Spotlight Athlete of the Month
Bryan F.
Each month, CF Magnitude recognizes a community member for all their hard work and dedication and what he/she brings to our community. We love our community and want to let everyone know about how great each member is to us. This month we recognize Bryan F. who you can learn a little bit more about below.
How long have you been at CFMagnitude and how did you hear about us?
11 years. I actually attended a pre-opening open house and still have the free OG t-shirt to prove it. I attended my first workout the 2nd or 3rd day CFM was open. A spin class believe it or not!
What is/are your favorite movement(s) to perform?
Squats, Deadlifts, Bench Press, Power Cleans, Strict Press
What sort of changes to your body, health & fitness have you seen since starting CrossFit?
It has changed over the decade plus I have been at CFM. Initially, I lost about 25 pounds and I was very focused on that aspect of fitness–losing weight, running, cardio, and getting leaner. In recent years, especially after a few years training in Courtney’s (and now Dan’s) great strength programs, my focus has been on building old man strength and setting new PRs on lifts. One of the great things about CrossFit is we get experience in so many competencies of fitness, that we can find our niche and really go after it, while also staying honest by still doing at least some of those things we might not like as much (gymnastics for me). Without a doubt, CrossFit and CFM have improved my health tremendously, even though my nutrition is suspect (not CFM’s fault!).
Now that you’ve been CrossFitting for some time, are there any misconceptions you may have initially had coming into CrossFit that you now disagree with?
1. CrossFit, training with intensity, and lifting heavy weights is not dangerous or a recipe for disaster. Yes, it can happen, but you could end up just as hurt playing basketball or running 5Ks. CrossFit is something you can do for years, well into middle-age. I have done it and feel great, and as many of you know I hate stretching, warming up, and the very word “mobility”.
2. Nutrition is (almost) everything–you cannot out train or outwork a bad diet. I have been trying for 11 years, with very limited success!
Any advice to people considering coming to CFMagnitude for the first Spotlight Athlete of the Month Heather S. time and/or new members getting started?
Ask for help. Your coaches and fellow members have a wealth of knowledge and wide range of experience, and we are all in this together. Do not get frustrated and give up because you can’t do everything–very few can. Keep working, scale as needed, and celebrate every success you have. I could dwell on the fact that after 10 years in the gym I still can’t do toes to bar and muscle-ups, but instead I choose to celebrate that I’m stronger at 46 than I was in my 20s, and feel my best years are ahead of me.
Tell us something most people do not know about you.
I am the President of the booster club for Marshfield High School Basketball (Boys and Girls), so I spend a lot of time in a different sort of gym during the winter sports season. It is very rewarding though to help the students (my two daughters included) have a great high school sports experience.
What are you up to when you’re not at CFMagnitude?
I do a lot of hiking with my dog, Tweety, a rescue from the Caribbean. We have been on a quest since 2020 to complete the Bay Circuit Trail and only have a few miles to go. Unlike my teenage daughters and lovely wife, she still likes to hang out with me (I think). I have found that hiking and long walks in the woods are great “active recovery day” activities for both physical and mental health.
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