This Month’s recipient could not have deserved this more. You’ll see in the Q&A below why everyone at Firewall loves Joe so much and draws inspiration from him day after day. This man is the definition of no excuses. Just like so many of us, there’s so many times when he could throw in the towel and say, “I’m all set”, but not Joe. Congratulations my friend!!!
Tell us about your first experience at Firewall?
I had heard about the CrossFit system and although I thought it would be too rigorous for me I wanted to check it out. At my initial meeting with Bucky it didn’t take long to see that it might actually be doable. What struck me right off was that Bucky was long on wanting to know about me, my goals, and what I was looking for in a workout environment. He explained how they could make accommodations in the workouts to help me ramp up. Training and healing at the same time. I was comfortable right from the get go.
Why did you decide to join at the ripe age of 70 years young?
I joined shortly after my 70th birthday. I could feel myself “breaking down” I had undergone shoulder reconstruction surgery and had degenerating vertebrae in my upper spine. I was at a crossroads. I wanted to control the things that I could control to create the highest quality of life I could for myself and in turn for those I care most about.
What would you tell a friend who expressed interest in joining?
I would first ask them if they were looking for a place to work out or are they looking to be COACHED UP! If they are looking to get coached up I would tell them they can get personal attention from great coaches in a self-challenging and supportive group setting where everyone is doing the same “rep scheme” (got that from Damon!) but doing it within their own abilities and goals
What’s your favorite part about CrossFit?
Every workout has been well thought out and the progressions are all about challenging you mentally and physically with an attention to detail. They follow a sequence: Warm ups focusing on heart rate and prepping the muscle groups being emphasized in a particular workout, breaking down each movement into small parts making sure that the technique is right for each, occasionally putting them together for a mini round and then getting into the timed high intensity rep sequence.
What’s your favorite part about Firewall Fitness?
The coaching. Knowing there is going to be guidance, support, feedback and encouragement in every workout from a group coaches who are into making the hour as productive as possible
How has your newfound fitness benefited you outside of the gym?
It has a positive effect on everything I do every day.
What’s your favorite memory from Firewall so far?
The look on Bucky’s face when I answered the “date of birth” question on my sign up sheet.
If you could resurrect anyone from the dead and have a dinner with them who would it be?
I don’t know about dinner, but I wouldn’t mind asking Ben Franklin a few questions.
What place in the world haven’t you been to yet but is on the top of your traveling list?
Not sure if this qualifies for being “in the world” but it would be cool to get high enough into the atmosphere to see the curvature of the earth.
What’s the secret to the more than successful marriage you have.
At some level or to some degree there is a leap of faith, but if you can be true to yourself it is easy to be true to someone else. The rest you have to figure out as you go.