Congratulations, Ryan and Steve!
We've had couples and families share the Member of the Month spotlight, and this June we have our first gym bestie Members of the Month duo: Ryan and Steve!
Ryan and Steve are fixtures in the morning group CrossFit class crew. Here is why our coaches love having them both at PUSH:
I don’t think there is a more iconic friend duo that exists in this world. Name one, I’ll wait. But for real, these two bring so much fun to classes it’s unreal. They will have you laughing with them in about two seconds of walking in the door. When they aren’t posing for their social media thirst traps, they are cruising through WODs making you chase them down to keep up. Do they talk through the briefing? Yup. Is Steve usually late to class? Sure is. Are they humble? Mmm, debatable. Do they work hard? Absolutely. Seriously, these two are a treasure to be admired.
Whenever Ryan, then a of couple minutes later, Steve walks in, you know you’ll have an entertaining hour. Both are so coachable and fun to have around. Whether it’s laughing through the strength portion or at the end of the workout, they’re both here for a good time and a long time.
Both Ryan & Steve have really turned on their intensity in the last year. This meant Ryan was able to get faster, then added weight to get stronger, then got faster, then stronger… and now he is an absolute beast. For Steve, he was able to correct his form, add intensity, and began crushing workouts like he hadn’t done in the past. Whenever I’m coaching one of them, I know there will be a lot of laughs, but also a lot of hard work. They each really give it their all when they walk through that door.
I rarely have the pleasure of coaching these men, but I can say that they are both so incredibly kind, caring, and outright hilarious. They bring so much energy (and personality) to PUSH.
These two are very entertaining to watch both on and off social media. Although I don’t get to coach or train with them often they always give me a good laugh when I do. They both work really hard and have made major progress in meeting their goals. The creativity behind their gym thirst traps on IG can’t go without acknowledgment either. Can’t wait to read Steve’s write-up for this one!
Ryan and Steve are always a pleasure to have in class. They immediately brighten up the room the minute they walk in the door. Don’t let that fool you though, they are there to work. They are both very coachable and are always working on getting better. They bring the intensity during the workouts day in and day out but have tons of fun doing it. Love having them in class, you know you’ll have a good time when they show up.
Crouse has been a silent killer. Walks in, kicks butt, takes names, leaves, and does it again the next day. He has patiently gotten better at his weaknesses and continues to wow every coach with his incredible strength. The mustache is pretty hot too. Preston's bubbly and fun persona brings plenty of joy to each class he's in. He listens to coaching remarks, makes the adjustments, and has steadily improved as a result. The dynamic duo takes some pretty great IG pics as well. I just need to be included in the sandwich more often that's all.
Ryan and Steve will always bring smiles to your face, so if you have never attended a 7:15 am class, please try one out, you will not be disappointed. Be prepared for some interesting topics to arise during the hour and even maybe a few dance moves. These two have become gym partners or sisters as they prefer and push each other in a workout. The warm-up chatter is amusing but once at 3-2-1-Go, they are all business. The two love their iced coffee in the morning no matter what time of year, and if the gym iced coffee container is empty their opinion will be heard!
Steve and Ryan are so fun to have in class! They bring so much fun energy to every class, and they know how to pose for the post-WOD pics! They push each other to work hard while keeping the FUN in functional fitness! Ryan is such a hard worker, and he gives his all in every workout. He has come so far since he joined, and he’s become the one everyone chases in the afternoon classes. Steve is the heart and soul of the 7:15 am class! He makes everyone feel so welcome, and he always knows how to have a good time. But he’s also crushing those WODs and working hard every day. And his music suggestions are always on point.
Now, let's get to know our June Members of the Month!
When did you start CrossFit?
- Ryan: June 2017
- Steve: May 2021
What's your fitness background?
- Ryan: Lifted at Planet Fitness before CrossFit.
- Steve: In college, I ballooned to 250 lbs after living abroad (thanks American food). This triggered me to work hard and lose weight, starting at Penn State’s gym. Following this I worked out on and off over the years at Brick Bodies and Merritt.
What’s your favorite CrossFit movement?
- Ryan: Wall balls.
- Steve: I love the gymnastic movements (pull-up bar, handstand pushups, wall walks, etc).
What’s your least favorite movement?
- Ryan: Snatches.
- Steve: Thrusters, hands down.
What do you do for work?
- Ryan: Catastrophe Adjuster. Chasing storm damage across the country.
- Steve: Full-time, I manage park design and construction for Parks & People of Baltimore as a professional landscape architect. Over the last 9 years, I’ve been able to reconnect 20%+ of the most underserved residents to parks and greenspace across the city. Additionally, I am the owner/designer of Moss & Mortar, a custom landscape and interior design business.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
- Ryan: Grew up in Syracuse, NY, land of snow and cold. Lived in Boston, San Francisco, and Harrisburg before moving to Bmore. It’s me, kitty, Harper, and sometimes a foster for family.
- Steve: I grew up just north of Baltimore in Bel Air, but have called Baltimore home for the last 14 years after moving home after college. I live in Patterson Park with my energetic pup, Dobby, but prefer to escape to the beaches up and down the northeast whenever I can with my boyfriend, James.
Tell us something we don’t know about you!
- Ryan: Deathly afraid of spiders.
- Steve: I’ve lived in 4 different countries outside of the US.
How has CrossFit affected your life outside the gym?
- Ryan: CrossFit has changed me physically and mentally and I apply it to work and everyday life. It’s made me challenge myself and achieve goals I didn’t think were possible.
- Steve: While I love my job, the weight of serving so many communities in need caused me to develop anxiety at work. CrossFit has enabled me to push through this, providing an outlet for decompressing before starting each day.
What do you enjoy most about PUSH?
- Ryan: The community and the atmosphere. PUSH makes you feel comfortable no matter what stage you’re at in your fitness journey and they genuinely care about your health and fitness goals.
- Steve: I love the “family” vibe. From day one I have always felt welcomed and encouraged by longtime members and coaches. While I wasn’t always an early morning fitness enthusiast, I look forward to working out with my sister Ryan while we laugh and educate our fellow classmates.
What tips would you offer someone who is just getting started with working out?
- Ryan: Take it slow. It’s not going to happen overnight. Even after 6 years of doing this I still have challenges with movements and workouts. You’re always learning and growing.
- Steve: Listen to your body, and don’t compare yourself to everyone else. Everyone’s CrossFit journey is different, just as all of our bodies are different. With patience and perseverance, you will get there (wherever that might be).
What's your favorite song to work out to?
- Ryan: Something Taylor Swift haha
- Steve: Anything Cher or Whitney (shocker)
What's your favorite restaurant?
- Ryan: Sally Os
- Steve: The Charleston
Who's your hero (real or fictional)?
- Ryan: George Costanza
- Steve: Dolly Parton
What does your frequently used emoji tab look like?
- Ryan:
- Steve:
Words to live by or favorite quote?
- Ryan: Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die tomorrow.
- Steve: “I did it my way” -Frank Sinatra
What's your favorite travel spot?
- Ryan: Key West
- Steve: Provincetown, Massachusetts
If you could win an Olympic gold medal for any sport, real or fake, what would it be?
- Ryan: Cake-eating.
- Steve: Sailing.
What's your hidden talent?
- Ryan: No idea.
- Steve: Painting watercolors.
What are your top five favorite movies?
Ryan:
- Clueless
- Legally Blonde
- Halloween
- Titanic
- Nightmare on Elm Street
Steve:
- My Best Friend's Wedding
- Steel Magnolias
- It's a Wonderful Life
- Charlie Brown Christmas
- Goonies
