25

Apr / 11

Guest Post: Flowers For the Trainers
Categories: Workout of the Day

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Saturday's Deck WOD

Brian was recently self-promoted to the level of moderator on our site (as you many have seen in recent comments). As you may have noticed before, he has shown his chops in past articles and smart ass (yet wonderfully articulated) comments, so I dared him to write a guest post…or two. Quite the comedic wordsmith, Brian may have secured himself a recurring (ahem, permanent) role as a columnist!

by Brian, aka Sweet Cheeks, Pork Chop, FG

Everyone loves to feel appreciated, however most of the time those closest to you seem to be taken most for granted. I think the best way I can explain what I mean is use an example from my own life. My mom loves to tell a story about how my father would only give her flowers when she gave birth (obviously adorning her with roomfuls when she gave birth to a fine specimen such as myself… but I digress). It wasn’t that my dad didn’t love her unconditionally or appreciate what she did; it was that life got in the way. A young family, trying to make a living… all the issues life throws at you. Plus he’s a man… and we just don’t think that way (ladies give your men a free pass or two from time to time).

The story always resonated with me and ive attempted to show my appreciation when it is warranted. Note I said try, as I have a few things working against me. I’m a guy.. .last time I checked, so I’m not wired that way and I live a hectic life. So sometimes I need to hit the pause button and rectify this.

One of these instances came rather recently, and started harmlessly as a joke. Ruth and Sean were joking with me about writing a post, and that’s what got the ball rolling. I got to thinking, sure.. why not. I feel I’m a halfway decent writer and probably could tell a good story or lie my a$$ off if I can’t come up with something. Well, the task ended up being tougher than I thought, what do I write about?, how can I make it entertaining?, I don’t know much technical stuff, where do I do the research… and most of all I DON’T have time for this! While I struggled with topics and prose, I had an epiphany. Our trainers do this week over week, and while it may not always be Hemmingway it’s always informative and there is no day that I miss checking the site. How do they do this?! And there it was, I hit the pause button and realized how much I’ve taken them for granted.

Writing posts is just the tip of the iceberg though. Most really have no idea how much time and effort goes into making this gym work. The phenomenal part of this is that most of our trainers have full time jobs OUTSIDE of training multiple classes a week (Ruth even working most of the time CFI has been in existence). Even Avelyne, who is rarely in the state let alone gym adjacent, comes in when she can to coach. It proves their love and dedication our trainers have to the gym and most of all its athletes. They give up weekends for Saturday class and competitions, where they are rarely (if not never) absent and obviously needed the most. They are the first ones to show up and the last to leave. They have to deal with all of our personalities, good and bad days, our crankyness, our complaining, our questions, our injuries, our third grade mentality and immature jokes. They beam with pride with our gains and stand beside you on your failures only to offer solutions to get you to succeed. They are the voice of reason, a screaming motivation mid workout and the accountability we all need. No matter if you are learning the basics or a crafty veteran, they always have something to teach… it’s simply amazing. I could go on forever; their dedication continues to astound me everyday.

I went home the other day and saw a nice bouquet of flowers in a vase on the table….Dad’s learning. Well, here’s my bouquet to our trainers, you have no idea how much of an impact you have had on my life and for that I can never thank you enough. There aren’t enough words to express how much I appreciate all you do for us. I’m very proud to continue to learn from you guys… yes even you Marcus….don’t make me push the sled.

Post your appreciation and let the love-fest begin.

Elisabeth's first month at CFI

A huge congrats to Elisabeth who just got her Level I Cert at CrossFit Charlottesville this past weekend. She started with us in December of 2009 and made great gains in the three short months she was with us. I was stoked to see her post PRs from time to time on Facebook but was so proud when I got a message from her about getting certified and now coaching at CrossFit Tyson’s Corner! Keep up the great work, Elisabeth!

WOD 04.25.11

Press 5×3 or Wendler

4 Rounds for time:
10 Push Jerk
20 Kettlebell Swings
40 Kayaks
*modified from CF Inland Valley*

13 Responses to “Guest Post: Flowers For the Trainers”

melissa
April 25, 2011 at 7:16 AM

well said, brian! i agree from top to bottom. love you, RAMS. you guys are the number one reason to keep coming back to CFI. the prodigal daughter will return one of these days. :)

Michelle
April 25, 2011 at 8:33 AM

I love this post and I love CFI! Crossfit is so much more than an ass-kicking workout for all if us. CFI is a family and a home. I’m sure a lot of us have dropped into other crossfits while traveling and we all come back saying the same thing…”It’s just not the same.”

The time and dedication our trainers put into making us better and stronger is unparalleled. The supportive atmosphere we have all starts with our trainers and their everlasting encouragement. They push us while watching out that we don’t push too hard and use bad form, get hurt, or do too much weight (ahem…Jason and Scott). They are constantly learning and keep us learning as they teach us new progressions and new skills.

CFI has become such a huge part of my life. As soon as I wake up I read the post, get excited to go in that day, and I get pissed when I can’t make it.

Thank you trainers for all that you do for us! You are the best!

Alia
April 25, 2011 at 9:24 AM

o.0 <— shocked and awe face. Awesome post Brian! Definite kudos for our trainers. They are always there to answer questions, help and genuinely want to see us succeed. Thanks to the trainers for making us stronger and for all of your support. I love you all, even when you swap heavier weights in (Seeeaaaan). I appreciate all of your efforts and hard work. Brian, thank you for writing this post. I look forward to reading more of your columns.

Michael H
April 25, 2011 at 9:47 AM

Outstanding Brian! You are 200% right. We definitely have it good, all that blood sweat and tears that the R.A.M.S. shell out every day to keep us going is beyond what anyone could expect in any gym. You guys are unbelievable!

As I raise my paleo/gluten free/Whole 30 imaginary beer, I say Cheers to our trainers, Sean, Ruth, Avelyne and the almighty Emperor

Pooja
April 25, 2011 at 10:01 AM

Brian, i couldn’t have said it better!!! great post :)

ruth/sean/marcus/avelyne… thank you for everything you do! brian is right, you have to put up with so many kids and their whining, crying, complaining.. and frankly, its impressive that you have so much patience! thank you so for everything you do and always supporting us :)

Becky
April 25, 2011 at 10:48 AM

so well said Brian!
RAMS is the bomb and deserves props time and time again. you all put so much time into this community and its success shows that.
you have a unique community CFI. don’t take it for granted. i’m missing it so much. i always looked forward to coming into the gym to see all my friends and work together. such a great feeling and amazing way to end my day. I still come into work and read your posts that are always loaded with great information and love reading everyone’s progress, two cents and smart-assery.
i miss my 7pms with marcus. so thankful for giving me a solid foundation in CrossFit.

i’ve seen a lot of new faces, so great…don’t lose that homey-family feeling.
keep it solid CFI.

congrats Elisabeth!!!

Nik Werre
April 25, 2011 at 11:34 AM

Great post!
- I’ve only known the coaches for a little bit but I can tell from their attitude and wealth of knowledge that this is where I belong, and can’t wait to come back Saturday!

Thanks for everything!

Nik

Jason B.
April 25, 2011 at 12:01 PM

Excellent post, Brian!

I think it was Woodrow Wilson who said, “Leadership does not always wear the harness of compromise, but can be found wearing a singlet at times!”

I look forward to going to CFI because of the instruction, conversation, atmosphere, camraderie and competition that Ruth, Sean, Marcus, Avelyne and Jake foster. Thank you.

Anna
April 25, 2011 at 12:11 PM

I love my boyfriend for his spontaneous demonstration of appreciation. See, I told you guys his isn’t always grumpy!

And I echo everybody else’s praise. We have it good…

Thanks Mom, Dad, Aunt Avelyne, and Mr. Clean and Jerk for building our family and working to make it better every day!

kathy
April 25, 2011 at 1:12 PM

Brian – youse a talented writer! One of the first posts I ever read on this site was your Thanksgiving post which I thoroughly enjoyed. I particularly like your internal monologue in this one on deciding to agree to guest post.

CFI trainers – you guys do so much for us. Know that we appreciate it and notice the time and effort spent in running our box and helping us to become stronger people in more ways than one.

Scott
April 25, 2011 at 4:15 PM

Very well written Brian. I couldn’t agree more with everything you said and everything my fellow Intrepids have added.

I feel very lucky to be a part of the CFI Family and to have Ruth, Sean, Marcus, Avelyne, and Jake teaching, helping, encouraging, pushing, and protecting us every day. Thanks for everything!

Holley
April 25, 2011 at 6:24 PM

Great post Brian! Be careful…if you get too good you’ll have to become a regular writer.

Everyone has already said it so well. I think we all feel blessed to be a part of the CFI family created by our wonderful trainers. I came out to California about a year ago knowing absolutely no one and thanks in large part to CFI this place is really starting to feel like home. I feel like I have come such a long way in the last 9 months, all thanks to the dedication of Ruth, Sean, Marcus, Avelyne and Jake. We’re a lucky group, thanks trainers!

Xuan
April 25, 2011 at 7:18 PM

For all the reasons mentioned above and hundreds more that don’t come to mind right now…we have the best gym!!

I anxiously await future prose from Brian Hemingway.
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