Andrew is PUSH511's April Member of the Month!
Andrew joined PUSH511 a little less than a year ago after dropping in on our Bring a Friend Day. After playing collegiate basketball, he was looking for a new gym and exercise regimen to help him get back in shape as a busy professional and father to three children. He's made amazing progress in that time and always brings positive energy to our morning group CrossFit classes! This is why the PUSH coaching team nominated him as our April Member of the Month:
Andrew has been so great to both coach and have as a fellow 6am'er. I love the fact that he's become so committed to getting in the gym at least 14 times a month and his progress physically and mentally has been fantastic. We share many laughs as we poke fun at each other, but also put in the work to improve our overall fitness. He's been so coachable, knows his limits, and incrementally gets better. Keep up the great work Andrew, but please get some new shoes! :)
We are so happy Andrew joined John during Bring A Friend Day in June 2023. We know he originally joined to be John's bench press buddy, but things changed in 2024. Andrew bumped up his weekly classes, so much so that he made the Committed Club every month in the 1st quarter! His increased attendance is paying off with results inside and outside the gym. He brightens up the 6 am class.
Andrew is one of the few 6 am folks that actually answers my ridiculous questions of the day. So I think he deserves this as not only a cool member who has continued to grow and learn, but because he supports the morning randomness from the coaches. But for real, he just works hard, has a great attitude, and continues to just get better and better in the gym. He is also the only one that can get John C. to speak more than 4 words, so kudos and congrats to you Andrew!
Andrew is quiet but hard-working. He takes suggestions from coaches and is always willing to engage in our shenanigans. We have watched him truly come out of his shell and makes the group giggle quite a bit. He is such a fun addition to the morning crew.
Now, let's get to know our April Member of the Month!
When did you start CrossFit? I started with PUSH511 back in May of 2023 through the Bring a Friend Week. It’s a decision that certainly changed the course of my fitness journey. Very thankful for John Collingsworth to push me out of my comfort zone. It was at a time where I needed more structure and challenge in my fitness routine. I did do CrossFit for about 6 months in 2014 but that gym was not at the same level as PUSH511 provides.
What's your fitness background? I come from an athletic background. I played collegiate basketball at York College of PA. That goes hand and glove with working in the weight room to be the best on the court. I was very passionate around fitness through my younger years but as my professional life and personal life picked up I found my health taking a back seat. Looking at myself it wasn’t the example I wanted to set for my family and team so knew I needed to make a change in my lifestyle and habits. In 2023 I committed to Peloton but it wasn’t really getting it done for me - lonely, repetitive, limited strength and equipment options in a Baltimore row home). That’s when I turned to CrossFit which has more than filled that void I was looking for. Since joining I have transformed my physical and mental health. I have dropped ~25lbs and find myself in the best shape I’ve been in since college!
What's your favorite CrossFit movement? Love good old fashion bench day! Honestly still not sure if I’ve hit 'em all yet!
What's your least favorite movement? Burpees can burn in hell but they have gotten easier as time has gone on.
What do you do for work? I’m a RVP of Sales for Freedom Mortgage managing our Columbia, MD call center.
Tell us a little about yourself and your family. Born and raised in Reading, PA. I have 2 older sisters. Went to YCP for finance and economics where I met my now wife. We moved to Baltimore after college and have been here ever since. She works at Hopkins in the Peds unit. We have 3 boys & 1 dog (Sawyer 4, Hewitt 3, Griffith 1, Yogi 12) that keep us very busy, the laundry never ends… we love Baltimore and plan on staying in the city for a couple more years or until we burst at the seams.
Tell us something we don't know about you! I’ve been stabbed in Baltimore & 6 months later we moved down to the city!
How has CrossFit affected your life outside of the gym? CrossFit = Therapy. It has allowed me to show up as a better version of myself for my family and team. Starting my morning off with CrossFit sets the tone for the day. It provides that extra boost of energy to carry me throughout the day to perform at a higher level. It’s also allowed me to feel more comfortable and confident in my own skin. It provides that slice of “me” time in the day that’s hard to come by in a family of 5!
What do you enjoy most about PUSH511? The structure around the program is constantly changing which doesn’t create a plateau. The challenge of it - there are always ways to grow and improve your craft within the sport of CrossFit that create milestones along the way. Finally, the community behind you is always ready to celebrate those milestones.
What tips would you offer to someone who is just getting started with working out? Have a Why. Emotion drives action if you don’t have a Why to tie back to, the habit won't stick. Set goals. Short / medium/ long - keeps you accountable. Keeps you consistent. Go at your own pace - I started with 8 classes/mo to adjust my body, then went full time. Don’t be a hero, there are always options to scale down!
What's your favorite song to work out to? CrossFit has opened my eyes to the Big Bootie mixes by Two Friends and now I can’t stop listening to them. I don't know how it’s slipped through the cracks on me for so long.
What's your favorite restaurant? Take out: Dar Bar; sit down: Tagliata
Who's your hero, real or fictional? My pops. I’m a first-generation American so he helps shape my perspective and value my opportunities in life.
What does your frequently used emoji tab look like?
Words to live by or favorite quote? Life is what you make it.
What's your favorite travel spot? We visit Pawleys Island, SC a few times a year. Our family tradition is also going camping in the Hamptons, quite ironic but every year for the 4th of July we go to Hither Hills in Montauk for a week. It is something my wife has done for 25+ years and a tradition we continue to this day although it's getting more complicated. We have about 60 people in our group that go every year.
If you could win an Olympic gold medal for any sport, real or fake, what would it be? Gotta be that curling
What's your hidden talent? Hadn’t been close in years but picked up a basketball for the first time in over a year last weekend and dunked it! Last time I’ve done that was in college 12 years ago so I guess CrossFit's working! Not that being tall is a hidden talent…
What are your top five favorite movies?
- The Matrix
- Avatar
- V for Vendetta
- The Wolf of Wall Street
- Toy Story 3
