Sunday, February 7, 2010 – Athlete Profile: Colin Thomas

Athlete Profile:  Colin Thomas

1.  In general, what is your background?

I am from Berkeley, California originally. My family moved to the Northeast when I was young and I went to high school in Connecticut and college in upstate New York. I moved to Charleston in the spring of 2000 for work. I live in West Ashley with my wife Anita and my two children Hannah (19 months) and Finn (2 Months); I also have two dogs (Dante & Saba), it’s a full house!

2.  Age, Occupation?

38, Project Manager, for a defense contracting company in Charleston.

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

About a year ago a colleague of mine from San Diego, who is a former Navy SEAL, told me about it and he is in amazing shape, he and his co-workers do CrossFit daily and rave about it.  Last summer I decided that as I was about to have a second child I needed to be in top shape for myself and for my children in order to be an “active Dad” and in general I wanted to dramatically improve my overall health, because I’ve been in poor shape for longer than I care to admit.  So I looked up affiliates in Charleston and then West Ashley (where I live) and found CrossFit Integrity.  I  remember looking at the blog page and seeing a picture of someone’s bloodied hand over the logo board and thinking “this is going to be awesome”.  My first WOD was ‘Tabata Something Else’ with Brooks (Dubose) and though I was pretty sure I was going to have to be hospitalized after about 1 round, everyone’s positive attitude and friendliness made me come back the next day, and the next day, and so on…

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

Tremendously; from a purely physical perspective – I’ve dropped 40 pounds and almost 3 waist sizes and my body is constantly reshaping itself.  entally, I’ve felt for years that I was resigned to being in poor shape for the rest of my life but CrossFit has completely 180-ed that thought process.  I now see results daily and have made short and long term goals for myself that I’ve set out and achieved – which has rebuilt my confidence in other areas of my life.  People constantly tell me how much better I look, etc. which further instills in me to push farther – and I have all of you to thank for it, especially the coaches who have had the patience to visually show me that I, in fact, was NOT getting low enough in my squats, heh.  I am in better shape now than I have been in at least 20 years and I can see myself in due time getting into the shape I was during high school and college when I rowed (crew) competitively.

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

Coach Nigel said that 80% of fitness is diet, so I’d have to say I need to get my, err, metabolic conditioning under control.  But I’d also like to Rx every Board WOD.

6.  Favorite CrossFit moment so far?

RXing Fran & Angie

7.  What do you like most about CrossFit Integrity?

I’d have to say the positive community is my favorite aspect of CrossFit Integrity and it’s why I come back every day.  Everyone is extremely supportive of everyone else’s goals and people congratulate each other sincerely when each of us achieves our individual goals – I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

8.  Favorite WOD?

Fight Gone Bad and any WOD with rowing

9.  Least favorite WOD?

I am not fond of running WODs

10. Favorite movement?

A tossup between Back Squats and Deadlifts

11. Least favorite movement?

Turkish Get-Ups

12. Favorite place to eat in Charleston?

Tough call – so many good ones to choose from.  I really liked Marie Leveau’s but they closed down so I’d have to say Fat Hen on Johns Island is my favorite.

CrossFit Integity, Charleston, SC