Congratulations to Terry Schaddel – our February Athlete of the Month! Terry has been at Capital City CrossFit for several years now. In his time here, Terry has seen great improvements in his health and fitness. Terry is as consistent as they come. Like clockwork, he can be found at the 5:00am class Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Despite the early morning grog, Terry always comes in with bells on. He always brings a positive attitude, and is willing to lend a helping hand, or crack a funny joke. Despite the crazy year that was 2020, Terry stayed with it. He completed the Home WODs while under quarantine and was the first one back when we started classes back up in June. This hard work has led Terry to some nice lifting PRs as of late, which is great to see for someone who puts in the work like he does. Terry is also moving much better than he did when he first started. I think it’s safe to say that Terry is in better shape now in his late sixties than he was in his early sixties, and that’s what it’s all about! Congratulations Terry!
In general, what is your background?
I am a local guy, born here in Springfield. My father’s side of the family is from Ashland and Pleasant Plains (I am related to Brad B. by marriage-poor guy) and my mother’s family is from the southwest side of Chicago I graduated high school from Griffin and also got a Bachelor’s and Masters’ Degrees of Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois. I am married to my lovely wife Sherry for over 35 years and we have one son Michael who I am very proud of who lives in St. Charles, MO.
Age, Occupation?
I am 68 years young (presently the second oldest member of the gym) and retired from the State three years ago as the Airport Planning Engineer and Environmental Officer. A formable job title but it didn’t give me the authority to give out tickets for flatulence. Today, I am a “fully-retired and fulltime” Airport Engineer and Terminal Designer for a large engineering firm here in Springfield. And no, I do not know where your luggage is.
How did you get to know about CrossFit and why did you start?
Until introduced to CrossFit at an On Ramp session, I knew very little about CrossFit. I have a buddy, who at the time was heavily into CrossFit at C3. He pushed me to join and finally I took the plunge. I still remember him yelling at me during On Ramp “breathe Terry”. Those first couple of sessions were very daunting. Back then On Ramp was sometimes conducted concurrently with a regular class. On Rampers were in the adjacent room now used for storage. We would periodically watch the class “next door” with awe. Barbells and plates flying, boxes being jumped on, ropes being skipped and dumbbells being hoisted into the air. Questioning our thought process in being there and wondering if some day we would make it in the “big” room.
How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
I have always struggled with my weight and still do. Prior to C3, my fitness routine was to go run a couple of miles. Not very satisfying. Today I am healthier than I have ever been. I am a 5amer which does take some getting used to. It requires you to manage you sleep cycle. Getting up at 4am is now second nature for me and rarely do I not beat the alarm clock buzzer. I now try to make healthy food choices. CrossFit has been a large part of that lifestyle change.
Name one goal and/or personal record you would like to accomplish through CrossFit.
As lousy as 2020 was and always will be, I accomplished a personal record by back squatting 300 pounds. It was something that I had been pursuing and lifting that weight was my way of sticking my foot up Covid’s posterior. My future goals could be to back squat 350, maybe and getting more upper body strength for pull up work.
Favorite CrossFit moment so far?
This is a question that cannot be answered. To me every day and every class is a new adventure and they are all favorite moments. It impossible to single one out of hundreds. One unfavorite moment was when as part of the warm up we would back pedal the length of the gym. One day I admit that I was goofing off and fell on my butt. The major damage was my bruised ego. From then on we never back pedaled again in a warm up. I feel responsible. Sorry Brian.
What is your least favorite WOD to date?
Any WOD that takes us outside during inclement weather and any WOD will a lot of burpees.
What do you like most about Capital City CrossFit?
It is cliché but it is absolutely true. It is the people. It is a community. I have developed new and wonderful friends who are always there during a WOD to shout encouragement. All the coaches including the gym’s favorite “large human” Scott, are always there to help and critique. I am also very attached to all the 5amers. It is definitely a separate breed. Finally, I offer my total respect and admiration to Brian who runs his “adult day care” with total professionalism, technical prowess and a little Fireball. What more could you ask for in life.
Favorite exercise?
Back squats, of course
Least favorite exercise?
Burpees.
