13 years… wait, what?

Certainly not the only man in the world who turned 50 this year, or any year I have been alive for that matter!  

And certainly, I am not the only 50yr old at the shed, or in the fitness community/industry… so writing this piece has me feeling like a fence-sitter!  This gym and this community isn't about me… I just happened to have the idea to make it happen, and the rest was up to each of you.

Turning 50 had me feeling melancholy… a ton of reflection… introspective.  Sometimes when you hit a milestone, you just start to look at your life, and how you got here.

On Christmas weekend, I received many birthday wishes and heart-felt messages… some of which brought me to tears.  I think when I am engrossed in the daily grind, I lose sight of the impact of the mission.  Long story short here… I don't expect to be held in a higher regard because I started the gym, and I never expect to be loved because I know I am a difficult person to love (because I am so moody!!).  But dammit if I didn't feel tons of love this year, and especially this Christmas weekend!  I truly appreciate the appreciation… but again, I feel like I am just an average guy who had a good idea and has been surrounded by amazing people to see that idea come to fruition.

13 years in business… this is another milestone I never thought about.  I feel like a CrossFit dinosaur sometimes!  I have just seen a lot happen in this industry, and in the CrossFit community.  We have had the ability to evolve and remain relevant.  Many other affiliates have come and gone since the days of the original RedShed Garage Gym!  Again, this is because of each of you, and the trust you have in me, Shawn and our wonderful coaches.

In those 13 years, I have had to be a strength & conditioning coach… a mentor… a psychologist… a janitor… a teacher… a father figure… a friend… a shoulder to cry on… and a body to hug.  Truthfully, as a student at ESU studying exercise science, I never EVER thought about having to wear all of those hats!  I was just a fitness junkie who was enamored by the science of it!!

I have made some of you cry, and I am sorry for that.  Some of you have made me cry, but I am not looking for any apologies!

It's been 13 years… we have a gym full of old school OG's, and plenty of new faces… a perfect mix!  It's what makes the shed the unique place it is… where all the magic happens!

 

For all of you who are new to the shed… or may not know me because I mostly coach in the morning… let me explain something to you…

Our average age at the shed is about 40…

We experience very few injuries, if any, directly associated with the training we program…

Our programming is designed for YOU to get the most out of what is written based on where you are at RIGHT NOW…

Longevity is our mission, for you to be able train daily and allow your training to enhance your life outside of the gym.

In my 49th year of life, and 14th year of CrossFitting… I completed my first sprint triathlon, and ran my first trail half marathon.  I am not a competitive CrossFit athlete (nor was I ever), but my training allows me to pursue other avenues of fitness that I find very appealing and gratifying.  My Strava is filled with endeavors from Concept 2 events to hiking, biking, mountain biking, trail running, swimming (pool and open water) and Stand Up Paddle Boarding.  

There was a time when none of those things appealed to me… because all that mattered was what I did in the gym.  Then I grew up a little and realized that my focus was a bit skewed.  The gym is still very important to me, as is what I do in it… but the past 13 years have allowed me the luxury to experiment on myself to figure out what will be best for each of you, so you can survive to train another day, and still enjoy activities outside of the gym.

Remember something as I pack up this post… Fitness is Free!  You can get fit anywhere, and in countless ways… just depends on you!!  What you pay for is guidance, experience and trust (not to mention some cool equipment!!)  I don't know all of the answers, nor will I claim to… but I have been around a long time, and made a ton of mistakes along the way… and if I don't know the answer, I will figure it out somehow, or be honest and tell you I just don't know!

Here we are, in our 13th year… and I am still amazed everyday by what each of you accomplish in and out of the gym!

All I can say here is "thanks"… you will never know the amount of gratitude I feel when I see your names on the Zen Planner class lists every day!  This gym, this career… it's been a true blessing, and I am fortunate to be surrounded by such incredible people every day… Thank you!!

 

Yours In Fitness,

Coach Pat (CPJ)