Height: 6’2″
Weight : 174
Career: Research Assistant at University of Colorado at Boulder
Favorite CF move: Turkish Get-up. I don’t know why but I just think they are really fun.
Most Hated CF move: Anything involving a full-depth squat! (wall ball shots, goblet squats, thrusters, etc.) I would love them if it weren’t for my serious mobility issues. I work on my mobility everyday to improve. One thing I love about CF is it forces me work on my weaknesses like this all the time. If I went to a “normal” gym I would likely avoid movements I was terrible at, but CF forces me to better myself and I love it!

How long have you been Crossfitting?

For about 5 months.

What got you into CF?

My little brother, Brandon, is going to school for exercise science and had just completed his Crossfit Level 1 certification. He developed a CF based (bodyweight only) training program to prepare me for the last race season; incorporating a lot of elements from CF endurance to build my strength on the bike. I was completely hooked and as soon as race season ended I immediately started doing CF full time.

What were your athletic endeavors prior to CF?

I did Judo on and off in middle/high school, but nothing physical whatsoever before or after that until about 3 years ago. I started biking to school and that turned into several century rides. After losing 75 lbs I felt like I was fast enough to try out racing and this past year I raced with the CU cycling team.

Any goals, athletic or otherwise, you’re working on right now?

I am currently working writing my dissertation and finishing my PhD. My athletic goals are to take first in a criterium and a road race this season and to get better at lifting. I have never done any form of lifting whatsoever until I started CF a few months ago and as such I have a ton to learn.

Give us some insight into what goes on in your life outside the gym.

Well as far as a job goes I am a PhD student at CU Boulder. So most of my day is spent thinking about Chaos theory, nonlinear time-series analysis and Information theory. When I am not nerding it up, I am training to race with the CU cycling team; either on the bike or at MBS.

Tell us about your cycling career with the CU team.

I’m entering my second race season now and it’s an absolute blast! Last year I was able to take first place in every team time trial as well as have several top 10 finishes in criteriums, road races and time trials. Last season I raced in the Beginners category as I had only been biking for a couple years but this season I plan to “cat-up” to the intermediate category. I truly believe that doing CF will be an integral part of my ability to make that transition successfully.

What’s your favorite non-paleo food?

Oh man … SOOO many, probably either burritos or cheeseburgers, but I also really enjoy chocolate.

What was your favorite toy as a kid?

Probably my Nintendo. I was a huge gamer as a kid.