Member Of The Month – September 2017
It’s September already, 5 months into the M Squared journey and we have built an amazing community and gym full of awesome members.
To celebrate that, the coaching team have decided to do a “Member of the Month”. Each month we will choose a new member who has really stood out for us. Our first one was a unanimous decision. MOTM September had to be Andy Ford!
We have all had the pleasure of coaching Andy and since his move to M️ we have seen nothing but hard work, smiles, tops off, dedication, willingness to succeed and encouraging everyone along the way!
Andy is a joy to come in to at 6.30am. Always happy and usually whistling a tune and whatever you tell him we have in store he always answers with “sweet”
Andy really wanted to get pull-ups and HSPU and he practiced before and after classes and worked on them till he got them. You always know Andy is virtuous in his reps too as he will always tell you how many he has left with a little hand count!
He has smashed all his PB’s… pretty much every time he trains he gets a new PB.
He is doing RX WOD’s and also recently started Team Training!
Andy makes everyone feel welcome and is most certainly a massive part of the team!
Thanks for being totally awesome Andy!
M – So congratulations on being Member Of The Month September.
A – Thanks Em for making me Mr CrossFit September 2017.
M – How long have you been doing CrossFit?
A – I have been doing CrossFit for a total of 14 months with the past 5 months at M Squared CrossFit.
M – You are a dedicated morning crew member and I take my hat off to you as it is so hard to get yourself out of bed each day, especially now it’s getting dark and cold. What makes you get out of bed to come and train?
A – Getting out of bed for 5:45am can be a serious struggle, especially now it’s getting dark. But it is well worth it. The buzz that I get from not listening to the little voice in my head that says “Don’t get up, there is always tomorrow” really sets me up for my day, giving me a more positive outlook of what I can achieve if I push myself.
M – On that note what is your why? Why do you put yourself through it each day? Do you have goals you want to achieve?
A – The reason why I put myself through the WOD’s is to see what I can push my body to do. I find it a positive experience to initially be daunted by a WOD but then by the end of the session has managed to achieve it. I also enjoy the varied workouts and the motivational support that you don’t get in a regular gym. My current goal is to be able to learn and execute each technique correctly, even ring muscle ups.
M – What advice would you give anyone wanting to start CrossFit but is either unsure or nervous? We get people all the time saying they need to get fit first or they could never do what we do? Any advice for those people?
A – Taking that first step into the fantastic world of CrossFit can be a scary and daunting experience. When I first decided to go for it I had lots of worries about what could happen. “Will I die doing my first WOD?”, “Will the members of the box be approachable?” and “Will I feel like part of the team?” Well, I didn’t die doing the WOD and
the members were very approachable making me feel part of the CrossFit community from the very first training session. My advice to anyone wanting to join a CrossFit box is to just GO AND DO IT. Don’t wait for your ‘perfect fitness level’ or use the excuse of not being able to complete the workouts as well as other members. I remember looking like a human tomato after completing a 25kg front squat session. I looked around at the other members of the class with their heavy weights and ‘Conan the Barbarian’ bodies and I realised they had most probably started at the same point that I had. So make that first step forward. Take the plunge. I guarantee you that you will not regret it. I haven’t.
M – What is your biggest achievement so far in CrossFit and what are you most proud of?
A – My best achievement is finally being able to do a handstand. I remember feeling like an idiot not being able to do something that primary school children do on a playground. Em reassured me that I could do it and that my face would not hurtle towards the floor on my first attempt. I did it and it felt great. The thing that I am most proud of is taking that first step into CrossFit which has allowed me to meet and be inspired by some of the most positive, motivational, friendly and kind people that I have ever met.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the coaching staff (Em, Si, Josh, Joycey, Gage, George) and every member of M Squared CrossFit for motivating, inspiring and helping me to push forward and achieve a more positive and fitter me.
M – Thanks for being such a superstar Andy! Your hard work, dedication and enthusiasm haven’t gone unnoticed! We all think you are Ace and a true representation of what CrossFit and M Squared is all about!
