- What was life like before you became a member?
I joined KCF in September 2024, just as I was wrapping up what I’d call a year focused on self-growth, family, and meaningful relationships. After a challenging 2023 personally, I kicked off the year by embarking on my MBA journey in January. In April, I challenged myself further by joining an adult hockey league, despite being a beginner (I could barely skate at the time!). By the time I joined KCF, I had also been fortunate to advance in my professional career, which brought added responsibilities, commitment, and of course, mental strain. Becoming part of KCF was the perfect final touch, rounding out my 2024 and making it a truly successful year.
- At the time you enrolled, were you already exercising? What was your previous background in fitness?
I’ve always been active, whether it was playing sports in high school, transitioning to beer leagues, hiking with my dog, or hitting the gym. Growing up, I played sports year-round, and in high school, we began hitting the weight room during and after the seasons. That’s where I first learned the fundamentals of weightlifting and developed a genuine passion for it. Since then, weightlifting has been a consistent part of my lifestyle.
- What originally prompted you to seek us out?
It’s funny because, as a “gym bro,” I always thought CrossFit was overrated. I had a few friends involved in it, but at the time, I just wasn’t impressed. I couldn’t have been more wrong. During COVID, I built a fully-equipped home gym in my basement, thinking it would be enough to get the results I wanted. But I found myself struggling to stay focused, push my limits, and feeling a real lack of competition. So, I started exploring other options like MMA, boxing, and personal training, until I discovered Keystone CrossFit. I visited the gym, had a meeting with Tim, and signed up on the spot.
- What was your goal when you originally signed up?
When I signed up, my goal was simple: to improve both physically and mentally. After a long day at work, I wanted a space where I could unplug, put my phone away, and burn off the stress. At the same time, I craved accountability. When I first met Coach Tim, I told him that 2025 would be the year I get in the best shape of my life, and he’s been holding me to that ever since. Initially, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it didn’t take long before I was improving on the movements, thriving off the competition, and truly enjoying the positive, motivating environment.
- What have you liked best about working with us?
Keystone CrossFit truly embodies everything CrossFit would want from its affiliates. The members are fantastic and make you feel like part of one big family the moment you walk through the door. Tim is an outstanding owner and coach, and his entire team of coaches is equally incredible—highly skilled and knowledgeable. Each coach excels at not only teaching the workouts and movements but, most importantly, ensuring that we can perform them safely and at a scale that minimizes the risk of injury.
6. What are you most proud of achieving since you started?
While I’m proud of the movements and lifts I’ve mastered, what I’m most proud of is the way CrossFit has boosted my mental health. It’s the one hour each day where I can throw weights around, connect with an incredible group of people, and truly challenge myself physically. That mental break during this hour has a profound impact on my personal and professional life, empowering me to show up as my best self.
7. With everything that you have accomplished, has your view of yourself changed?
When I first started CrossFit, I felt like I could barely perform any of the movements. However, in just a few months, I learned the fundamentals and proper lifting techniques, and I made progress with each workout. As my own biggest critic, I was definitely frustrated at first, especially when I struggled with certain movements. I had honestly thought I was in better shape than I was. But like anything, with commitment and drive, I’ve made steady improvements over the last six months. Now, I’m finally starting to feel like the athlete I know I can be.
8. What would you say to anyone else who might be dealing with any similar struggles you did?
This is a perfect question for one of my favorite quotes by Bruce Lee:
“Because you might as well be dead. Seriously, if you always put limits on what you can do, physical or anything else, it’ll spread over into the rest of your life. It’ll spread into your work, into your morality, into your entire being. There are no limits. There are plateaus, but you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. If it kills you, it kills you. A man must constantly exceed his level.”
Surround yourself around good people and push yourself. Join a community group, a book club, hockey league, volunteer at an animal shelter, or better yet, join Keystone CrossFit.
9. Do you have any special moments/memories?
The best part about the family-like atmosphere in CrossFit is that you get to share in everyone else’s success. Some of the most memorable moments are when we’re all cheering someone on to hit a PR or when they cross off a goal they set at the start of the year on the chalkboard. But one of my favorite memories was the Holiday Throwdown when Nate and I were partners and we placed 2nd overall. The highlight was during power cleans when I got to witness Nate transform into the Incredible Hulk right before everyone’s eyes and smash a crazy PR, which helped us win that one event. It was like watching a superhero in real life—no capes, just barbells!
10. What is your favorite movement/lift?
Top 5 Movements:
- Deadlifts
- Bench Press
- Power Clean
- Rope Climbs
- Push Press
