- Age and Occupation?
I am 48 (will be 49 in June) and am a lawyer by training. I spent 15 years in a big firm environment doing corporate, M&A and private equity type work and then took a general counsel job with a client, which was a great move. I am currently working with a group of guys from that company on a variety of entrepreneurial ventures. My wife (Karen) and I have 4 sons – the oldest is a freshman at Michigan, two are in high school and one in seventh grade – parenting feels like a full time job as well.
- How long have you been doing CrossFit?
I started in June 2013, so almost 3 years (and still can’t do a #@%! pull-up). After failing to stick with many different approaches to exercise, I love that CrossFit has held my interest this long. Credit for that goes largely to my fellow 6am crew (and coaches) – it’s a hugely supportive and encouraging (and moderately competitive) group – we may start slow, but we’re doing serious work by the time we’re done!
- Why do you CrossFit?
I showed up on day 1 just to see if I could do it. I’ve shown up 4 or 5 days a week since for a dozen different reasons – to feel better, lose weight, look better, gain strength, improve mobility, combat a challenging family health history, set an example for my kids, heck – even be able to keep up with my kids, challenge myself physically, challenge myself mentally, relieve stress – I could go on.
- What is your favorite movement?
I have a serious love/hate with most of the movements. I’m a big believer in the basic body weight movements (push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, squats). But I probably get the most satisfaction pulling off the overhead squat/snatch movements. I remember seeing that during on-ramp and thinking “no way I’ll ever be able to do that.” I love that I can now.
- What is your least favorite movement?
Long list – but deadlifts are my nemesis. I’ve had some back issues and deadlifts can aggravate those issues – Jordan says that means I’m doing it wrong. Clearly still a work in process.
- Do you follow a particular diet to fuel your training? Favorite foods?
This is evolving. I do try to stick primarily to whole foods, but in my job, a lot of business gets done over prolonged lunches and dinners. I have tinkered with paleo and Atkins, but found them too restrictive for my life style. At this point, I try to follow two basic rules – make more good decisions than bad when it comes to food (and everything else actually) and avoid two bad decisions in a row. I eat really no pasta, very little bread, very little red meat and small amounts of dairy. I don’t typically say “no” to beer at the Tigers game or to wine during a dinner out.
- What are your short-term goals?
Short-term, I have a couple of the Crossfit basics mocking me. Pull-ups have been tough my whole life (I attribute that to my height and weight (too tall and too heavy)). I’d also like to lock in double-unders some day soon. I should also say that my goal every day is to be smart, avoid injury and make sure I can come back tomorrow.
- What are your long-term goals?
Longer-term, I’d like to try a competition. I’d also like to build endurance and take my Crossfit skills outside the gym – maybe an obstacle race or triathlon. And mostly, be able to continue the things I enjoy – skiing, golf, hiking, an occasional basketball game, etc.
- What is your biggest achievement at CFB?
Besides showing up every day, I love that as a “big guy” I can climb a rope and kick into a handstand. I also felt good about my showing on a couple of the Crossfit Open WODs this year.
- If there was a WOD named after you, what would it be?
My go to when I work out at home or on the road:
“Rosko”
Run 1 Mile
100 Pushups
100 Situps
Run 1 Mile