Congratulations to Gary Frank on earning Athlete of the Month honors for October! Gary – a husband, father, and avid hunter and skier has been a member of the C3 community since January of 2018. Gary started CrossFit at the age of 50. At that time, he was looking for direction when it came to his health and fitness. Since joining, Gary has become a devoted, hard-working athlete of C3, and he now finds himself in the best shape of his adult life. When Gary started, he could hold his own in the strength department, but he had some deficiencies in other aspects of his fitness such as flexibility, mobility, and endurance. Through commitment and consistency, we have seen Gary drastically improve on these weaknesses. He has clearly become more efficient with the olympic lifts and also with the more advanced gymnastics movements such as toes-to-bar, chest-to-bar pull-ups, and handstand push-ups.
Shortly after drinking the CrossFit Kool-Aid, Gary talked his sons Micah and Asher into getting in on the fun. Later, his wife Jennifer joined the C3 community, and now they can all be found working out at the box three to five times a week!
In general, what is your background?
I grew up on a small livestock farm south of Cantrall and attended Athens high school. I graduated from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale in Dec 1990 and started my career in sales. I married my wife Jennifer in June of 1996. We have three sons Christian (20), Micah (16), & Asher (13). We live in rural Menard County between Athens and Springfield.
I recently retired from Ecolab after 25 years in sales and sales management. My first passion is bow hunting all kinds of big game animals. I spend most of my spare time hunting. My second passion is skiing. I love to combine my two passions with travel and go to new and interesting places to ski or pursue wild game.
Age, Occupation?
I am 51 and recently retired. However, I plan to start a new career ( yet to be determined) after a long break.
How did you get to know about CrossFit and why did you start?
Why CrossFit? In April of 2018 I turned 50! Not only did I turn 50, I looked and felt 50. My poor work life balance, diet, travel schedule, coaching kids sports, and other excuses had taken their toll. I did not like the way 50 looked or felt. So I decided to take a stand!!! I was determined to never turn 50 again. On a recommendation from my sister I decided to find a CrossFit gym. C3 was the first place I called. I spoke to Brian and found out that an on ramp class was starting in just a few hours. I showed up for the class and that has been one of the best decisions of my life.
How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
I remember my first 6 weeks were really hard. I was so incredibly sore all the time. I remember thinking that I would never be able to RX a workout. Then in June I attempted my first RX WOD. It was 50lb DB snatches, Box Jumps, & Burpees. I was really struggling throughout the WOD. I was the last person to finish. I was so thankful to have many of the C3 family surround me as I struggled to cheer me on to the finish. Now at 51 ½ I am in the best shape of my life. I love the competitive yet friendly family environment. I find that I push myself much harder through CrossFit than I did when I worked out alone. No one wants to be on the bottom of the sugar WOD list.
After I had such a positive experience with CrossFit I urged my family to join. First my two sons Micah & Asher joined. My wife was hesitant to join at first. She is a runner and was reluctant to make changes to her workout routine. However, after about 10 months of watching her sons passion and development she decided to join. We are now a CrossFit family. I love working out as a family. It does my heart good!!
Name one goal and/or personal record you would like to accomplish through CrossFit.
Muscle up.
Favorite CrossFit moment so far?
The best moment so far was seeing Asher finish 20.1 under the time cap and witnessing Micah land his first muscle up. The pride and excitement in their faces upon those achievements was priceless.
What is your least favorite WOD to date?
Thrusters & Burpees combo WODs.
What do you like most about Capital City CrossFit?
The community centered culture that exists not only at C3 but throughout the CrossFit community at large. I have visited lots of boxes during my travels and they all are very welcoming and friendly.
Favorite exercise?
Clean & Jerk and the built in rest during partner WODS.
Least favorite exercise?
Thrusters
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