From Overweight at 38 to a Two-Time CrossFit Games Champion
Most people I meet assume I've been an athlete my whole life. They're surprised to learn that I only started my fitness journey at 38. I was overweight and terrified, but I transformed myself into a two-time CrossFit Games champion. Here's how I did it.
Changing My Diet
The first significant change I made was paying attention to what I was eating. My typical day used to start with a bowl of cereal, followed by leftover pizza or pasta for lunch, and then pizza and beer for dinner. I was gaining weight and feeling terrible.
A friend suggested that I was eating too many carbs, so I decided to make a change. I started having eggs and broccoli for breakfast and lunch. I also began to cut down on my beer intake, which was a game-changer.
Starting CrossFit
At the same time, I started CrossFit. I was invited to a class, and despite considering myself fit, I was outperformed by everyone there. This was a wake-up call. I started working out six days a week, and although I initially suffered some injuries due to overtraining, I eventually found a balance.
Becoming Competitive
I've always been competitive, and CrossFit gave me an outlet for this. I started to improve and began beating others in workouts. This led me to participate in my first CrossFit competition, where I placed 6th. This sparked a fire in me, and I set my sights on the CrossFit Games.
Training and Nutrition
In 2017, I took my training and nutrition more seriously. I removed grains from my diet, reduced my training volume, and focused on mobility and recovery. I also started sleeping seven to eight hours a night and taking rest days. I realized that to be a competitive athlete, I needed to eat enough food for my activity level.
Winning the CrossFit Games
In 2018, I qualified for the CrossFit Games and placed 3rd. The following year, I won the entire competition. I won again in 2021 and 2022. It took a lot of dedication and sacrifice, but I'm proud of what I've achieved.
Becoming a CrossFit Games champion required serious imbalances in my life. Everything I did was geared towards winning. But it was worth it. I went from being overweight at 38 to a two-time CrossFit Games champion.
If you're looking to start your fitness journey, whether it's losing weight or competing in CrossFit, I'm here to help.
Feel free to reach out to me, and don't forget to stay active and eat healthily.
