Sunday, April 18, 2010 – Athlete Profile: Matt Millmore

Athlete Profile:  Matt Millmore

1.  In general, what is your background?

I was originally born in Springfield, Illinois but have spent most of my life in the Carolinas. After graduating from high school in ’00 at the ripe old age of 18 I loaded up my Civic Hatchback and moved to Myrtle Beach in an attempt to live out a permanent “spring break” kind of life. That lasted a couple of very up and down years until I met my amazing future wife Christen and got married in ’04. We ended up here in Charleston in ’07 when the restaurant (T-Bonz) offered me the Kitchen Manager position in West Ashley. I did the 70-80 hour a week Kitchen Manager thing until my beautiful daughter Kaylie was born in ’08 and then decided it was time to step down, go back to school, and find a better more family-time friendly line of work. My goal is to eventually work for Child Protective Services as an advocate/mentor to abused/neglected children here in the LowCountry.

2.  Age, Occupation?

28 – Student at CSU, Cook at T-Bonz in West Ashley.

3.  How did you get to know about CrossFit and why did you start?

I heard about CrossFit through Mike Richey (Coach Alana’s husband) while we were working together at the restaurant last year. I decided to go check out CrossFit upon Mikes encouragement, a desire to do something positive for my health, and basically as a dare with myself. I mean really how bad could pullups, pushups, and airsquats be………?

4.  How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?

I think in a lot of ways it is safe to say my life has taken a complete 180 since my introduction to CrossFit. I was on a bad road. My level of fitness probably ranked about a negative 12 on a scale of 1-10 when I first started this journey. I still wake up at night in cold sweats thinking about that first ten minute “Cindy” last October! I was VERY sore for six days after that. I was incredibly  athletic throughout high school but running the gauntlet of the food and beverage industry the past ten years and REALLY over indulging in ALL of its social offerings I became very unhealthy and very out of shape. In this short seven months of doing CrossFit I have both felt and seen major changes in my mental focus and physical performance. Changing my habits with nutrition over the last couple of months has probably made the biggest impact in my all around everyday performance.

5.  Name one goal and/or personal record you would like to accomplish through CrossFit?

Score 300 on Fight-Gone-Bad and I would also love to help bring CrossFit Kids to Integrity.

6.  Favorite CrossFit moment so far?

Finishing my Dads last 15 Wall-Balls side by side with him the last time he was here.

7.  What do you like most about CrossFit Integrity?

The People, Coaches, and Competition: I tried the globo gym thing once (literally..once) about 6yrs ago and not only did I have no clue where to begin but it also stunk with boiled over ego’s. And really, who needs that many mirrors? I know I’m not pretty so I have no need to look at myself every five seconds. I am truly excited everyday to get to CrossFit Integrity and know that no matter how weak/strong I am in that WOD everyone is pushing themselves and pushing each other towards the same goal.

8.  Favorite WOD?

“Fight-Gone-Bad”. This was one of my first Wods so its really been a great running tab of how far I’ve come.

9.  Least favorite WOD?

“Coach Nigel’s Thruster/Burpee Wod”. Race to 100 Thrusters with 5 Burpees at the top of every minute.

10. Favorite movement?

Recently it has been anything on the GHD machine. A stronger core has really helped with all the other movements.

11. Least favorite movement?

Pistols (one-legged squats)

12. Favorite place to eat in Charleston?

As soon as the post paleo wods are done I am going to Gennaro’s for the Veal Bolognese. Oh so so good!!!

CrossFit Integrity, Charleston, SC