I joined RedShed CrossFit in May of 2011 with the intention
of shedding a few pounds after my first couple years of playing college
football and living an unhealthy lifestyle full of pizza, beer, and easy
mac. When I stepped into the gym, I
witnessed amazing athletes lifting heavy weight and throwing themselves around
pull-up bars. It was not until I had
started this same workout did I realize what I was in for. I remember it being such a struggle that I
wanted to hang my tail between my legs and quit right there. With the encouragement of other athletes and
the amazing coaches, I was taught to push through this challenging and humbling
workout and do my very best to finish. I finally completed the workout and
experienced the most beautiful thing – everyone shaking my hand and telling me
that I did a great job. Our community that is RedShed is a group of
individuals from all walks of life coming together, going through that same
struggle, and accomplishing something that is by no means easy. CrossFit
has made us stronger through daily competition and being faced with the unknown
– not knowing how we will get through the workout, but knowing that we will
have the support system to do so. Throughout my 2+ years at the shed,
nothing has changed. Although we might
have grown and expanded into a bigger facility and have acquired many new
amazing athletes, the community has not changed one bit. I wake up every day with a smile on my face
knowing that I have a part in making someone a stronger person.
What I would tell anyone hesitant to start CrossFit is not
to be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.
You don’t have to already be fit or have any background in fitness for
that matter. But, you must have an
indomitable spirit and be willing to work hard and do your absolute best every
day you step into the gym. RedShed
consists of a strong community with amazing people of all different athletic
backgrounds, professions, ages, shapes and sizes working hard every day to
achieve greatness. The beauty of
CrossFit is that in any given workout, the person next to you is going through
the same struggles as you at that current time, and just knowing that has
helped me accomplish tenfold of what I thought was possible for myself. I am committed to helping each athlete
achieve their own personal greatness.
I became a CrossFit L1 trainer in October 2011 and have been
working towards obtaining my degree in Physical Education and Health at Kean
University where I also played college football. I have a background in almost 8 years of
strength and conditioning and personal training, and absolutely love working
with the athletes at RedShed and seeing them grow and achieve things that they never thought possible. My
ultimate goal is to introduce a life of fitness and health in everyone that
comes through the door in the safest and most effective way possible.
