October 2026 Member of the Month: Tom Gotthold

Tom Gotthold walked into Kanna in March 2025 having never done CrossFit in his life. After a few years living in Texas and moving to the Ambler area, he’d struggled to stay accountable at more standard gyms, and his physical health had taken a backseat to career and travel for too long. So he went searching for something close to home, found Kanna, and showed up nervous but determined. By the time he was through the door, he’d already decided he was going to follow through.

A year and a half later, that decision has paid off across the board. As a Director of Supply Chain in aerospace, Tom appreciates that no two days at Kanna are the same, and that the accountability of signing up keeps him honest. He’s hitting PRs in nearly every movement, but the one he’s proudest of is kipping pull-ups, something he’d never been able to do and can now string together almost 10 at a time. Next on his list: a strict pull-up and benching his bodyweight.

A lifelong hockey player, golfer, and (fun fact) former cover band lead singer, Tom credits consistency for the positive change he feels in his daily life. We sat down with him to talk about his journey back to functional fitness, his advice for anyone new, and why he says Kanna has changed his life.

Congratulations, Tom! You’re our October Member of the Month. 🧡

Name

Tom Gotthold

Occupation

Director of Supply Chain – Aerospace

When did you start at Kanna?

March 2025

What are your favorite numbers and why?

10 – not sure why, but it was always my sports jersey number growing up

What movements do you like?

Deadlift – Bench Press – Rowing

What movements do you dislike?

Running & Lunges

What sports or fitness things did you do before Kanna?

Ice Hockey, Baseball & Soccer when I was younger. As I got older I continued playing ice hockey for a while and played beer league softball

How did you find Kanna? How did you feel when you first walked in?

I struggled with accountability with other more “standard” gyms after moving back home from a few years living in Texas. I went searching for a gym close to home and found Kanna, and decided to give it a try. I was nervous at first because i’d never done any form of crossfit in the past. but by the time i walked in the door, I was determined to follow through

What’s your “why” for working out? 

I neglected my physical health for too long due to career and travel. I wanted to focus on getting healthy again with a focus on functional fitness.

What’s your favorite thing about Kanna?

I like that no two days are exactly the same and that they include a large variety of movements. The accountability of signing up keeps me honest and the level system makes it easy to naturally find the correct intensity to reach your fitness goals without major risk to injury.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy playing golf and traveling to new places

What’s something most people don’t know about you or a fun fact?

For a couple years in my mid-twenties, My primary job was working in a cover band as a lead singer.

What PRs or accomplishments (fitness-related) are you most proud of?

Honestly, all of them. I continue to hit PRs in almost every movement. If I had to pick one, I would say kipping pullups. It’s a movement i’ve never really been able to do and can now string almost 10 together at a time.

What’s on your fitness bucket list?

I’d like to get a strict pullup and to be able to bench press my weight

What’s on your general bucket list?

I’ve always had aspirations to go into business for myself. I’d also like to break 90 playing golf.

What advice do you have for people new to Kanna?

Just show up. Focus on staying consistent and the rest will take care of itself.

Anything else you’d like to mention?

Kanna has changed my life. It takes time, and it can be difficult at times, but I can feel the positive difference that consistently working out has on my daily life.

Kanna members: The MOTM custom workout date is TBD

How does one become Member of the Month? By embodying the Kanna ideals 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!