3 replies
  2. solista
    solista says:

    I’m not sure who the gray haired guy is in the pic but if I saw him on the street I would probably assume he is a father, maybe a grandfather, a professional, who knows? maybe retired, maybe he likes to drink copious amounts of beer or eat a lot or even watch a lot of tv. What I’m saying is that he looks like a pretty normal fellow BUT there is something about the snatch that makes heroes of us all, especially the power snatch. It is less technical and more primitive. It takes a visceral drive in order to be able to savor that split second of triumph. There is something surreal about standing tall with the weight of the world on your shoulders. Again, if I saw him on the streets I might expect that he goes to globo gym, reads the newspaper while riding the stationary bike on level one at 26 rpms. I wouldn’t expect him to be emulating the movements of what the best athletes in the world do to become great. Perhaps his aspirations exceed his appearance. Whatever you do, whoever you are, grab a hammer and a blow torch and go to work on your mind and body. Be the muscle car hidden in your garage. Be the secret project. Be “in training.” Go somewhere you have never been.

  3. Paul
    Paul says:

    Hello Solista, I think you are Mike from crossfit in Hell (I meant Jackson)? In some ways you hit the nail on the head – I am going to be 63 in 2 months with 5 kids and 8 or 10 grandkids (I lose track). Far from retired – family practice MD who had totally given up on life in 1997 through 2001. Then I almost died scuba diving in 10/2001 (cold immersion induced pulmonary edema). Spent 4 days on vent in ICU and heard a voice quoting Lam 3 middle of the chapter – “It is by God’s mercy we are not consumed. His lovingkindness is renewed every morning.” I found out that God still had a purpose for me being alive and I started “trying” to change – I began to look forward to playing and working and LIVING into my nineties and I wanted to be active till I die, not sitting in a wheelchair drooling in my oatmeal for the last decades of life.

    I had been 275 pounds (5′ 9″ – that’s about 110 pounds or more overweight). Had gotten down to 220# a couple years ago, learned to downhill ski, went back to scuba diving after 3 yrs off – got in about 400 dives in 2 1/2 yrs including cave certification. Got married to incredible lady 2 1/2 yrs ago and moved to where she lives in CO. She dragged me to Cross Fit 8 months ago…. I was on verge of tears every day for 2 months and every day almost walked out. Alan modified every routine for me and was totally encouraging…. Some little increment improvements, some quantum leaps. Feeling better in so many ways in life. Have been struggling trying to kind of start all over in my profession with integrative and alternative medicine. I see more truth in so many areas of life in the past few years. In my past, I was told I had heart disease when I was 5 yrs old and was never supposed to exercise. I was told 4 yrs ago that I needed total knee replacement on both sides (I didn’t do it). Whenever I pushed myself to always do more in exercise, go faster/further, lift more weight, I would quit. I would exercise to a certain level and then piddle along at that level.

    I went on gluten free (semi-paleo) diet 5 weeks ago – feel better than I have in years. Have lost about 25#, exercise is easier to do, and I recover so much faster. My attitude is better (I haven’t cried for 4 wks – kidding).

    I find cross fit so encouraging and stimulating. Everyone seems to work together and encourage each other. I look forward to workouts more than any other kind of exercise I have ever done. I find it “easy” to (almost) always try to do a better form, do more reps, do faster reps, etc. I really owe it all to Alan and Faith and Tammy, but also to all the others who show up to work out.

    Thanks, Paul

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