What has impressed me the most is seen Brent at his best and after been struck down with illness, he rose through adversity and got straight back on the horse.
Brent is committed, dedicated and hard worker.
Below is Brent`s journey in his own words.
Can you tell us a little about how your CrossFit journey started?
had a taste of crossfit at a large scale gym in the city but it was a very dimmed down version of what crossfit is. That exposure though was enough to plant the seed deep down so that a few years later after not getting any significant results at a regular gym I sought out an actual crossfit box to train at. Training at an actual crossfit box is something I had wanted to do for years and I regret that it took me so long to step foot inside Metal Therapy.
What drew you across to CrossFit Metal Therapy and what has kept you coming back?
After the first trial at Metal Therapy I knew I had found where I wanted to train. Location initially drew me to me to the box but the atmosphere and people are what made me want to stay; I had never experienced the positive attitude and helpfulness that I encountered at Metal Therapy before. Now it’s the challenge of wanting to get better at every aspect of crossfit along with that atmosphere that makes me keep coming back
Everyone at the box has noticed not just your numbers going up, but also the physical changes in you. Can you tell us a little about the changes you are noticing - physical, mental and inside of your training?
Physically I definitely don’t think I have been this fit since my early 20’s. Mentally I am in such a better headspace now than I have ever been, I am loving the extra drive that I have and the fact that I am not as stressed anymore about work as I have an outlet to burn off all that worked derived stress.
ve been very happy with how the numbers have been stacking up lately and the pretty consistent gains are really spurring me on.
Last year you were struck with some ill health and had to stop CrossFit. You had to go back and start again. Can you tell us a little about this? How it impacted you? What mindset you've taken in returning to CrossFit and building your strength and skills back up?
Yeah last year I was hospitalised a couple of times which was a shock for me and my family. I had to have about 3 months off training and a couple of months off work.
When I came back it was a struggle for another few months as I had lost a lot of strength, a lot of weight and had to take it very slow.
Gab helped a lot here by ensuring I didn’t push myself too hard but still pushed enough to progress.
he good thing is I knew where I could be as I had been there before so I had a target to aim for straight away, but now I know that is not where I want to be, I have a young family and want to be in the best physical condition I can be now for them and myself.
It's been noted that you've had a pretty intense and frustrating relationship with Double Unders. But now you're getting them. What's changed in your relationship?
Haha yeah double unders, that’s a battle that I still have a long way to go with. Happily, now I can say that I am moving forward and can string a few together; practise and listening to advice has helped me a lot here. Matt has invested a lot of time in making sure that I am getting better and that along with being extremely frustrated in myself every time we have a WOD with them in it is spurring me onwards.
Rumour has it that you've got this silent competition going with Matt Cooke. Please explain and share a little about how others motivate you to push harder.
I’ve found since my return to the box that having targets to aim towards is the best way to consistently move forwards with my training. With both strength and fitness, finding someone to train with or to compete against is great motivation. Matt does seem to be in my sights a lot to be that target so obviously I am aiming high but I think he is safe for now…
You're a father with a young family. How do you go juggling parenthood, work, family life and training? What's the key to making it all work?
Its tough at times but once again having those targets to aim towards is what keeps me going. I know that I want to spend as much time as possible with my family so early morning training generally fits in the best there and I want to train at least 4-5 times a week but when work dictates that an early morning is out then flexible work conditions and an extremely understanding wife is the only way to make it happen.
Okay, so you've got the Double Unders down pat. What's your next most dreaded movement and why?
Definitely not a dreaded movement but I really want to improve my snatch and get that movement sorted and make some gains. Practise, practise practise is going to be the key there and listening to Gab.
readed movement would be thrusters just because of the pure pain that they bring L
What's are your other favourites and what's to love about them?
My two favourite movements are the over head squat and rope climbs, the later I seem to have a good ability to perform at a respectable pace and the former is just a movement that I really enjoy, I would love to get a 100kg OH squat by the end of the year.
Everyone comes to the box for different reasons and has their own path. What is CrossFit for you?
Initially Crossfit is my release from the rest of my world and a way to improve myself mentally and physically but its also a great way to be part of a great movement and interact with a lot of like minded driven people. The people are such a massive part of Metal Therapy and I doubt there is a box anywhere else in Melbourne that has an atmosphere like it.
It's time for the real Brent to please stand up. We want to know a little more about you, so tell us your answers to these questions:
.... if your life could be summarised in a song title, what would it be?
The Man – Aloe Blacc
.... if your life was turned into a movie, which actor would you choose to play you and why? Denzel Washington. For no other reason than he is a cool mother f#$ker who gets s$#t done, not sure how that fits with my life or how well he resembles me but lets move on.
.... there's an entry for Brent Alford in the Oxford dictionary. What's the definition read?
Quiet, well-spoken person who is slightly arrogant and doesn’t like to be touched.
.... if you could travel back in time, who would you want to spend a day with and why?
My Grandfather in the early 1980’s. the things I learned from that man have formed me and I think made me a better person. The skills and life lessons he taught me only scratched the surface of what he knew and could offer so to go back to a time when he was in the prime would be amazing
.... if you could choose to remain one age forever, what age would you choose and why?
Initially I would say 23 as that year was a lot of fun but I think I would quickly change that to my age now (37) as I have the most amazing family and my daughter is a great age right now.
.... if you were told you were about to eat your last meal, what would you choose to eat?
Fresh venison steak with fried eggs – sounds strange but best meal I have ever had.
.... if you woke up one day and were Prime Minister, what would be the first thing you would do?
I would change the equality laws that are currently ridiculously absurd. It would probably be too short a time to make any significant changes but that is one law that could be implemented immediately.
.... if you were a superhero, what would your super-name and super power be?
already am for my daughter - Super Dad – being the best dad in the world.
You're still CrossFitting in a year's time. What does CrossFit Brent look like then?
e will be able to complete multiple muscle ups, handstand walks and handstand push ups and obviously absolutely smash out the double unders!
In the middle of a WOD, what animal would best represent you?
A Chimpanzee – just waiting for the rope climbs….
You've been asked to write a sales pitch for Crossfit. How would you pitch it?
nly the Toughest of Mind need Apply!!!
CrossFit Inc. decide to name and design a WOD in your honour. What would the 'Brent' WOD be?
For Time:
30 cal row
50 wall balls
10 rope climbs
50 wall balls
30 cal row