A Testimonial Six Months Late
I’ve been at CrossFit Vancouver for almost ten months now and I had initially only planned on staying for the autumn months and then heading back home at Christmas, taking a ton of knowledge and experience with me. Usually at the end of a process like this you are asked to give a testimonial. I never did. So here one goes…
It’s been about a year now since I decided to come to Vancouver and start the Apprentice program. When I initially came to CFV I had no intention of sticking around, to be honest I thought I was showing up for three solid months of nothing but grueling grinders, constant strength sessions and a year round paleo challenge. I was wrong on so many levels.
I was a tunnel vision CrossFitter who was nothing more than a want to be regional competitor. As I began to shadow TBear and spend more time around the CFV crew, one thing became fairly obvious very quickly. The hard core, elite gym I thought I was arriving at was more of a country club, filled with folks who wanted nothing more than to get in a work out, maybe chat about their day with some friends and then head home to have a glass of wine… or two.
As the clock ticked on my CFV experience I began to appreciate the community more and more. I learned that people around here aren’t judged solely on their Fran time, or what their max snatch is. I know this all sounding completely cliche, but it’s true.
Ill back track a bit and here and just tell you about my life before I came to CFV.
I would wake up at 4:30, eat a paleo breakfast and pack a paleo lunch. I’d be downtown Toronto by 6:00 start work at 6:30, (I was a pipe-fitter). Leave work at 3:30, head to the gym, arrive by 5:00, workout and coach a little. Leave the gym by 8:00. Home, shower, paleo dinner, bed.
The point of this isn’t to be a sob story, the point is that I needed to slow down. I kid you not when I say I don’t think I had any “fun” in two solid years. CrossFit felt like a job but I wasn’t about to give that up, it was the only thing keeping me sane, and as far my career was going, I wasn’t happy their either.
This is what lead me to CFV. I love CrossFit and what it has taught me in the last two years, but what I learned about myself while at CFV is that I have much more to offer and much less to worry about than I realized prior to my start as apprentice.
I could go on an on about why this place is awesome and why the people are so great. Their a few people specifically who have played a huge role in turning me from a “want to be” to just me. You know who you are. Certain folks around here have gone out of their way to show me around the city, invite me in to their homes and get me out doing things that have nothing to do with CrossFit.
I came to Vancouver to learn how to be a better athlete and coach, what I’ve received is far more than that, I’ve become a better human being.
For that, I thank you all.
Tom
Warm-up:
3 Rounds:
15 GH Bridges
10 Push ups
10 Banded Side Steps each leg
Strength:
20 meter Sled Pushes: 5 ALL-OUT EFFORTS each
- There are only 2 sleds, so we’re going to have to share. Load one up with 135 lbs for men and one with 95 lbs for women. This won’t feel all that heavy but it will allow you to get some speed behind the sled
- If it’s raining, do this inside. If it’s dry, clear the parking lot of cars and do it there
Alternate Sled Pushes with:
6/6 Bulgarian Split Squats with DBs or KBs (5 sets)
Workout: Annie
50-40-30-20-10
Double Unders
Sit-Ups
Eunice and Kermit
There are no comments yet, but you can be the first
By Peacock (Landon) 26 Jun 2013
Glad you stuck around, Tommy boy
By bob b 26 Jun 2013
Hey Tom,
Aren’t you supposed to mention Emily in this post somewhere?
By Julie 26 Jun 2013
Awesome post Tom. I am glad you stuck around too :). I wouldn’t have gotten through some of those widowmaker weeks without your coaching.
By Meagan 26 Jun 2013
Aww Tom you’ve come sooo far in the past year!!
By Chesty 26 Jun 2013
Picture “Tom, hey, you, I’m gonna hug you, come here”
Big love Tommy
By Baby Nat 26 Jun 2013
hug requiring a hand-brace on the wall…..that is big love
glad you stuck around tom!
By wendy 26 Jun 2013
Tom is a great guy. Even if he has never watched Dirty Dancing
By posh 27 Jun 2013
Now you teach others – like me – how to be better humans too… and athletes, to the extent that I am one! And I think you’re a greatER guy for having never watched Dirty Dancing : )
By Woodchuck 27 Jun 2013
You’re an asset to the community Tom. Glad you stayed!
By Dashie 27 Jun 2013
Tom your an ASS!
By PUP 27 Jun 2013
Tom is the man, all business, all the the time, no bullshit!
By Jocelyne 27 Jun 2013
Our whole family loves you, Tom! You got me up the rope and a whole lot more; I appreciate your compassion and your faith in me. Thanks for your hard work and dedication to our community.
By liz 28 Jun 2013
Tom – you’re a great coach!!! insightful, patient and a great teacher! We’re lucky you came to cfv
By Venessa 01 Jul 2013
holy crap! great post Tom! I’m so glad you stayed.