My girlfriend, Cami Kwan, works out at CrossFit Fort Vancouver. My senior year of high school, she told me about it and suggested I joined CrossFit Portland.

I was really nervous at first, especially because, at 17, I was the youngest one there, but I got to know all the wonderful people here and now I love it!

CrossFit has shown me that working out can be fun. It doesn’t have to be a miserable experience. Don’t get me wrong, CrossFit is wicked hard, but the people I’m with make it so enjoyable, and help push me to do my best.

Now that I do CrossFit, I feel equipped to take care of myself physically, even when I’m away from Portland.

See the aurora borealis in person!

Tall

Currently, I’m going to school near Philadelphia, at Swarthmore College. I’m studying computer science, and I work part-time at the grill in our dining hall and for the arboretum on campus.

I’m also part of a video game design club and I dabble in photography. This summer, I’ll be working as Art Director at a summer camp in California, The Lair of the Golden Bear.

Most people are surprised to learn that I was born in Juneau, Alaska! We moved to Portland when I was four.

Lucky Strike – Maroon 5

Last year at camp, I won the awards for Hardest Worker and Rookie of the Year, voted on by the rest of the staff! I was so honored to be recognized like that!

A couple years ago I was helping my brother-in-law work on my garage. The next morning after a particular strenuous day of work I was extremely sore. I figured there were a couple reasons for this.

One was most likely due to my inactivity and the other was due to the fact I’m not getting any younger. I couldn’t do anything about not getting any younger, but I knew I could do something about the inactivity – but what?

Shortly after that my daughter Hannah started doing CrossFit. She described the program in terms of it being a full body experience. She seemed to enjoy the exercises and the acquaintances she was making.

So after many months of her doing it and talking about it at home, when she headed off to college, there was a CrossFit lull in our house. I thought I needed to do something, why couldn’t I just jump in and try CrossFit?! I thought that I could quit if I didn’t like it, or if it was too hard.

I found that I do like it, and it is too hard, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I think that I am happier, perhaps, than I was in some ways. I’m being proactive in regard to my fitness and not just sitting back, like I think many folks in my age bracket do.

I’m stronger and am stalling the toll that aging takes on a body.

Play the piano – CrossFit isn’t helping with that.

“geezer” – as in “who’s that geezer picking up that weight?” or “suppose that geezer will survive the WOD?”

I have retired from work after 32 years of government service with the US Navy and the Forest Service. Fun for me is being a husband and father. I like tinkering on our Westfalia, our yard and my computer. I enjoy photography, taking and digitally processing images.

I’m not a very mysterious person. I generally wear my heart on my sleeve.

Quicksilver Messenger Service’s “Who Do You Love Suite” and “Mona” from the Happy Trails album

Each time I continue after everyone else is done and finish the WOD, that’s when I’m proudest — doing those last burpees, running that last 400 meters, or fighting those urges to stop and call it good.

And whereas it’s not necessarily MY accomplishment, I’m especially proud of my sweet, sweet daughter.

Morgan Freeman Voice: “Geology is the study of time and pressure. That’s all it takes really…pressure…and time… (Shawshank Redemption)

When we first created the 2+ year member wall, I imagined Morgan’s voice narrating about Andy Dufresne making his breakout attempt from prison.

Why would I think that?

To any Shawshank fan, the moment of Andy’s triumph is so amazing because he didn’t have extremely good luck, nor super human powers, or a flash in the pan success.

It is amazing for the opposite reasons. Andy relied on simple mundane actions, performed everyday for so many days, to come through clean on the other side.

This is what our special wall is about – persistency, consistency, and staying the course.

Our wall also is not about your fitness abilities. Although a muscle up or a 400+ deadlift are certainly impressive and should be celebrated, can you show up, put in the work, and do it for 731 days?

In the world of fitness, many can squeeze themselves into a 30-day fitness makeover. The few will go the distance and put in 731 days of thought and intention towards training and reaching their physical potential.

I am super proud of the members that have made the mark and continue on. In our world of distractions, excuses, and the new 4-minute ab zapper thingy, I am blessed to know so many that have moved on from drive-through fitness.

I am extremely excited to see so many others who are well on their way as well!

This April 2013, 3 such members have gone the distance and continue onward. I am honored to announce Jennifer Rousseau, Aaron Burt, and Eric Meltzer as the new 2+ Year Members of April 2013. Well done!

Jennifer Rousseau

Aaron Burt

Eric Meltzer

April 2013 inductees, I wish Morgan Freeman could personally induct each of you into CFPDX history…until then, close your eyes, listen to his voice, and replace Andy’s name with yours.

How were you introduced to Crossfit?

I met some people at a party who were having a “This one time, at Crossfit, I puked so HARD” conversation. I was justifiably grossed out but intrigued at the same time. Who are these people who puke for fun? They flip tires? They eat bacon? The chicks have for-reals muscles? They are not impressed that I run marathons?!!

Clearly this warranted investigation. So I looked up all the Crossfit gyms in Portland and selected the gym with the prettiest website. (Little did I know I was also choosing the gym with the prettiest coaches…) Turns out I made an excellent choice and I have not looked back.

How has CrossFit changed your life?

Other than being able to work words like “snatch” and “rack” into everyday conversation?

Participating in Crossfit has forced me to re-evaluate the way I look at fitness and how to achieve it. While I think that I will always value (and attempt to maintain) the level of constant foot moving ability required to run a marathon, I no longer view that as my ultimate fitness goal.

I am now an entirely different type of athlete with vastly different fitness goals and I have found Crossfit to be a sport much more suited to my personality than running ever was. Now, if CFPDX could just start handing me finisher medals at the end of a workout…

I have always wanted to:

A friend of mine leads guided treks to Everest Base Camp. I want to go. The only problem I see with this plan is that I do not like being cold. I also do not like going more than 24 hours without a shower.

One word people use to describe me:

Husband said “PainInMyAss”. I am going to ignore him and pick a different word. I will go with “Optimistic”. Husband calls me Polly-Anna because I can always find and – choose to focus on – the bright side of any situation. I think it is a much better option than wallowing.

What do you do for work and fun outside of Crossfit?:

I am a database administrator for the Smithsonian so I travel back and forth between Portland and DC regularly. I am also a full-time student at OSU, and I volunteer with Outside In.

As for the fun…I annoy Husband regularly, drink mangosas with friends, rock climb, talk about how I should be doing yard work, and buy more lip-gloss.

Something nobody knows about me or would be surprised to know about me

My friend Erin and I are certified ghost hunters. We have frame-quality certificates and know exactly who to call if you need a real ghost hunter. Also, unless I am using my phone, which does the work for me, I refuse to use contractions because I think that typing apostrophes is a pain in the butt.

Song that gets me pumped for a workout:

All Britney. All the time.

Proudest Accomplishment:

My life and those I share it with. I am happy, I am loved, and I love to the moon and back in return. Everything else is just shiny filler.

How were you introduced to Crossfit?

Two years ago I was training for and racing triathlons. My body hurt from all the intense endurance training so I was looking for something new to try.

I was also dating a woman who was a member of a crossfit style gym and she pushed me towards the idea to try a crossfit gym. A google search later and I was calling CFPDX to get more info.

Favorite WOD/Lift:

I have a special place in my heart for “Hockey Night.” I also like the long chipper WODs like “Good fight gone bad.”

I have always wanted to:

Skydive.

One word people use to describe me:

Thoughtful

Outside of the gym I like to:

I enjoy cooking, socializing with friends, star gazing, and long walks on the beach.

Something nobody knows about me or would be surprised to know about me

I live in a house that is over 100 years old. The original deed is dated 1893. It’s had numerous remodels of varying levels of quality, and I am currently in the process of upgrading it further.

Favorite physical activity outside of Crossfit:

Recently I have been running in some relay races like Hood to Coast. Testing my fitness in obstacle races. I also like hiking and the occasional bike ride.

Favorite place to eat in Portland:

I think Toro Bravo is amazing.

Song that gets me pumped for a workout:

songs by 3OH! 3, MIA, Goldfrapp

Proudest Accomplishment:

Getting my Journeyman Electrical license at the age of 26.