Meet Beau...

Happy Monday Folks--

This morning we profile Beau. He epitomizes our mission of making athletes better at the things they like to do outside of the gym. He's a wealth of information on exploring the mountains, rivers, and trails in our area as he spends every free minute he can scrape together out there. He's a pretty darn nice guy, too.

When did you start at Catacombs and why? I started CrossFit about a year ago and have been working out at Catacombs since May of 2014. I grew up playing traditional team sports, and as a teenager, all I saw was where baseball and basketball could take me. Now that I am older and can look back, I realize that there was a whole lot more going on. CrossFit has provided me with a great outlet for that competitive spirit and drive, while also offering some of those team elements, particularly the comaraderie. Walking into the gym every morning and seeing the same faces, and knowing that those folks are there for you is huge. It adds an element of a accountability. At face value, CrossFit provides tremendous physical gains, but for me the biggest gains have been in my mental and emotional strength. Making a mistake or continually struggling to get a movement right requires an incredible amount of mental and emotional capacity through staying positive and finding ways to move on from those mistakes. I find those skills to be very translatable into everyday life.  

What do you do to pay the bills? My year round, day-to-day job is working for the Wyss Foundation, a non-profit land conservation organization. In the spring-time, I coach baseball at Durango High School. 

How do you like to spend your time when not at work or the gym? Well, I have a lot of energy! Oddly enough, I consider waking up for a 5:30 AM class sleeping in. We only have 24 hours a day, so when I am not at the gym or work, I am out there doing something productive! I am an avid mountain biker, fat biker, backcountry skier, whitewater kayaker, and mountain goer. I don't like sitting around or burning daylight, so when I am around the house, I am working on my bikes or reading up on information that will make me more effective at work. Quiet time comes from 5 - 8 PM when I can watch the Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, or Bruins.   

What do you want to see on the whiteboard when you walk in for a workout (favorite movements, time domains, workout style, etc.)? I like working with a barbell and mixing 400-800 meter runs. Movements from the ground up (snatches, cleans, deadlifts, etc.) are probably my favorite. I always look forward to specific strength training lifts (squats, deadlifts, presses, etc.) prior to or after a workout.  

What gives you a sense of dread when you see it on the whiteboard? Definitely the handstand push-ups. They take every bit of mental and physical strength and energy right out of me.  

How do you use your fitness outside of the gym or why do you care about being fit? Being able to wake up everyday knowing that I am in the best shape of my life is a great feeling. And to surround myself with people who feel the same way is huge! I spend a lot of my time in the woods, so when I am out on Red Mountain Pass laying a skin track, bikepacking through the San Juan high country or just in the midst of a 'sufferthon', I know I can rely on my training a bit to keep my body and mind moving effectively and efficiently.  

What's your favorite motivational quote, song, or ritual? So many great quotes! I am one of the only people I know that actually prefers to workout in silence. I read a great quote the other day, 

"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence. Regardless of their chosen field or endeavor" - Vince Lombardi.  

Name one thing you want to achieve in the gym in 2015. Just one! 185 lbs snatch would be pretty sweet, but that might be more like 2016.  

What else do you have to say for yourself? I want to thank my good friend, Parker Quimby for turning me onto CrossFit last year, Coach Terene Foutz for coaching me through my first four months of CrossFit, as well as Coach Suzanne Schieltz for always being a such a positive influence on my life. She not only inspired me to start CrossFit, but utilize it as a method for increasing my overall quality of life. And of course Tracie and Tom for all of their hard work and dedication towards building such an incredible community that I am so grateful to be apart of.  

We would like to say how grateful we are to have Beau in our community as well. His commitment to excellence, willingness to be coached and genuine desire to see those around him get better makes are a few of the many things that make Beau such a huge asset to Catacombs.