Questions With A Coach
- Tell us a little about yourself (family, school, job):
I live in Nanuet with my wife Susan and two daughters, Abigail a sophomore at Connecticut College and Kate a sophomore at Nanuet High School. Oh yeah and Sully the other guy in the house. I graduated from SUNY Cortland with a degree in Exercise Science a long time ago. Besides coaching at Ignite, I also coach at Row House in Washington Twp, and do personal training for private clients in home and on Zoom.
- What made you decide to try to start training people and coaching CrossFit?
While training at Ignite I started to help Steve out with covering classes. Back then, Steve coached every class all day long. I was more than happy to help out and take on some of the classes for him. Hard to believe its been over 10 years.
- How did you end up at CrossFit IGNITE?
I met Steve at a CrossFit Kettlebell certification in 2008 and he told me he was opening a CrossFit not far from where I lived. He invited me to stop by once he opened up and check it out. I started to drop in on occasion and had a sip of the kool aid and became hooked. It wasn’t too long later I went and completed my first Level 1 coaching certification.
- How has CrossFit and coaching CrossFit changed your life/lifestyle?
Doing and coaching CrossFit has reinforced my fitness beliefs to be active and healthy for a better life. We all have genetics that we cannot change or alter, but taking control of our exercise and nutrition habits we can. CrossFit is a complete all around fitness philosophy to help us live a healthier life.
- As a Coach what do you feel is your specialty?
I don’t think there is any one aspect of coaching I have a speciality in. If I was to pick one aspect I think I do well, it is analyzing human movements and offering suggestions for a safer and more efficient outcome. I also enjoy finding out other activities our athletes take part in and offering suggestive exercises to assist them.
- What is your favorite Wod/movement and your least favorite Wod/movement?
This is a loaded questions. So many moves and workout you both love and hate. Most favorite movement is handstand push-ups. If I was to select one wod as a favorite it would be Diane. Deadlifts and handstand push-ups, cant go wrong with those two. Grace would be a close second. Least favorite movement is a tie between air squats and thrusters. Least favorite wod is Fran. Hands down. Makes me sick to even think about doing it.
- What were your first thoughts after your first experience/first crossfit workout?
It was in Westwood and it was a combination of rowing, pull ups, and box jumps. I did it with Vic, those of you that remember him, and I thought afterwards that I was never going to walk again. Then the feeling of euphoria hit me and I couldn’t wait to come back the next day.
- Proudest crossfit accomplishment?
Not puking after doing Fran at my first Level 1 certification.
- Tell us something we don’t know about you?
I’ve completed the New York City Marathon 3 times.
- What do you love doing outside of working out?
Golf. Golf. Golf.
- Favorite Cheat meal?
Every meal is a cheat meal. That is why I work out.
Pizza. If I could, I’d have pizza for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And dessert.
- Any advice for “newbies” /anyone looking to try CrossFit IGNITE?
You’ll never regret coming in to try Ignite. You will find a place where everyone cares about you, not just the coaches. We are a unique group of individuals with varied backgrounds and personalities, but we all love to workout together and support one another both in and out of the gym.
