July Spotlight Meet Ryan

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I'm married to Kelsey, and we have two adorable pups named Riley and Kali! I graduated from Texas A&M-College Station in 2015 and began working as a high school Geography teacher at Ellison. I'm a huge sports fan who loves pretty much any sport, but my top teams are San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Angels, and Dallas Cowboys. I love to travel and eat!

How did you get interested in CrossFit?
My sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and a former coworker introduced me to CrossFit back in 2015. I stuck to running (half-marathons and marathons) and lifting weights on my own for a while, but decided to take the plunge in July 2017 to get a little bit more serious about my fitness goals. I've loved it ever since!

When your motivation is down, how do you find the drive to get up and come in? Working out is a big stress reliever, so after a long day of dealing with teenagers it's a way to relax. I also love the community at the gym, so I look forward to seeing all of my friends when I come in.

What is your least favorite movement?
Thrusters. They're evil.

What is the next goal you hope to reach with CrossFit Cataclysm?
To hit #200 on my snatch!

What would you say to someone that has never tried CrossFit and looking to get started?
Any tips or advice? I would tell them that CrossFit IS for everyone because you can change it up to fit your needs. It helps you with everyday life. It'll kick your ass, but you will love yourself after, and the community makes it totally worth it! The coaches help you push through no matter what. Plus it's fun to try new things that you normally wouldn't do on your own in a gym setting, and you'll surprise yourself!

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