Andrew joined us in Nov. 2019 starting with our Base Camp onboarding and then group classes a few days per week. As 2020 rolled around and everyone had to figure out new ways of doing things, he pivoted to a combination of personal training and remote programming to keep up with his fitness. Eventually, he came back to group training and now his wife has become a Kanna member after having their second child. All the while, we’re proud of Andrew’s resilience, willingness to be coached, and quiet determination to work hard. Congrats, Andrew!
Name
Andrew Dahlgren
Occupation
Industrial Designer / Program Director for Urban Manufacturing Alliance
When did you start at Kanna?
Winter 2019? My daughter Irene was born in September 2019 and it was a couple months after.
What are your favorite numbers and why?
10. Both my daughters were born on the 10th day of different months. 5. My birthday is in May.
What movements do you like?
Running. Barbell complex (for example, dead lift + power cleans + hang power cleans + clean + squat etc.). Kipping pull ups. Bar muscle ups (when I can do them)
What movements do you dislike?
Rowing and Biking
What sports or fitness things did you do before Kanna?
I used to cycle a lot in high school and I ran track and cross country. I played ultimate frisbee on and off in college and grad school. In 2016 I started doing obstacle course races / Spartan races.
How did you find Kanna? How did you feel when you first walked in?
I searched for CrossFit gyms near me. I can’t remember my first work out.
What’s your “why” for working out?
Being able to play with my kids and do all the things they want me to do, play tag, crawl on the floor, pick them up, climb on monkey bars, etc. Staying healthy for my family.
What’s your favorite thing about Kanna?
The coaches and their ability to tune workouts to people’s capabilities.
What are your hobbies?
I make things like furniture and toys for the kids. I’ve gotten into origami recently.
What’s something most people don’t know about you or a fun fact?
I did a 30 mile obstacle course race. I have taught industrial design, architecture, product design for 15+ years at universities and colleges in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City. I did a TEDx Philadelphia talk in 2014. I know how to knit and crochet and using knitting machines. Check out my very out of date website : www.andrew-dahlgren.com
What PRs or accomplishments (fitness-related) are you most proud of?
Doing obstacle course races and completing all the obstacles. Doing a bar muscle up.
What’s on your fitness bucket list?
Get back into cycling.
What’s on your general bucket list?
Travel with my kids and learn Spanish.
What advice do you have for people new to Kanna?
Commit to a couple months before deciding if CrossFit is working or not. It can be hard to build routines and you might be discouraged from being sore after the first workouts but after just a few classes you can see changes and improvements. Change doesn’t happen overnight but it also doesn’t take years.
Anything else you’d like to mention?
Thanks for all the support!
***Kanna members: The MOTM custom workout is going to be Tuesday 4/16***
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!Post navigation