CrossFit-Springfield

July/August CrossFit Springfield Athlete Spotlight: Dave Beebe

My name is Dave Beebe.  I am 39 years old from Nixa.  I am married to my beautiful wife Stephanie and have three awesome boys Maverick (2), Jack (11), and Wyatt (14).  I have many hobbies including wakeboarding, snow skiing, four wheelers and now Crossfit.  I am co-owner of Stoneridge Flooring Design in Nixa, Branson, and Branson West.  I am part of the 5am and 6am crews at Crossfit Springfield.

My Crossfit story is like many others.  I was a small college football player who could never find the “fitness thing” that would stick after football.  I was introduced to Crossfit by Chance Potts thru Denny Routh in August of 2009.  Denny went to the newbie class first and immediately called me to tell me he had found what we have been looking for.  I went to the Newbie class and met this guy with a mohawk with an incredible passion for this thing called Crossift.  I was hooked when he gave us some line about being chased by a lion at the Zoo.  I immediately started attending the 5am class with Brian. 

After the first 2 weeks my wife questioned if I was going to survive my new workout.  I of course reminded her I was an ex-athlete and could handle this no problem.  Keep in mind her questioning was probably appropriate since I was tipping the scales around 285 and was in horrible shape.  I stuck with it and fought my way thru all the soreness and have become a Crossfit addict.  I remember the second wod I ever did had 20 pull-ups in it and I couldn’t complete them even using the big grey band.  The same wod had burpees at the end and Brian literally had to will me thru them, all five!  Fast forward almost a year of doing Crossfit at least 3 times per week and I did a wod the other day with 60 pull-ups and 50 burpees and completed it Rx.  I now tip the scale around 240 and working on losing more. 

I truly am addicted to Crossfit.  My wife and kids make fun of me for checking the wod and reading the blog every night even if I’m not planning on going the next day. My fourteen year old thinks it’s hilarious I have CFS as my homepage on my laptop. I am addicted to it because it has changed the outlook of my forties.   I know because of CFS I will be able to do all my hobbies and keep up with my kids no problem.  I get asked regularly how I have lost weight and I am quick to give them my entire Crossfit spiel.  Mostly they look at me in disbelief but some have come to join us.

I have met many great people at Crossfit-Springfield and enjoy the challenge everyday.  Thanks to the Owners and Trainers for all of their dedication that helps make CFS a life changing experience.

May/June CrossFit Springfield Athlete Spotlight: Ronna Heppner

My name is Ronna Heppner.  I have been married to my husband Brian for 12 years and have been blessed with 3 beautiful children:  Eden 9, Dawson 6, and Weston 3.  I am a nurse & work at Cox Labor & Delivery.   I generally attend the noon class but occasionally hit the 9 am or the 5 pm.  I also love Melissa skills class but with my work schedule it is pretty hit and miss on when I can attend.

I was introduced to Crossfit by my husband when he started training for the Firefighter’s Challenge that occured in November 2009.  In fact, the first time I set foot inside the box was for the Challenge.  I screamed my heart out that night.  Then I stalked the web site checking out the WOD each day (I think I went back and read the entire site from the beginning to end) and watched any videos posted.  I finally decided to go to the Newbie class the Monday before Thanksgiving.  Brian and I started the next week on December 1st and I have really never looked back.  That in itself is really an accomplishment for me.  I tend to have the attention span of a 2 year old and my husband is convinced that I have ADD.   Before Crossfit, I really hadn’t been in any organized work out program since high school and college softball (and that was a really long time ago).  I had tried circuit type work outs at home, but I would last a week or two at the most.  I really am not a self motivated person and that is still something I continually struggle with, but there is something about Crossfit.  Of course that something is the atmosphere the trainers provide each and every day.  They tend to know when you are at your best and will cheer you on.  They will not give up on you even when you want to give up on yourself.  They truly inspire the “Learn To Never Quit.” 

 Crossfit has changed my life and at 37 years old, I am in the best shape ever.  I work the overnight shift 2 nights a week at the hospital so my energy level most of the time was nil to none before Crossfit.   I could easily lay down at 1 pm and sleep until 4 pm even when I slept the whole night before. However, since Crossfit, my energy level is through the roof.  I rarely can even take naps during the day before I have to work that night.  I try, but can only sleep 15-30 min.  To say that I can’t get enough of Crossfit it an understatement.  I have even been known to get up for the noon class after working the night before, which means I go to bed around 8 am and get up at 11:15 to make it to class.  I joke that noon is my 5 am class!! 

I love all the accomplishments I have made and there are way too many to list, however, I am most excited about my pull-ups.  My favorite WOD of all time is of course Dodgeball!!!  (which we don’t get to do nearly enough)  I also really like strength days.  The first strength day I went to was deadlifts.  Poor Grant was the trainer that day and at one point we were both frustrated.  I was having trouble getting the movement down and he was frustrated b/c he felt he wasn’t explaining it so that I could get it.  Anyway, I ended up lifting 175 lbs. (with proper form I might add) and have been hooked ever since.  I also like any WOD where you can see that Crossfit is indeed making a difference like Fight Gone Bad or Fran.  I haven’t yet caught the rowing bug (sorry Jessi), but I have a feeling that it will happen one of these days.  I love Crossfit and each day I can’t wait to see what I can accomplish next.

March/April CrossFit Springfield Athlete Spotlight: Paul Satterwhite

My name is Paul Satterwhite.  I am a labor and employment attorney at a local firm and a regular attendee of Coach B’s 5 a.m. class.  I sometimes venture out to the 12 p.m. and 5/6 p.m. classes, but I have been a member of the 5 a.m. crew for the past 12 months.
 
I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with “the gym.”  I’ve gone through periods where I really enjoyed working out and where I have been active in recreational team sports, running, and weightlifting, and I have had many other periods of inactivity.  A few years ago at the local Y, I started taking spinning and then boot camp with Jessi Neal (now Grove) and had my introduction in boot camp runs up the soccer field hills to the amazing speed of Macy Mitchell.  Then my wife and I had our second baby, I had a few health setbacks, and I was sedentary and did not exercise for approximately 8 months.  My weight ballooned 30 lbs to 275 and I was in terrible shape.  I knew it, my wife knew it, and I think even my two year old knew it.  I knew I needed to make some changes but I didn’t know how to do it.
 
Everything changed for me in early 2009 and it was all because of Crossfit Springfield.   I ran into Macy Mitchell at the Turkey Trot in November, 2008 (Don’t get confused — I wasn’t running, I was pushing my children in a stroller to watch their mom run).  He was wearing a Crossfit Springfield shirt and told me I should come in and check it out.  After a few calls with Jessi, I signed up for boot camp in January 2009.  When I started, I couldn’t do a single sit up.  I still remember Jessi pushing me through crunches while everyone else was doing sit ups.  But the rest is history.  I’ve lost 35 pounds of weight and have redistributed much of the rest.  I can truly say that at 35, I am the strongest I have ever been in my life, including when I was playing high level high school football.  I recently lifted 225 lbs over my head three times, and as recently as 14 months ago, I wouldn’t have tried to lift 135 lbs over my head.  I have run several 5ks and have set PRs without training specifically for the runs.  I’ve taken sprint classes, row classes, and participated in several challenges.  I’ve seen muscles appear on my body that I haven’t seen since I was 19.  Best of all, I have become a Crossfit addict.  My family, my colleagues, and even random people who I meet would attest to my addiction.  Crossfit Springfield is not a gym, it has become a key component of my life.  And many of the people I have gotten to know over the past year plus are like family.  I haven’t written a testimonial yet because I still consider myself to be a “work in progress.”  I hope to be a work in progress for the rest of my life.
 
Thanks to Jessi, Coach B, Jeremy and all of the trainers and crossfitters who have helped me transform over the past 14 months.

FEBRUARY CrossFit Springfield Athlete Spotlight: George and Joey Hay

George Hay

I am from Springfield and I have no background in organized sports. Golf is about as strenuous as I’m comfortable with. I lifted with a group of guys in my mid-thirties to mid forties, but once that gym closed we each went our own way. I bought a set of weights, put them in my basement, used them for a couple of years and felt guilty every time I passed them for the last decade.

Our son and daughter-in-law have given us four of the most precious and–exceptional in every way– grandchildren. Since they returned to Springfield, we are involved on a daily basis in their lives. It quickly became apparent to us that we weren’t strong enough to maintain their pace. Drat! I needed to lose weight and get in shape! I started riding bicycles, but it didn’t do anything for my strength.

I was introduced to CrossFit by our daughter Kathryn, who convinced me to try it. One newbie class and I was a deer in the headlights. I was convinced this would work, but I’m old enough that I was concerned about my body’s ability to recover in less than a week.   After 3 months, I have dropped 20 lbs, gained strength, and look forward to most everything—except burpies.

Joey Hay

Kat is such an avid fan of Cross Fit and then when George got going—they started working on me!  I was totally intimidated by everyone’s youth and fitness.  I grew up in an active, athletic family and had done various programs like Pilates and aerobics over the years.  But I had just accepted getting older and that I’d never be in really good shape. I am the Women’s Pastor at Hope Community Church and love to do mission trips.  With 4 sweet grandbabies and a great husband—my best years are now.  My goal is no longer to wear a certain size, but to gain strength, endurance, and flexibility.

Everyone at Cross Fit has been amazing!!  The trainers are all so encouraging, professional, and supportive!  I’ve been going almost 2 months and feel a huge difference—oh yeah, that would be soreness!  Whatever your age or fitness level, Cross Fit is for you.  I feel like one of the gang—and I’m almost 60!

JANUARY CrossFit Springfield Athlete Spotlight: David Helfrecht

Hello my name is David Helfrecht, and I’m from the evening crew. I joined Cross Fit the last part of June, and it has absolutely changed my life.

My wife Leslie and I have been married for three years, and we recently had the cutest little baby girl Harper.As happens to a lot of Americans you get married, have kids, turn 30, and oops you’re suddenly in the worst shape of your life. You go to the Doctor for your annual exam, and he informs you that you have high blood pressure, cholesterol, and he says “you’re also pretty FAT.”

Growing up I was very active in sports, which later translated into working out consistently. I had always been in very good shape, but the last four years I had gradually let that part of my life go. I tried more than a couple times to get back in the gym, but always failed. The New Year’s resolutions didn’t work neither did the membership to the “Y”, and the get ripped in 90 days videos never made it out of the box.

I had almost accepted the fact that this is my life, and that I needed to accept it. Then I heard about Cross Fit Springfield.

After calling Jeremy three or four times inquiring about Cross Fit I finally worked up enough courage to make it to my first W.O.D. The workout that day was something like; perform as many rounds as possible in 20 minutes. I made it almost 3 ½ minutes, and had to quit. I was hooked.

I couldn’t wait to come back, and try it again. Those first couple weeks were tough, as I just tried to complete the workouts. I then started working on my form, and gradually added weight to the movements. Next thing you know I was doing the WOD’s RXD, and competing against the clock. I even had the opportunity to compete in the HOA challenge in November.

Now it’s 2010, and I don’t have to set an unattainable new year’s resolution. Cross Fit is already a part of my weekly routine, and will always be a part of my life. I’m so thankful for the system, coaches, and the Cross Fit Springfield community. You have given me the opportunity to have a healthier lifestyle, and be a better father, husband, and son. Thanks.

3,2,1, go………..

DECEMBER CrossFit Springfield Athlete Spotlight: Jennifer Johnson

Marathoner, triathlete, adventure racer….oh yeah, I THOUGHT that I was a pretty fit person. THEN I met Tina one bright and early Saturday morning. The next day I could barely move and wondered how could I have been in this bad of shape and the workout was only 15 minutes!!! I had just run a marathon less than a week ago and now I can’t decide if I want to just stand all day or try to sit.

I have only been at Cross Fit for 1 month but have absolutely loved it!!! I am a successful professional single mother of 2 princesses and 2 dogs. I have little time so this gym enticed me because the workouts were 1 hour or less. I bring my girls along to watch me workout in hopes that one day, fitness will be just as important in their lives as it is in mine (plus they have to go with me since they can’t stay at home alone). Since I try to live by the teachings of Jesus, the bible specifically states that you are to take care of your body, I have found that Cross fit has helped me achieve this goal. Although I haven’t found anything in the bible that mentions burpies.

As for what I like to do in my spare time…..go to Crossfit! I also enjoy outdoor stuff….hiking, biking, climbing, traveling, and being a mom (my favorite job). I love to travel!!! I have lived all over the world and have somehow ended up here in Springfield, Missouri. Will I stay here, I have no I idea. You never know what tomorrow will bring (another burpie maybe!)!

Thank-you to all the staff at Cross fit, you guys are amazing! I have never felt more fit and strong in my life!! I only hope that being here will improve my pr race times and continue to help me grow as an athlete. As for being the spotlight I am honored and surprised as I haven’t been here for very long and usually hide out in the back behind everyone!! I admire all of you that work so hard at staying fit. In fact, I tell all of my friends and coworkers that I enjoy coming to Cross fit because everyone seems so focused on becoming and staying fit. Thanks for providing an atmosphere that is not only enjoyable but challenging and encouraging!!

NOVEMBER CrossFit Springfield Athlete Spotlight: Dr. Thomas aka “Dr. T”

 

I am originally from a country called malaysia but have lived in the US now for 30 years. I grew up in Topeka, Kansas and have 2 brothers and a sister. People at crossfit know me as Dr.T. I  live in the town of ozark and have been in this area for 12 years. I simply love this area and can’t see myself living anywhere else.  

OCTOBER CrossFit Springfield Athlete Spotlight: Heather Worthy

My Name is Heather Worthy from the 5am bunch.  My husband and I are the parents of two of the best kids God ever put on this earth.  Mikey is 4 and Lillian will be 2 this month.

In my younger years I was a gymnast, a martial artist, a rock climber, springboard diver and cheerleader.  Being active was something that was part of my daily routine.  In fact, most nights involved driving from practice to another from the time I was two until I graduated High School.   I married my high school sweet heart and we started our family. 

During my first pregnancy, I gained a SUBSTANTIAL amount of wight.  By time we were ready to start for baby number two, the aspirations of having my “cheer leading body” back were null and void.  There just wasn’t any time to workout…from feedings, to work, playtime, dinner, housework…in order to workout, I needed another eight hours in a day,  one to workout and seven to actually get some sleep.  I wasn’t comfortable with the way I looked or felt for that matter, but I had started to accept that this was going to be “the new me” for the next 3 years (that’s when both kiddos will be in school)……until 3 months ago.

My Cross-fit introduction started pretty randomly  when I had a chance run-in with the lovely Jenny Mhire.   We knew each other in High School and hadn’t really seen each other since, but she looked EXACTLY the same as she did when we cheered together.  Of course, I wanted to know what she was doing to look so dang hot….hence 5am Cross-Fit.

THIS CLASS HAS CHANGED MY LIFE!!  The first 3 days my husband (and my kids) had thought I went off the deep end.  I couldn’t walk, couldn’t lift my kids, BUT it was the best pain I have had since childbirth!  I knew that my body was shocked.  I knew it had it’s first wake-up call in 5 years and just didn’t know how to handle it. 

Brian, is one of the best coaches I have ever had.  He teaches form and pushes me to my limit.  Not to mention, the crew we have at 5!  THE BEST motivators EVER.  The beauty of Cross-Fit is the diversity in the people who attend.  We all have different physical backgrounds, body types and ages, but we all meet up at 5am to encourage eachother to get through the same workout.  It doesn’t matter if you have been going for 2 years or 2 days, you feel included because of that commonality.

My initial intention was to only do 2 classes a week and substitute my “off days” with workouts I did on my own.  Two days just wasn’t enough.  For now, Mon, Wed, Fri you’ll find me stumbling in around 5:00……or 5:03am…hopefully, I will be able to increase my attendance to 5 days a week in the near future.  My body craves cross-fit classes now and have more energy than I did before I had kids.  I have a long way to go to reach my weight-loss goals, but to have that feeling back…that feeling that you are pushing yourself toward betterment…it’s awesome!

The bottom line is, you just have to MAKE TIME for yourself.  All you mom’s out there….MAKE TIME.  Of course you will benefit from improving yourself, but so will your kids.  ……3-2-1-GO!!!!!!!

SEPTEMBER CrossFit Springfield Athlete Spotlight: Canyon Moody

My name is Canyon Moody and nearly a year ago my friend Tommy invited me to workout with him at CrossFit Springfield. Having worked out for several years prior, doing everything from martial arts to weight lifting, I thought I was in pretty good shape. Looking at the wall at “The Ninja Mile,” my initial thought was, “Is that it?” One hour and forty-five minutes later I was watching Tim laugh as I used certain language in his general direction. 

A few days later when I regained the ability to walk, I joined CrossFit Springfield. There were times during the early days of CFS that Tommy and I were the only ones working out and it has been a huge pleasure to watch as CrossFit Springfield has grown and expanded into what it is today.

Now, Mandy, my wife, works out with me nearly five times a week and routinely beats my times. But as everyone says, CrossFit is more than the workouts, CrossFit is about the friends that we have made and it is about the encouragement that is given and received.

Still, my favorite workout is “The Ninja Mile,” my least favorite exercise is Thrusters, and my favorite exercise would be pull-ups because prior to Crossfit, I couldn’t do them.

AUGUST CrossFit Springfield Athlete Spotlight: Mary Rogers

My name is Mary Michal Rogers, and I started working out with the PM crew back in March.  My sister Meggin dragged me in, and I haven’t been able to keep myself away since.  I’ve been working out for a long time, but four and a half months of CrossFit have made me stronger than I ever thought I’d be.  It’s pushed me to the edge of breaking and made me understand I’m capable of going way beyond that.  I’ve also found a community of people that love this as much as I do; the people here are such a huge part of what makes every excruciating WOD so worth it. There’s something so supportive and inspiring about a group that is willing to come in and not only push themselves, but their fellow members.  And CrossFit trainers…you guys are the COOLEST, no matter what I yell after umpteen rounds of pullups.  

 I’ve been married for five incredible years to my husband, Patrick, who’s been powerlifting for about four years.  I never really had a comparison point for the weight he was putting up until I did my first deadlift/back squat/bench press; now I get it.  We live in and are renovating an old farmhouse in the middle of nowhere in Willard, and it’s the main reason Saturday WODs are a luxury for me right now. 

 I hope to keep up with CrossFit for a very long time to come.  I don’t know what I’d do without it!

JULY CrossFit Springfield Member Spotlight: Cale “The Quiet Riot” Garrett

I‘m Cale Garrett from the 5am crew.I am married to my beautiful wife Connie and have two girls who will be future crossfitters. Shea who is six and Ryan who is three.
    I have lifted weights since my early twenties and at age 32, after starting crossfit, I think I would crush my old self. I started crossfit 6 months ago with my friend Carey, and it has been an addiction ever since. I like to think of crossfit as the mixed martial arts of fitness. Instead of focusing on one aspect of training you become well rounded at all of them. Exercises for strength,power, speed and endurance are incorporated into just about every WOD.
    I really enjoy the wonderful people and great trainers that suffer through the workouts with me. Whenever I’m doing a tough workout and just want to quit I look up and see everyone else grinding though and shouting encouragement and it keeps me going. Crossfit has taken my mental toughness to a whole new level.
    As for my favorite exercises I like deadlifts, anything on the rings, and have enjoyed learning the olympic lifts. My least favorite are running and overhead lunges.
    My long term goals are to keep improving my strength and endurance and it would be nice to finish a WOD before Charity once in awhile.

JUNE 2009 CrossFit Springfield Member Spotlight: Adam Geary

 

I’m Adam Geary, I am married to my wonderful wife Ashley (also a Crossfit Nut!) and I have a 14 month old son Caden, if you work out on the night crew then he’s the one that’s usually crying at the door to the ‘kids room’! I have been doing Crossfit since July of 08, back when there were just a few of us and the space to workout in was about the size of a closet!  I’m so proud of the growth of Crossfit-Springfield in such a short amount of time!  It’s a tribute to everyone involved from the excellent trainers to every member spreading the word.  

I have been involved with sports and working out my whole life, and what I thought were good workouts back then now pale in comparison to a Crossfit workout. Crossfit has taught me how to excercise, and whenever possible I encourage people to come and try it out. I enjoy the WODs that require heavy lifting with the core and upper body, Deadlifts, Cleans and Push Press are 3 of my favorites.  I am not much of a runner so any WOD that requires alot, OK any, running will likely not be my favorite, but hey, that’s why we do those!

MAY 2009 CrossFit Springfield Member Spotlight:  Julie Becker

I am Julie Becker from the early morning crew. I am a part of the “pyscho runnners” Macy refers to that run before Crossfit W.O.D.  I have been involved in sports or some kind of physical activity all my life including a degree in Exercise Physiology.  I started working our with our amazing trainer Jessi about two and a half years ago.  Of course, I followed her when she left the YMCA and said she wanted to introduce me to something called Crossfit.  So, here I am loving every minute of being in the gym and probably in better shape in my forties than my twenties. (Yes, I am in the Masters Division) My favorite W.O.D.s are anything with endurance that you have to put some time into.  I really could do without the overhead squats but realize they work areas that I could use help in!  I thrive on music that is loud, fast tempo, and preferably ones I can understand the lyrics. You can’t beat U2 “Beautiful Day” at O’dark thirty when the sun is rising!  Otherwise I guess I am partial to the Old School rock and roll.  My favorite part about Crossfit Springfield are definitely the people who participate and the wonderful trainers.  Every time I walk through the door it makes me smile.  You all are my inspiration to keep getting up at 4:30 four and five days a week and I thank you all.  ( And allowing my to be goofy and laugh often)  Another inspiration is my family.  Bob,  my husband of 17 years, started Crossfit one year ago and all I can say is ”Mommy likey” and oooo la la!  We have three kids ..Olivia 12 years, Sam 10 years, and Ethan 8 years.  They are my full time job when I come home from work and are keeping the family tradition of being active.  I hope to see everyone soon  at the gym.

 

I have two children whom i simply adore. Arianna is 9 years old and Eli is 6 years old and both attend New covenant academy. They are growing up too quickly in my opinion. Being a dad is simply and is my favorite occupation.

I have been training with jessie for almost 3 years. I originally started working with her at the YMCA in feb 2007 and followed her when she ventured out on her own. She is simply one of the most amazing person i have ever met and i have to give her credit for helping me get into the best shape i have ever been in my life.

I am an internist at St.johns and have been a physician for 12 years.one of my passions is my work. I Love what i do and enjoy the challenges that face me day to day. In my line of work, I see death on a weekly basis so a strong faith in god has helped me help my patient’s and their families.one of the reasons that i wanted to get in shape is that i wanted to practise what i preached. If you advice someone to eat well and lose weight and begin an exercise program and don’t do it then you are fooling no one. I like to give 110% in everything that i do and have tried to live my life that way.

My hobbies include gardening,reading and riding my horses when i have the time.we have a literal zoo on our farm.we have four horses,3 cats,5 dogs,fish and an iguanna. My favorite authors are steinbeck,tolstoy,sinclair lewis and upton sinclair. One of the most relaxing things for me is working in my garden planting in mid-late spring.

I think of crossfit as family. The trainers are all excellent and i have the utmost of respect for all of them. They foster an environment that is positive and pleasant to be in.  Encouragement goes a long way and i think all the trainers at crossfit exemplies what a true trainer should be like.  God bless