Sunday, November 1st – Athlete Profile: Brooks Dubose

Athlete Profile:  Brooks Dubose

1.  In general, what is your background? 

I grew up in Camden, SC, went to boarding school in Alexandria, Va., attended Hampden Sydney College in VA, was an NCAA Lacrosse player for 4 years, as well as played Varsity football at HSC for 1 year. After college, I moved out to San Francisco, CA for 7 years to start a career in software sales and music during the Dotcom era. Just 3 years ago, my former company transferred me to Charleston, SC where I am fortunate to live now. I love listening to and playing music, attending concerts, surfing, triathlons (favorite event accomplishment: “Escape From Alcatraz”, San Francisco, CA), and now, CrossFit.

2.  Age, Occupation?

I am 34 yrs old and recently resigned from my company of 5+ years (Yes, I realize we are in a recession..). My background is in wireless and software sales, but at the moment, I consider myself a full time drummer in a band called Gaslight Street (www.gaslightstreet.com). Music is a large part of my life and I continue to work hard, challenge myself, and play as many live shows as possible. In many ways, playing music is very similar to Crossfit…

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

About a year and a half ago, I heard about Crossfit through my friend Jed Dickens (Crossfit Integrity attendee) and started looking at the main crossfit.com website daily. At that time, I was also training for the Kiawah Olympic Distance triathlon and began doing the online CF workouts, because I had no gym structure. Before crossfit, I was just swimming, biking, and running daily with minimal weight training. I then found a gym in Mt. Pleasant. called “Shaping Concepts” that was just starting a CrossFit program and attended classes 3x per week and incorporated this into my triathlon workouts. Overall, my times started to improve as well as felt much stronger on a daily basis. I ended up telling friends, John Griswold and Colin Regan, about the CF program and they too decided to join me for the Mt. P class. I think that we all would agree that we really liked the intensity of the workouts, the challenge, and the minimal time it took to do a WOD, but none of us respected or had a connection with the Mt. Pleasant CF instructor. Long story short, Colin found Coach Brian K. who was just starting up the Low Country Crossfit affiliate in West Ashley which, at the time, was being held at A.K.S. Martial Arts Studio. During this time, there were only about 6 people (Colin R., John Griz, Lisa A., Coach Kevin L., Coach Nigel and a few others). We were sharing a space with the martial arts instructors, had minimal weights, were working out in socks due to the karate mats (try doing box jumps with just socks on..), no loud music, no cursing, and we had to be on our “best behavior” while 6 year olds were being taught how round house in the adjoining room. All in all, the facility was a dump, but we kept going to Crossfit with Coach Brian K. because we respected him, he motivated us, and he devoted 100% of his time and attention to us when were there.

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

Before Crossfit, I would go to a standard gym and just feel totally lost. My workouts would generally entail 30 min of cardio on a treadmill followed by a workout routine that a past personal trainer designed for me; same thing, different day. In short, it was always very frustrating, because I had no goals, no direction, and no advice. Then I thought it would be a good thing to start training for triathlons for months at a time and for hours every day. This was a great way to get in shape, but it took up a great deal of time.

CrossFit has changed the way I workout, because we have a new workout every day. I now have daily goals, CF fulfills my competitive nature, there is obviously a return on your investment, and I really enjoy the community of people that we have at CrossFit Integrity.
Simply put, Crossfit has become my new addiction.

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

I used to have a 40 inch waist. Now I have a 36 inch waist, and my goal is to get down to a 34 inch waste. Also, I am hoping to continue learning and applying new health and nutrition practices in my everyday life. I would also like to measure my current body fat with a new goal in mind. If anyone knows of an accurate way to do this, please let me know.

6.  Favorite CrossFit moment so far?

I did (9) WODs in 5 days and hoping to accomplish (10) WODs in 5 days in the next few weeks. If anyone is up for the challenge let me know. I could use a motivator..

7.  What do you like most about Crossfit Integrity?

The coaches, the people, and the community.

8.  Favorite WOD?

Fight Gone Bad
 
9.  Least favorite WOD?

Bear Complex

10.  Favorite movement?

Dead Lift and Bear Crawl

11.  Least favorite movement?

Thrusters

12.  Favorite place to eat in Charleston?

Al Di La (If you haven’t been, go..Best Italian in town)

Crossfit Integrity, Charleston, SC