July 2018 Athlete of the Month – Daniel Taylor

Meet Daniel “DT” Taylor, our July 2018 Athlete of the Month!  Daniel has been a member of the C3 Community since March of 2017.  Since joining, Daniel has been a focused and committed athlete.  Daniel is a friendly, team player, who can more often than not be found getting his work done at the noon class.  Despite a nagging knee injury, Daniel finds a way to push through his physical ailment in a smart and cautious manner. He takes the necessary steps so he can make it to gym everyday and perform, for this he is a great example to others.  Growing up an athlete, Daniel has found that CrossFit provides a competitive outlet that so many athletes miss when they stop playing sports competitively.  Daniel has put his fitness to the test over the past year, competing in several competitions such as CF XLT Summer Knights, Battle for the Hill, The IceBreather Classic, and the CrossFit Games Open.  Congratulations Daniel, keep up the good work!


1. In general, what is your background?

  • I’m originally from New Orleans, LA and moved to Charleston, IL at the age of 13. I have always been involved in some sort of sport growing up. I played football, basketball and ran track during high school. Out of high school I went to college for a couple of years then decided to join the Army. After a few years of service, I returned to Charleston and finished my degree in Psych/Law at EIU in 2003. Soon after graduating, I moved to Springfield. I am married to Christina and we have three beautiful children, Christopher 9; Nicholas 7; and Sofia 5.

2. Age, Occupation?

  • I will turn 42 in September. I am a Disability Adjudicator for the State.

3. How did you get to know about CrossFit and why did you start?

  • I’ve always tried to stay active and had experimented with a variety of things. Traditional weightlifting 3x/wk-cardio 2 days/wk; P90X; and Insanity. A good friend of mine did CF out of his garage and invited my over for a workout. He said we’d be doing some pull-ups and thrusters. After he explained what thrusters were, I was ready! I remember thinking only two movements? Not bad. Turns out this was “Fran!” I wondered, how could this be so intense and kill me in 8 minutes? I was hooked from then on.

4. How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?

  • CF has changed my way of thinking. A certain mentality kicked in after starting. My perception of how I approach things: in workouts and in multiple facets of life. The discipline and intensity are like none other. I’m more patient with my family and I’m better able to work toward goals in a realistic way.

5. Name one goal and/or personal record you would like to accomplish through CrossFit.

  • I’d love to complete Murph with a vest on. Probably not because I hate running.

6. Favorite CrossFit moment so far?

  • My first Open at C3 this year was great! The atmosphere was exciting. Every week felt like I was getting ready for a football game. I’ll never forget the battle with Anthony Filipiak. It was the WOD with all the DUs/MUs. I hadn’t pushed myself that hard in a very long time. I had NOTHING left.

7. What is your least favorite WOD to date?

  • Battle for the Hill in August ’17. The third WOD was triple Fran with Pull-ups, C2B and Bar MU with hill sprints in between. Pure torture…

8. What do you like most about Capital City CrossFit?

  • The people without a doubt. It’s sounds cliche, but so true. The moment I walked in I’ve never felt so welcomed and comfortable.

9. Favorite exercise?

  • Power cleans

10. Least favorite exercise?

  • Running and DB thrusters. Can’t handle it.

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