Friday, July 6, 2012

Posted by: gina

CFLB Athlete Profile: John Gordon

• Hometown: Mount Ephraim, NJ
• Age: 29
• Occupation: LWD Engineer: work on oil rigs to monitor the drilling process, evaluate formations we drill in, and find oil for geologists
• When did you first start CrossFitting? 03/29/2012
• When did you first start training at CFLB? 03/29/2012

Favorite WOD: Running to the top of Signal Hill carrying sandbags, anything with climbing rope and GHD sit-ups mixed in, and hero workouts.

Least Favorite WOD: There was one we did with overhead squats and 400M runs [Nancy]. I don't mind running but overhead squats own me.

Tell us about you sports & fitness background: I played football all throughout high school and played basketball for one year. I've trained in Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan for 4 years. After high school I played in any rough touch football league or softball league I could get in. I've always kept active with basketball, and my new love of beach volleyball since I moved to CA 3 and a half years ago.

How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD... what was it, and how did it feel? I was interested in CrossFit for a while, I just hadn't pulled the trigger.  I would drive by the gym all the time and one day I just walked in.  Ha, my first workout we ran various sprints in the street, then played dodge ball, the penalty for getting hit was to perform one of three workouts before you could get back in the game.  It was great and I really enjoyed the team and competitive aspect, but I knew I was in for more extreme workouts. I was still drenched in sweat after.

What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF? (before / after): I definitely see myself leaning down, and getting a more mesomorphic physique, which is my goal. I have a much better motor than 3 months ago when I first started, I see a steady incline in my stamina, and a steady decline in my recovery time.

What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected? My diet has to be the biggest surprise. I used to think I was a clean eater, but after learning about the paleo diet I realize how much I could improve.  It's kind of always on my mind now.  If I'm tempted I just think how many buckets I could fill with sweat from each workout, and it's not worth taking away from that for a brief moment of satisfaction.  There is a corny saying I try to follow: "no food will taste better than being fit."

Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFLB moments: One of my favorite moments was when I first RX'd a workout. Now I try to do it as often as possible. Any team workout is great, and I actually get some sort of sick joy out of any workout I can barely finish (usually hero WOD's) and end up laying on the ground for 10 minutes after.  It's a rewarding feeling to push your body to the limit as often as we do, and laugh about it after.

Any advice for people just getting started? I thought I was in good shape when I started, and joining CFLB really humbled me, I have a feeling it will do this for most anyone. There are people from all levels of fitness in a close setting. I find you can't compare yourself to anyone else.  Don't become discouraged if others who are flying through workouts, there will always be someone a step ahead, in every aspect of life.  The key is to constantly improve on your weights and times.  Also, it's a great feeling to cheer someone through a WOD they're struggling with, I'd suggest staying around and motivating someone when you are finished your workout. And don't overexert yourself either, I found it natural to want to go as often as possible even if I was really sore.  I think it's important to give your body more time to adjust to the massive change in physical activity, all this will pay off.

What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? Outside of CrossFit I like to swim a lot, which for me helps with sore muscles...play guitar, read, ride my bike(bicycle), play any kind of sport: mostly beach volleyball, basketball, or football.  Get my share of relaxing in, find new places to eat, hike...pretty much enjoy the good life of living in Southern CA. I actually enjoy cooking and baking too, I went to culinary school right out of high school and it stuck with me. I'm big on traveling, I jump on road trips, or international travel as often as possible.  All my family and childhood friends are back in Jersey, so it's always great to get back and see everyone.