If I had to describe Doug`s training in three words they would definitely be, committed, focused and relaxed.
He knows when to push but he also knows when it`s time to take it a knot back and have a laugh.

Below is Doug`s journey in his own words.

What was it that made you want to start Crossfit? And how long have you been Crossfitting for?
I have been Crossfitting for 1 year and 8 months now. I needed to change my exercise regime, my gym visits were getting less and less frequent and I was achieving very little. I had done a couple of Crossfit type workouts and enjoyed them so I decided to give it a go.

If you could sum up your first session of Crossfit in a sentence, what would you say?
What do you mean that was only the warm up?

Since starting Crossfit, you've hit some epic PBs and shown so much growth in your form. Can you tell us a little about the Doug that first walked into Metal Therapy at the beginning and the Doug we see now? What has changed? How have you grown?
 When I first came to Crossfit I thought I was reasonably fit but very early on in that first session I realised I was kidding myself. Since then I have made improvements beyond anything I could have imagined. Now, in my forties, I am fitter, stronger and more flexible than I was in my twenties.  

You're known around the box for your big and powerful deadlift, amongst other things. We've seen you really push through the fight (and shakes) of some heavy lifts. Can you shed some light on your mindset when you're lifting? What helps you push through the fight to hit the lift?
For me it is all about seeing an improvement. We put in a lot of work during the 12 week cycle which all leads up to testing week, where you get to see the results of that work with (hopefully) new PB's.  

Crossfit is often described as functional fitness that impacts on our daily lives. As a firefighter, can you tell us how Crossfit has changed, impacted or affected you in your role as a firefighter and day to day life? 
Firefighting involves working at a very high intensity for short periods of time often with heavy loads, very much like a Crossfit workout. I have found the improvements that have been made in my strength, flexibility and fitness since starting Crossfit have made the physical demands of my job a lot easier to manage. I also find that being physically active helps a lot with managing stress.

What is your driving force in your Crossfit path? What keeps you coming back for more? 
 The people at Metal Therapy and the positive, fun atmosphere in the box make it easy to come in on days when you are feeling tired or sore. And of course making GAINZ.

Pass on your top 10 most important wisdom nuggets for staying on your Crossfit journey. 
1. Have fun and enjoy it.
2. Listen to Gab.
3. When you are hurting after your first couple of sessions get back to the box and do some more. You will feel a lot better for it.
4. Trust Gab.
5. Be consistent, get to the box regularly.
6. Gab knows best.
7. Set goals.
8. Don't worry when you plateau with one movement, you will be improving other movements.
9. Don't measure yourself against others, only judge yourself against your own performance.
10. Most importantly always listen to Gab.   

What's your favourite movement and why? What do you like about the movement?
Deadlift. I like that it is a simple movement, it suits me because I only have to think about one thing at a time.

What's your least favourite movement and why? What do you dislike about the movement?
Thrusters, they hurt. I hate everything about them

Now to get to know you, tell us at which store would you max out your credit card?
Purvis Beer in Richmond.

Choose a movie title to capture the story of your life. 
 The Hangover.

What's the nerdiest thing you do in your spare time? 
Study the share market. 

What's the strangest talent you have?
That would have to be my ability to power nap for exactly 40 minutes.

What are three things still left on your bucket list?
It's too soon for a bucket list. I hope. 

If you could have a superpower what would it be? 
The ability to do pain free Thrusters.

You're still Crossfitting in a year's time. What will crossfit Doug be doing then? What will he look like? 
Hopefully doing some new PB's but otherwise I'll be much the same just with more more grey hair.

In the middle of a WOD, what animal would best represent you? 
An asthmatic bulldog. All wheeze and slobber. 

You've been asked to write a sales pitch for Crossfit. How would you pitch it? 
Don't knock until you've tried it. Come along and give it a go. 

Crossfit Inc. decide to name and design a WOD in your honour. What would the 'Doug' WOD be?
It would certainly have my favourite movements, let me introduce you to... "Doug`s WOD"

15 RFT:
5 Box Jumps 20"/24"
3 Deadlift 80/120
1 Rope Climb