Sunday, March 13, 2011 – Athlete Profile: Nicholas Roa

Athlete Profile: Nicholas Roa

1. In general, what is your background?

I grew up all over.  My dad was a marine for 20 years so my family moved a lot.  My family is pretty fun though, I have 2 brothers and 3 sister and I’m the oldest.  My brothers are closest to me in age so growing up we always competed.  I swam every year growing up until college.  I went to the Naval Academy and joined the Crew team on a whim.  I rowed through college which is where I learned to love and hate the erg.  Mostly hate.  We did some pretty sick workouts though and the main thing that kept the team working was racing.  I definitely prefer rowing on the water over the erg and recommend you guys try in if you ever get the chance.

2. Age, Occupation?

27, Navy, Submarine Officer

If it seems like you only see me once every five weeks or so its because I’m a rotating shift work schedule.  I’m on a different schedule every week for five weeks and then the cycle restarts.  I’ll figure out everyone’s name eventually.

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

Well, Amy Woods is pretty sure theres a T-rex in the woods behind my condo so I had to start crossfit to help her take it down.  Actually Mike and Amy Woods know me from Seattle and I saw how much they enjoyed it and got really curious from the non-stop work out stories and spontaneous workouts at parties.  I hadn’t had a good work out since rowing and thought I might like it aaaand i did.

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

Life on a submarine is very unhealthy.  I’d eat four times a day, sleep four or five hours maybe and never at the same time of day, and if you take time to work out the Engineer or XO ask you why you’re not doing paper work or standing watch.  Pretty much everyone is always in some level of bad mood.  It was was awesome to finally get off the boat and rotate to shore duty but I had gone from rowing 6 times a week, cutting weight for races when I was at school to running 1.5 miles twice a year for the navy’s physical readiness test and eating out and drinking with buddies from the boat whenever we weren’t on the boat.  Trying to get healthy again on my own wasn’t happening.

Since starting CrossFit I’m back to always thinking ahead to the next workout.  It feels awesome to have place with so many like-minded people working towards the same thing.  Also I prior to crossfit I was all cardio and very specialized movements (Rowing).  I’d basically never picked up a weight in pursuit of gaining strength.  I was pretty intimidated by barbells and the whole lot of it.  Its really good getting out of my comfort zone.

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

Well, I have a couple.  I’d like to play my iPod during a WOD some time.  It cracks me up when Top Gun or Last of the Mohicans comes on.  I’d like to get the Level I certification and maybe coach if thats cool.  I’d like to compete regularly and I’d like to make it on to one of the Hero WOD/Girl WOD boards.

6. Favorite CrossFit moment so far?

A few months back I finally started making it to enough workouts that I’d done a WOD more than once.  It was Kettlebell swings, pull ups and 4oom runs.  On my second attempt I PR’d by 6:30 and was able to work out the next day.

7. What do you like most about CrossFit Integrity?

Being part of a team.  I love that feeling.

8. Favorite WOD?

Anything with pullups.  Maybe “Death By Pullups”

9. Least favorite WOD?

Whatever had 150 GHD’s a few weeks ago.

10. Favorite movement?

Back Squat.  KING OF EXERCISES!!!

11. Least favorite movement?

Probably overhead squats right now.

12. Favorite place to eat in Charleston?

Ted’s Butcher Block.  I love his meat!

CrossFit Integrity, Charleston, SC