. I was always trying to do prescribed weight, I was too concerned with my results, and seeing other people do lifts and muscle ups with such ease, and focused on all the things I couldn’t do great and just got mad. But I thought about it and I wasn’t ever really trying to do things right, I just cared about how much weight I could put on. Nabil noticed this and asked what was important to me. I told him I just want a workout. After a conversation with him and and a quick anecdote, he made me realize that it’s not all about having lifted the most weight or getting my name boxed for the day. And then BAAM!, like a truck in my face, I realized I just wanted a workout and not worry about my status. We decided that I should leave my name off the board for a while to see how it went. This allowed me to focus on what I was missing out on for so long. The true gem of CrossFit….getting gradually better at everything. Not every workout was my favorite, but I understood it’s purpose in the grand scheme of things. After a couple weeks, I found myself smiling at the gym again. After that, the aches and pains were enjoyable.
How do you now approach CrossFit?
Everyone is legit. It’s such a positive environment. Everyone is supportive and no one cares how much I lift. We’re all there for the same reason, and have the goal to be healthier and get better at whatever the workout is. I enjoy supporting other Sweat Shoppers trying to reach their goals and they make me feel supported as well whether it’s do a back squat right or run as fast as I can on the first 403m of a workout. I’m so glad James and Nabil helped me realize it’s not all about the crap I thought it was.
*Don’t forget to come out and support our two Sweat Shop teams competing in the Reindeer Games tomorrow starting at 9am at CrossFit Adventure in Concord. (9am & 10am classes at the Sweat Shop as usual) Also, don’t forget to bring 5 bucks for the Sweat Shop Holiday party at Pyramid Alehouse, in Walnut Creek later that night. We will be meeting there at 6:30 pm.*
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Legitness of the Week
Deadlift x 2 PR’s
Jason 160
Julia 110
Rene 220
Tammy 230
Joel 345
Cassie 210
Admir 365
Lisa 160
Bill G-R 240
Kyle 347
Jeff 305
Ryan K 355
Dana T. 245
Boie 360
Aaron 495
Jennifer B. 145
Rikus 425
Jessica 235
Front Squat x 5 PR’s
Matt 195
Melia 95
-Patrick becomes first Sweat Shop member to compete in an Olypmic Lifting competition, and does so the day after a CrossFit Throwdown in Merced!
-Nina, Julia, Josh S.E., Lisa, Kelly, Robert F. brave the freezing cold temps and complete the Walnut Creek Half Marathon last Saturday!
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Friday’s WOD:
As many rounds as possible in 20 minutes:
5 Burpees
10 Wall Balls
20 Double Unders
*Complete (1) 403m run and (3) rope climbs before time is up*
results:
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Thursday’s WOD:
7 Squat Cleans (165#/115#)
15 Burpees
7 Squat Cleans
5 Muscle Ups (10 ring dips/10 pullups)
7 Squat Cleans
20 Box Jumps
7 Squat Cleans
2 Rope Climbs
15 Burpees
*Perform 9 Squat cleans if not using Rx’d weight*
results: