Brad is PUSH511's July 2024 CrossFit Member of the Month!
Brad has been a member at PUSH511 for almost two years and is a regular in our afternoon group CrossFit classes. His consistency and hard work have paid off, and he's seen major progress in that time! Always bringing a positive attitude and open mind to class, he was an obvious choice to nominate as Member of the Month! This is why our coaches love having Brad in class:
"Always comes in early and read to go. Super coachable and takes cues well. Brad has progressed well since joining us and it’s always a pleasure to have him in class."
Brad is always a joy to have in class. He comes in, listens to the coaches, and works hard - a coach's dream! It's paid off as he's shown huge progress since joining. He also quickly became an integral part of the PUSH community, and is always fun to be around!
Brad shows up consistently to class and has improved so much over the last several months. Brad started CrossFit and has gained confidence more recently in a lot of movements which has been so fun to watch. He's a great sport and tends to smile when he's called out, even though he can be on the quieter side. We appreciate you Brad!
Now, let's get to know our July Member of the Month!
When did you start CrossFit? I started CrossFit in August 2022.
What's your fitness background? My fitness background prior to CrossFit was putzing around a conventional gym for years. CrossFit has provided me with a better structure (plus I don't have to plan, I just show up and do what that coach tells me!)
What’s your favorite CrossFit movement? Power Cleans are my current favorite.
What’s your least favorite movement? Anything involving overhead weight, such as overhead squats and snatch movements. I find the movements extremely challenging even at very light weight for whatever reason (something I'm currently focusing on improving).
What do you do for work? I work as a Structural Engineer specializing in building design with an interest in high-rise buildings and long-span truss structures. I work with architects and contractors as a consultant to design a building's framing and foundation system, as well as make the drawings used by contractors to ultimately build the buildings.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. I was born and raised in Baltimore (just outside the city in the Towson area) and I currently live in Canton close by Patterson Park. I am an only child and most of my family members are still based around the area too. Tell us something we don’t know about you! Not sure it's a well-kept secret, but I love cooking. Fun fact: while most people were doing the sourdough trend during the pandemic, I went through a fruit vinegar-making phase (I made raisin, fig, and apricot vinegars).
How has CrossFit affected your life outside the gym? Physically, I believe CrossFit has improved functional aspects of my body, such as improved posture and an improved awareness of how to move my body most efficiently (i.e. picking up something heavy).
What do you enjoy most about PUSH? I always look forward to capping my day in the afternoons/evenings just by showing up to the gym, being told what to do for the next hour (so I can shut my brain off), and working out with friends.
What tips would you offer someone who is just getting started with working out? Show up regularly and embrace scaling movements to something that works for you that day. Don't be afraid to ask the coach for a scale if something is bothering you.
What's your favorite song to work out to? Hard-hitting question! Depends on the day. Today: "Dancing on My Own" by Robyn. Bonus answer - favorite playlist is Justin Hampton's ever-evolving Spotify playlist.
What's your favorite restaurant? Clavel
Who's your hero (real or fictional)? Lucille Bluth (from Arrested Development)
What does your frequently used emoji tab look like?
What's your favorite travel spot? New York City, but that's hardly traveling... I love traveling to the Pacific Northwest (Seattle/Portland).
If you could win an Olympic gold medal for any sport, real or fake, what would it be? Curling. I like to think I'd be good at being the person who uses the broom.
What's your hidden talent? I'm one of the few people I know who can keep a Calathea (plant) alive.
What are your top five favorite movies?
- Lost in Translation
- Howl's Moving Castle
- Breakfast at Tiffany's
- American Psycho
- My Cousin Vinny
