Bill Casey - Athlete of the Spring
Bill Casey
2016-08-01
When did you start doing CrossFit? Why?
Historically, I’ve struggled with my weight, but I also like to be active. As time goes on, it is tougher and tougher to keep active and easier and easier to gain weight. My health concerns include high blood pressure and pre-diabetes. Last summer, my bicep tendon snapped and it had to be surgically repaired. After four months of physical therapy I was cleared to begin working out. I started with personal training with Dennis in January 2016 and made my way into a CrossFit class by March. My ultimate goal is to regain the strength in my arm while decreasing my weight and improving my overall health and mobility. So far, I’ve decreased my weight by 15%, regained my arm strength, improved my overall strength and made good strides to decrease my blood pressure and glucose levels.
Favorite WOD?
Calorie row, sit-up, box jump overs, but they all are great.
Least Favorite WOD?
Toes to bar. Burpees is a close second.
Favorite Lift?
Bench press.
Least favorite lift?
Front squat.
Best advice from a CrossFit 133 Coach?
This is a tough one. Dennis, Lou and Sam give me good advice each class to stay injury free. The single CrossFit mantra that has stuck with me is with respect to the other 23 hours of your day that you are not in the gym: eating right, proper movement, hydration, sleep, etc.
Tell us a little bit about yourself (family, job, sports, military, interests, etc.).
I married my high school sweetheart, Jen, and we have two amazing children, Liam and Emma. Like many parents, our world revolves around our kids. We are very supportive parents and encourage them to experience what life has to offer. On the work front, I’m a Project Manager for a consulting engineering firm with a degree in Civil Engineering and a Professional Engineering license. We design and help construct improvements in the water industry.
What were your thoughts after your first CrossFit workout?
This is going to be hard.
What goals are you currently working?
Maintenance. Not slipping back into bad habits.
Have you achieved any of those goals?
Ongoing.
Has CrossFit affected your life outside the Gym?
More energy, healthier lifestyle.
Do you have any other special memories/ achievements during your time here?
Mile run in 8:33, I don’t think I’ve ever done that before.
What advice would you give to a newbie just joining CrossFit 133?
Great workout with great people!
Something you might not know about me is?
I like to play racquetball, but haven’t played in forever.
Athlete of the Season
Erin Farleigh
2016-04-20
Athlete of the Winter – Erin Farleigh
When did you start doing CrossFit? Dec 2015
Favorite WOD? anything with box jumps in it
Least Favorite WOD? anything with high reps of push ups
Favorite Lift? Hang squat clean
Least favorite lift? thruster
Tell us a little bit about yourself (family, job, sports, military, interests, etc.) I’m a single mom of a sweet 9 year old (Chloe). I currently work as a PT in the hospital setting, with a special interest in neurology/neurosurgery. I’ve been a volunteer GS leader here in town for the last 4 years. I love being out on the water, and hop in my kayak/paddle boat/sailboat whenever I get a chance.
What were you doing before you started CrossFit? In the summer of 2015, I returned to running 2x/wk after a long hiatus from exercise.
What were your thoughts after your first CrossFit workout? I wasn’t sure what I had gotten myself into (ha ha).
What were your goals when joining CrossFit? attain pre-child fitness level (was pretty bad*ss back in my 20s), lose weight, prevent work-related injury
What goals are you currently working? pull ups, improving UB strength, v-ups, dubs without traveling 10′
Have you achieved any of those goals? definitely more fit
Has CrossFit affected your life outside the Gym? more energy
Do you have any other special memories/ achievements during your time here? Landing my first box jump–what a high! that box really intimidated me when I first started.
What advice would you give to a newbie just joining CrossFit 133? Stick with it; avoid comparing your performance with others in class (everyone comes in at a different fitness level, with different goals)–keep track of results on WODtogether: it’s a great objective measure of how you’re doing; know that your fellow box members truly care about you–cheer them on just as they do for you!
Something you might not know about me is? I played alto sax for 15 years; I’m a sucker for an authentic cheesesteak.