[vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]Athlete of the Month: Mike Harrison
Why Mike??
Mike will be the first to admit, he has some mobility issues. Being 6’8 and grabbing a bar that is 9″ off the floor is a whole lot harder then for someone who isn’t so tall. Mike has taken action to improve weaknesses. He does daily ROMWODs and always shows up to class early to prime his body for the class ahead. Mike is a smart guy, he knows that a life of inactive and computer work has put him behind the 8 ball. He has been with for 2 years and continues to get better through the whole spectrum of CrossFit.
Not only has Mike taken action to improve his fitness, he has that sense of community. With the new year, 8 Mile has had a bunch of new members who have come to “Friday Night Lights” not knowing what was going on. Mike has been with that new member every step of the way as they perform the Open WODs. We talk so much about how community is what sets CrossFit apart from other gyms. Mike helps us drive that point home with the prime example I just shared. Mike is CrossFit 8 Mile’s athlete of the month.
My Path to Crossfit:
13 years ago, I was an unathletic couch potato who was 100 lbs overweight, pre-hypertensive on medication, and pre-diabetic. My wife, Elaine, convinced me it was time for a change. It started with a diet, which led to taking an exercise class once a week at the Livonia Rec Center. Rapidly, I moved from taking classes once a week to taking classes four times a week. Unfortunately, my fitness journey came to a screeching halt when I injured my knee training for my first half-marathon which required surgery to fix. At this point, my health was improved but I was still fighting some weight issues and pre-hypertension.
During my knee rehab, Elaine joined Crossfit 8 Mile. She would come home regaling me with stories about all the different workouts she was doing and all the wonderful people she was meeting. I could see the progress she was making. She then signed up for a rookie competition. Going to cheer her on, I was exposed to the Crossfit community. From that moment, I wanted to be a part of that community, but I felt I was not ready mentally or physically. Luckily, Crossfit 8 Mile was hosting a Friends and Family drop in which I decided to attend. After the workout, I was able to spend some time talking with Coach Nick. I explained my knee issues and expressed my concern that I would not be able to keep up with what the class was doing or that I would further injure my knee. Nick took the time to explain to me how each workout could be scaled to meet the needs of each participant and that he felt that doing these workouts would actually help strengthen my knee. I signed up for my on ramp sessions on the spot.
That moment was two years ago. This week, I just got the results from my yearly physical and my doctor reported that my health numbers are all exactly in line with a perfectly healthy individual.
My Crossfit Goals:
When presented with the question “What are your Crossfit goals?”, I first started thinking about things like “I want to do a 400 lb deadlift!” or “It would be great to clean and jerk 200 lbs.” or “Grace in under 5 minutes Rx? No, problem!” In the end, it came down to something simpler but also more profound. My Crossfit goal is to get better each day. If I do that, any other goal will be achievable.
Oh, and I would actually like to be able to do a hand stand. :-P[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]