Vince

So this is the beginning of the story, I started doing Crossfit in July of 09. I was an alcoholic in recovery and I’d used food as a means of getting sober, this cost me an 80 lbs increase in weight, a herniated disc and what was left of my dignity. The nice thing about not having dignity is you’re not so embarrassed anymore and may be willing to try things that might otherwise be to daunting. My experience as a crossfitter is characterized by three things. The first is the unrelenting support and enthusiasm of nearly every coach and fellow cross fitters at every gym I’ve attended. I found that not only were people willing to help, they were eager to engage. I never experienced that at a Globo gym or with a personal trainer, people who go to globo gyms are there for a individual effort. In Crossfit part of the effort is the effort you put into helping others push through difficult and frequently devastating workouts. Many icy mornings I went to the gym because I did not want my friends to suffer without me. I came to 719 after 5 years at my first gym and I was a member of the tribe by my third workout and I’ve always felt a sense of accomplishment and belonging. The second thing that’s characterized my Crossfit experience is the impact of peer pressure. People who crossfit eat clean, generally don’t drink to excess and are concerned about their bodies function and fitness. It’s like your surrounded by the “good idea fairies” instead of the cupcake and scotch slinging “won’t it be fun to find out” fairies (Spoiler it’s not fun to find out) That brings me to the third thing. People who want better lives and are willing to work at it are really cool people to know.. to paraphrase a crossfit saying.. “Fit people are generally more useful and harder to kill.” these are the folks you want to hang with because they have a willingness to suffer to attain a goal and that’s a solid value to have in your pocket.