SEPTEMBER: JOEY GARRETT

US Marine Joey Garrett is our Athlete of the Month!

Joey visiting the Iwo Jima memorial.

​This 56 year-old marine has been CrossFitting for just over 6 months ... and he's counting every WOD. For real. Today was #137.

Favorite WOD:  
Anything with Running
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Least Favorite WOD: Anything with handstand pushups or double-unders (Have not mastered either, YET!)

How/Why did you start CrossFit?  
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11 years after retiring from the United States Marine Corps in 2006, I was missing the accountability & camaraderie.The challenges of CrossFit and the WOD have provided that for me.  ​

Take us back to your first WOD... what was it, and how did it feel?
It felt great that everyone shared their motivation AND misery. It appeared everyone had a shared goal of maximizing their individual efforts and encouraged others to do the same.

What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health, and fitness since starting CrossFit (before/after)?  

​I had gained almost 80 lbs in the 11 years after retiring from the military. Within 100 WODs, I had already lost 25 lbs and felt stronger and definitely had more energy.

​What sort of changes in your life have you experienced from taking on CrossFit that were totally unexpected?  

I did not expect my body to feel so sore and so good at the same time. You get to the point that you feel bad if / when you miss a WOD. Surprisingly, Crossfit has helped with my endurance while jogging.

There are days for everyone when you just don’t want to work out. How do you handle those? 

I start my day with the 5:30 a.m. class and I purposely do not look at the WOD Blog until I am out of the shower and dressed to workout. That way I will have a serious guilt trip if I crawl back into bed.  

Please share with us your favorite CrossFit / CFT moments.
Anytime I can reach PR and/or see others do the same. It means we are working hard to challenge ourselves and thus; changing ourselves.

​Any advice for people just getting started?

When you start, keep at it.  Physical Fitness is a slow process.  Not starting or quitting does not speed it up!  
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What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit?

I enjoy spending time with my wife, completing Marathons / Half-Marathons and working outside on my property.
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What is your superpower? 

Stick-to-it-iveness

Joey's Running Medals!