Even before we opened our doors, Brad was a rare Founding Member who didn’t already know us, but trusted us enough to join sight unseen. He came in working through a shoulder injury, but we had him scale appropriately and eventually got it back to working condition. (Listen to Brad’s podcast about overcoming injury here) As a husband, father of two boys, and working in the city, Brad makes his schedule work to get into class 4-5x/week and recently hit his 100th class overall! Brad once surpassed his own deadlift record by 60 pounds (285# to 345#), so now when anyone makes a huge personal record we say that they “pulled a Brad!”
Name
Brad
Occupation
CFO
When did you start CF?
Fall 2015
What are your favorite numbers and why?
15 and 27 – my kids’ birthdays
What CF movements do you like?
Deadlifts, pull-ups, dumbbell snatches
What CF movements do you dislike?
Overhead squats, double unders
What sports or fitness things did you do before CF?
As a kid/teen I played soccer semi-competitively, and street hockey and baseball just for fun. Towards the end of college I got into lifting with some friends, and then really into distance running as my family and career began to grow. At the time I liked the flexibility of being able to just go outside and run whenever I needed to/had time. Eventually that turned into a goal of running a marathon which I did in 2013.
How did you find CF? What was your first workout?
Two of my close friends had been doing it for a couple years and recommended it. I don’t remember the exact rounds and reps but it involved running 400 m while holding a 25 or 45 lb plate over your head, followed by push-ups or plank holds with that same plate on your back, and I think air squats.
What’s your favorite thing about CF?
I like that it forces you to challenge yourself and push through. Also each time you show up is different, so you never get bored by the same routine over and over again. Combining that with quality coaching and a really good group of people, you can take something positive away from almost every class.
What are your hobbies?
Spending time with family and friends, going to the beach, coaching tee ball, trivia, being a sports fan, reading and podcasts
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I once successfully convinced my wife that we should own a minivan.
What PRs or accomplishments are you most proud of?
Probably the first time I could string together a bunch of pull-ups.
What’s on your CF bucket list?
Do a muscle up; get better at rope climbs
What’s on your general bucket list?
Learn how to surf and snowboard. Visit Australia/New Zealand and possibly Antarctica someday. Live at the beach.
What advice do you have for new (or experienced!) CrossFitters?
I think the hardest part is convincing yourself to show up the first day. No matter what your fitness goals are, or if it’s your first day or 1,000th day, you really won’t find another place full of people that have your back and want to see you succeed. From my experience, contrary to popular perception, it’s actually one of the least intimidating spaces you can find to workout in if you give it a chance. We’re all pretty much in it together.
Anything else you’d like to mention?
EAGLES!! SUPERBOWL!!
***Kanna members: Stay tuned for Brad’s custom WOD date!***
How does one become Member of the Month? By embodying the mission of CrossFit Kanna of Learning, Working Hard, and Having Fun. By contributing to the community and supporting others in and out of the workout. By being open to coaching and improving oneself for the sake of being better, not to “win” the workout. By just generally being a good person and having a positive attitude. And a lot more, but you get the idea!