Outside of Crossfit, I’m a software developer in information security. If you’re reading this and think I’m the perfect person to ask whether something you do with computers is secure, just be aware the answers will range from “No!” to “My god, you’re doing what?” For extra fun, ask what I think about electronic voting machines 🙂 My wife Shena is a fellow Daybreaker, as well as a nurse, and at least for the summer, also an arts and crafts teacher at summer camp! Our 3 kids and 1 dog take up pretty much the rest of my time. I do make sure I have plenty of reading time, though, I’m into most things sci-fi as well as history, science, politics, etc.
2. Tell us about your crossfit journey so far, what have you learned about yourself, and what keeps you coming back?
Growing up, I was very physically active. It wasn’t unusual to put in 12 hours or more of manual labor (where I grew up, they apparently hadn’t heard of child labor laws…). Being fit and strong was part of my identity. When I was 15, I was in a car accident with my mom who unfortunately didn’t survive. I escaped with a broken leg. But the combination of the two things, along with ongoing complications from both, really set me back physically. To be honest, I never really recovered, and have not done strenuous exercise at all in the intervening 20+ years.
CrossFit has been an amazing turn-a-round for me. The coaches have always been happy to help me tailor exercises that don’t work well for me (because my leg is still screwed up somehow). In 6 months, I’ve gone from barely surviving 2 workouts a week, to enjoying 5-6. Occasionally I can almost keep up with everyone else 🙂 I was inspired by the nutrition challenge to cut sugar out of my diet, and I’ve mostly done that now for about 2 months. With the combination of that and regular exercise, I’ve lost 20 pounds since January, which I’m very happy about!
I keep coming back because I want to keep making progress, to get back to being fit and strong as just part of who I am. I come back because the coaches have routinely given me just the advice I needed to learn a new skill, and because the rest of the Daybreak crowd are fun to exercise with, both welcoming and challenging!
3. Are you doing anything fun and exciting this summer? Any plans that you are looking forward to?
We’re planning a vacation to Vermont next month. It will probably be more relaxing than exciting to be honest, at least that’s the plan. Let me know if you know really fun things to do around Stowe!
4. What’s one of your guilty pleasures?
You’ll probably never see me at the 5:30 class, because I really like sleeping in. Sadly, my kids like to get up early, so it’s been years now since I’ve really gotten to indulge, but someday I will again sleep until noon on a weekend.
Congrats to you both.
Vin, thank you for your service on the police force. All the Guapo’s are grateful to the brave men and women who help keep us safe.
Matthew, your bravery and strength to get back to the gym is inspiring. Congratulations on all of your progress, and keep up the great work.
El Guapo
I could not agree more with El Guapo. The individual stories take the connection to Daybreak that much further than anywhere else.