Tim Armstrong

Coming from the military, I’ve seen how a group of people can motivate each other to get through some fairly unpleasant tasks together. I find that CFC is a strikingly similar parallel. It’s incredibly motivating to be surrounded every day by so many hardworking people, each one knowing exactly how everyone else is feeling in the middle of a difficult WOD, which leads to everyone actually caring about one another. It’s a level of empathy you just don’t find at other gyms, where the people just stare into the mirror at their biceps…not that I haven’t been guilty of that in the past haha.

Squats are great, front, back, overhead, doesn’t matter, I’ve made a lot of progress with them this year. But gymnastics are pretty much the worst. Someday soon I hope to figure out the elusive handstand push-up that everyone seems to have so much fun doing, and after that, a muscle up.

Anything that Coach Jason wants to spin is fine by me! As far as a celebrity, I’ve got to go with Dwayne Johnson because it seems like acting comes second to lifting for him. I don’t think you’ll ever see the Rock drop 100lbs just to get a role in a movie, it would ruin his bench press.

Having to buy smaller pants! That one was unexpected. I just recently did my first Rx+ workout; it was quite difficult but I expect to get through more of them, and faster, as my time at CFC continues.

Taylor – Somehow whenever Taylor tells you that you’re able to lift a weight that you haven’t tried before, you just do it. He’s very in tune to the capabilities of each of the athletes at CFC, and that’s a lot of people to keep track of. His own success in the gym is also an example to everyone of what can be accomplished through hard work and consistency.

Jason – I have sweat to the oldies with Jason many a weekend and it’s always a blast! He always has a strategy for getting through difficult WODs that I would never have thought of. His style of dance is best classified as…unique.

Matt – I’ll have to check, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Matt isn’t actually on CFC’s payroll; rather he is paid for his coaching efforts in the grimaces and groans of his clients. I really appreciate Matt’s sports training background, it keeps our training in perspective and reminds me that I can use this new-found fitness for other things, not just Crossfit!

Jenna – No one escapes the watchful eye of Jenna. She is quick to point out any bad habits that you might have and will not leave until you have both found a way to correct them. If you show up a little early you can usually see Jenna just finish the workout that you’re about to do, put the weights down, and immediately start teaching the next class. It’s impressive.

Michelle – Michelle is like a rare Pokemon. I seldom get a chance to see her because I refuse to wake up for the 6AM class, but that time-slot is always packed so she must be doing something right. She also teaches at 7PM, after she’s done work, which makes for a seriously long day! When a coach has energy like that you know that you are going to be put to work.

Shane – What do you say about Coach Hancock? I’ve recently come to realize that Shane is a master of Crossfit psychology. Many a time he has tricked me into working harder then I think I can, and every time I walk in the gym I’m greeted by a, “What’s up big guy?” I’m not going to lie, it feels great.

I’ve got a fairly intensive Air Force training course starting in October, it lasts about 12 months and will be quite demanding so my focus right now is on finishing that. I have no doubt that CFC will be there to help me bust up my stress in the evenings!

I am not a summer person. I actually spent five summers in a row working in the Arctic. I was 26 when I realized I hadn’t bought a new pair of shorts since I was 19. You haven’t lived till you’ve experienced double winter!