I have known Dave for several years now, the improvements he has made since are quite remarkable and along the way we have also built an amazing friendship.
Dave is committed, a hard worker, not to mention absolutely passionate!
Below is Dave`s journey in his own words.
You are one of the longest standing members of the box. Tell us about your CrossFit story from the beginning.
I was a reluctant participant early. I was quite happy and comfortable going through my own weights / body building routine at a different gym when I first meet coach Gab, who was a PT at said gym. I couldn't help but notice that Gab stood out as a trainer for all the right reasons and he was certainly getting his clients to do things I hadn't seen. Curiosity got the better of me, so I hired him as a trainer and we formed a great bond. So when he left to open CFMT I felt a strong desire to support him and I have stuck to it since. This has cliche written all over it, but its been a fantastic journey of self improvement and self discovery.
Do you remember the first WOD you did and what your thoughts were about it?
I can't remember my first WOD at all but I do remember being ridiculously cardio unfit when I joined CFMT and even the warm ups would leave me really struggling. Easily the most memorable WOD from early on though was Open workout 14.5. It took me to the deepest and darkest places of the hurt-locker I have been, I quit the WOD and CF and almost my life 5 times. But ultimately I finished it and it still provides motivation to me now. I was shown up by just how one dimensional my training had been and how poor I was, and I hated that feeling.
CrossFit can be transformative. In what ways has it transformed you?
Physically, my overall fitness has improved from posture, to cardio, to strength to even flexibility, albeit that still is my weakest point. Mentally there is also a transformation but that is harder to articulate, but it does include increased confidence, mental toughness and fortitude.
You're an inspiration around the box for changing things in your life that no longer serve you - from career decisions to health choices. Tell us a little about this and what advice do you have for others who are in a place of wanting to change up their life?
I feel embarrassed answering this one because each of those decisions was monumental to me and some were years in the making, so I don't feel like an inspiration.
Talking of change and wanting change are two different things. If you want it, then you will find ways to make it happen. You may need advice on strategies and little tips along the way on the best method, but its the want that is paramount. If its lack of self belief holding a person back from change, and it usually is, then spill your guts to those closest to you, as you will need support.
It's been a hard year (or more) for you with injuries to your shoulder and knee. But you've stayed focused on your CrossFit journey even in times when you've felt frustrated about it. Can you tell us a little about what kept you focused and your mindset in this time?
It has been a frustrating time because just when you feel you are making solid progress, you get a reminder that basketball beat you up pretty good all those years ago and you need to be smarter. So what I am learning, but still haven't mastered, is to pay much closer attention to how my body feels. When to go hard, when to back off, when to stretch and recover etc... Also, there is something deep in my DNA which refuses to quit or walk away until I feel like I have given it my best.
You are by far the tallest guy in our box. We know CrossFit can favour smaller athletes, but being tall has some advantages. Tell us about the tall person's secret weapons in CrossFit!
That is absolute bollocks. Smaller athletes have all the advantages. :-) Ok, maybe I don't have to jump at all to reach the bars which is favourable for stretching and I can turn on the fans without a stick and even untie the ropes without help. And possibly rowing - I get more bang for my buck per stroke, for lack of a better choice of words, are we still talking about rowing???
In spite of your injuries, you hit some epic overhead PBs in the last testing cycle. Describe that feeling and the work you've put in to get there.
Every PB should be celebrated by that person because every single one of them comes on the back of hard work. I don't deserve mine any more or any less than anyone else. The work determines the results. I was absolutely stoked, even though I don't outwardly show it. I am not a fist pumper, a bell ringer or jumper. I would be equally happy just doing it without anyone seeing it.
What is your most loved movement and why?
I love all the core strength movements - Squat's, Presses and Dead lifts. They are relatively simple and it just feels awesome to move a lot of weight.
What movement makes you groan at the thought of and why? What do you do to move toward loving it?
Thrusters and burpees. Scars left behind from 14.5. For me personally, they are just so taxing. I am sure the more I do them, the better I will get and therefore the closer I will get to liking them.
One of the things we love most about you, aside from your dry sense of humour, is the way you come to training sessions with your heart on your sleeve sometimes. Can you tell us about the struggles you face and the importance of "airing" these?
I appreciate the kind words.
First things first - I train with essentially the same people day in and day out and have done for a while, so you form a bond with those people. I am also mindful that people come to Crossfit for a variety of reasons but the atmosphere at the box is sacrosanct, so I wouldn't say it should be a place where people come to unload their issues / struggles (and lets face it, we all have them in one guise or another) - or else you end up with a crappy environment. That said, I feel its mentally unhealthy to keep everything to yourself especially over a long period of time. but I was very concious of hand picking just a few people to lean on. And that has been a very important step for me.
You are our favourite music man in the box. Always making the perfect music choices. If you could choose your top ten songs of all time to WOD to, what would they be?
Honestly there is just too many, I love most genre's but for WOD'ing, I like a combo of club, bass, rap
So.... can the real Dave Weston please stand up and answer these questions.....
.... if you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and why?
An improved re-distribution of wealth. It makes me utterly sick to my core that basic human rights aren't afforded to all while a CEO of a company that essentially extort's the public, can receive a $100m plus bonus as a congratulations for that extortion.
.... what are your greatest fears?
Knowing that I haven't always been the best person I can be.
.... what is the most valuable lesson you have ever learned?
To be kind in thought, deed and word.
.... if you could trade lives with one person for an entire day, who would it be and why?
I am tempted to say President, but you couldn't achieve anything in one day, so Michael Jordan - in his hey day.
.... what are 3 music albums that defined who you are?
Appetite for Destruction from GnR, Abba Gold, 90's Club Music
.... if you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would that be?
The Bible.
It's important for us to have some things to work toward. What have you got mapped out for yourself over the next year of your CrossFit journey?
Stay injury free and just keep plugging away at PB's. A bar muscle up would be nice.
In the middle of a WOD, what animal would best represent you?
A feral tom cat that's been beaten from pillar to post by the bigger fitter cats, but is still just hanging in there, refusing to go away and hoping to land a blow or two.
You've been asked to write a sales pitch for Crossfit. How would you pitch it?
CrossFit is an excellent community based way to get functionally fit. Why go it alone, when you can do it in a class environment under the watchful eye of a great coach and surrounded by others who are just there to do their best. It's legitimately fun which is like an oxymoron given you will be challenged, but therein lies where the personal growth occurs and that's the part that is fun.
Crossfit Inc. decide to name and design a WOD in your honour. What would the 'Dave' WOD be?
10 Deadlifts @ 100/60
10 Chin ups
10 Front Squats @ 70/45
10 T2B
10 Power Cleans @ 70/45
10 HRPU
10 S2OH @ 50/35
1 Rope Climb
10 S2OH @ 50/35
10 HRPU
10 Power Cleans @ 70/45
10 TTB
10 Front Squats @ 70/45
10 Chin ups
10 Deadlifts @ 100/60