Coach Hot Josh, We’re Gonna Miss You Buddy!

2 Rounds:
Run 200m
rest 1:1
Run 400m
rest 1:1
Run 600m
rest 1:1

For time:
50 GHD Situps

Well, when life throws you lemons, you’ve got to make lemonade. I’m happy and proud to announce that I’ve been offered a position and an amazing opportunity to work for a tech start-up company in San Francisco. It will be a very exciting adventure for me and I’m ready to take part in their vision of changing the world as we know it. Unfortunately, this comes with leaving my family, friends, and my life here in Sacramento. This saddens me tremendously and I will miss you all so much.

I first came to CrossFit East Sacramento in 2009. I was a Group-X instructor at 24Hr Fitness with an athletic background that mainly included soccer and volleyball. I was at a point where I knew fitness was very important to me but I didn’t know what to do with it or where to take it. I was bored doing the same bodybuilding workouts at the globo-gym by myself. My brothers roommate at the time was new to Sacramento and joined this new thing called Crossfit. The more I heard about it and how much she was enjoying it, the more I wanted a piece. I called CFES and Justin signed me up the next day. I was NOT prepared for the life change that this place provided for me. I had no idea I would be falling in love with such a growing sport and I don’t think anyone expected CrossFit to be what it is today. CrossFit is CrossFit. But what made my experience with this sport so special is CrossFit East Sac. The coaching, the community, I drank the koolaid and I liked it. I liked it a lot.

This was the time before our OnRamp program. In fact, there was only one level of classes. Jumping right in to working out with the big boys, and being the competitive person that I am, this was quite the ego smash. My squat was so bad (flexibility and strength) I was told to lift in the back with the old guys (remember this Dave Mering?!)! I wasn’t even allowed to put weight on the bar for an overhead squat because I couldn’t get myself into a safe position. As much as I hated this struggle, I’m so thankful and it is because of great coaching that I haven’t injured myself during my time here. Great coaching is priceless and so important to success with this program. I was stoked and proud to be a part of this place and to learn from the best in the area. On November 11, 2009, I got a 3rep max front squat PR of 135# (BOOM!).

Over the years, I have grown so much as a human being and CFES has been there every step of the way. Becoming stronger, both mentally and physically, along with surrounding myself with some of the best people I could ever ask to call friends, has helped mold the person I am today. With CFES and CrossFit competition, I have overcome rejection and defeat. I have risen above embarrassment and learned to push through what seemed at the time to be impossible struggles.

Chris, Justin, Travis, Aaron: I can’t thank you enough for everything you have provided and everything you’ve done to push me toward bigger things than I thought possible. I respect you all in so many ways but one quality you have that I truly admire is your hunger for more and willingness to learn new ways to get the best outcome. After teaching for so long, I imagine it would be only natural to fall into a routine. Being masters of your craft, it would be easy to get set in your ways; especially in such a small pond. I admire how you’re still learning; being trained on your own by masters of specific crafts such as gymnastics and by Mark Bell, one of the most respected powerlifters in the world. We all at CFES benefit from this knowledge you acquire elsewhere and bring to the table.

People of CFES- where do I begin? There are way too many people to name, so I wont even go there. To every single one of you: thank you for making this place what it is and improving the quality of our gym. My experience at CFES wouldn’t have been the same without watching so many personal accomplishments and breakthroughs. As a coach, there’s no better reward than to have your people moving well and improving the quality of their life through fitness and what they CAN do rather than restrictions with what they can’t. I hope I have influenced and helped you as much as you all have done for me. I love you all so much.

The time for me to spread my wings and fly is now. I am ready for what is to come and prepared for the drastic changes my life is about to experience. I’m very excited and scared out of my mind. I just want to thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for all the love and support. I’m not moving far. I hope to visit often and when I do, I’ll do my best to stop in for a workout and say hello. The people I’ve met, the friends I’ve acquired, and those who I now consider family through CFES: I am forever grateful. This isn’t goodbye, but until next time, cheers!

Much love to you all.

Josh