3/26 Transformation Tuesday

Brian Flikkema, Why do You Do CrossFit?

What was your fitness, CrossFit, or yoga "life" like before you started training with True Spirit CrossFit & Yoga. 
I had no idea about CrossFit, besides only crazy people did it. My fitness journey had only just begun. For all of my life I hated sports and fitness. If I needed to go more than a block, I drove. But then life gave me a little lesson that time can't be taken for granted. So I decided I needed to start hiking everywhere I could before life would take away the option. Then I realized I couldn't get as far as I wanted to so I started running. That was all in the two years prior to joining TSCF.

What brought you to True Spirit CrossFit & Yoga in the first place?
For me it was an honest chance of luck. My friend Skip had been trying to get me to come for a long time. I probably never would have walked through the door except I won a free Foundations class Leslie donated to a local non-profit. It's probably the only reason I ever gave it a try, and I have never looked back

What was your first impression? Has that changed?
At first, I thought you were all crazy. I couldn't do a pushup or a pull-up, so I didn't think I would ever be able to keep up. I remember watching what everyone else was doing, and getting frustrated, even wanting to give up. Has it changed? Absolutely. Now I know we are all crazy! And I know now that everyone can keep up. Truly the only person you are "competing" with is yourself. Everyone else is just motivation to push past what you did before.

What was the first thing fun or positive thing you experienced while training with us? 
There have been so many, I'm not sure I could point to one thing. The first Murph, the first time I Rx'd a workout. The motivation and training of the coaches. That first bar muscle up. Oh, and looking in the mirror or comparing before and after photos. It's subtle at first, but give it time and effort and the change can be dramatic!

Are you working on any special CrossFit related skill now?
The main skills I am working on are muscle ups and double unders. But for the summer my #1 goal will be running, and more running.

How has your life changed since training with TSCF? 
It's a night and day difference. Most importantly, I'm more confident in my own body. It's helped me reduce my stress, helped me gain a healthier life balance, and has helped relax my anxiety and depression. Oh, and I sleep better too. Fitness wise there is no comparison. The fact my running speed increased by over a 2 minute mile just by adding CrossFit is a perfect example.

What's your favorite True Spirit CrossFit memory?
Well, my memory sucks and there are so many to sift through over the last two year. I think most recently it would be between volunteering at the Festuvus games, or one of the larger events like baseline or Murph. Those just add that little extra on top to make it extra special.

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