Every month we honor one athlete to recognize as Athlete of the Month. This athlete is someone that our team selects that demonstrates dedication and commitment to our community and program, and holds to our values of doing things with integrity and humility, being inclusive, and hard-working. Our selected member as our 2024 May Athlete of the Month is...
DARRELL ABNEY!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING CROSSFIT?
I've been doing CrossFit since 2019. With a few small breaks here and there. I went to my first crossfit class with my wife Claudia and we both got hooked right away.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO COME TO CROSSFIT? WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?
CrossFit does so much for me. I like the feeling of finishing a tough workout. I like the social aspect and friendly competition. I love it when I accomplish something I didn't know I could do. I remember getting my first toes-to-bar was a big deal for me.
CrossFit helps me de-stress. I like knowing that the more I workout now the better this sets me up to be healthy in my old age. I have a lot of goals. I am always working on my "big three". Currently one of my goals is to do 10 strict pull ups, then after that, a muscle up. Hector and Arvin make it look so easy :) I've gone from 1 pull up to 6 in only a few months so I'm hoping to hit 10 in July or August.
WHAT DOES CROSSFIT MEAN TO YOU?
Hmm I had to think about this one. CrossFit means challenging yourself, taking a chance. Getting out of your comfort zone. You could be at home on the couch watching Netflix but no, you drove to the gym and now you're doing burpees and sweating profusely.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE TYPES OF WORKOUTS IN CROSSFIT?
The big group and team workouts are always fun. Murph, The Open. Anytime I reach a goal is a good moment, or when I make a new friend.
COACH JUST GAVE YOU THE CONTROL FOR SPOTIFY – WHAT'S YOUR WORKOUT SONG OF CHOICE?
I listen to a little bit of everything these days but when I do heavy lifts in my garage the go-to song I blast is "Mein Teil" by Rammstein. My poor neighbors...
IF YOU COULD WRITE ANY WORKOUT, WHAT WOULD IT BE? FORMAT, REPS, LOAD, ETC.?
4 Rounds For Time:
250m/200m Row
12 Wall Ball 20/14 to 10ft/9ft
5 Deadlift
8 Dumbbell Strict Press 50s/35s
Rest 1:00 between rounds.
HOW HAS CROSSFIT AFFECTED YOUR LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE GYM?
There is life outside the gym? Just kidding. Working out at CrossFit makes me want to eat better, why waste that workout right? So I have lost some weight since I started. I just feel better. I'm a coffee addict so first I went to half sweet lattes and now no sugar, and I don't miss it. CrossFit gives me confidence to know if I had to respond to some physical situation, I'm in a much better position to do so than if I was out of shape.
Oh and picking up those big amazon deliveries from my porch, so much easier when I've been front and back squatting consistently.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A NEWBIE JOINING CROSSFIT KAKOU?
Just show up consistently and the rest will take care of itself. Don't feel bad if you can't do certain things. We all have our strengths and weaknesses.
For example, it took me a while to learn snatches and I'm still not that great at them.Take advantage of the great coaches and ask them lots of questions. Set a goal and track your progress. Do a few extra reps after class. Eat more protein.
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