1. When did you join CrossFit BC?

I started CrossFit in July 2020 and joined CrossFit BC in September 2020.

2. Why did you choose CrossFit?

My girlfriend encouraged me to try it since I was bored with working out at a commercial gym and was looking for a new fitness challenge.

3. What changes in your health, physique and overall performance have you seen since starting CrossFit?

With CrossFit, stretching daily is almost mandatory to perform Olympic lifting and gymnastics movements. The CrossFit classes got me really fit in the fall, and the only thing missing was to dial down on my diet. I can say that I am the fittest I have ever been regarding cardio, flexibility and strength.

4. What advice would you give to someone with regards to starting CrossFit?

I highly encourage anyone to try it, even though it may be intimidating at first. The community is very welcoming, and everyone wants to help, so don’t be afraid to ask many questions. CrossFit appeals to everyone, whether an athlete wants to compete or just have a good sweat as part of living a healthy lifestyle.

5. What is your favourite CrossFit exercise?

Snatch and Clean & Jerk. I am working hard to refine my technique every week, and I enjoy those lifts. I never realized how much mental strength those lifts require.

6. What is your favourite activity outside of CrossFit?

Before COVID, I played ice hockey once a week. Hockey was my favourite sport growing up. I also enjoy running and swimming. I love getting into the zone as it almost becomes a meditation session for me. I was also hiking the grouse grind almost every week in 2020. I enjoy those long and steady endurance workouts.

7. What is your proudest accomplishment at CrossFit?

Definitely to be able to handstand walk, and do ring muscle-ups. I was very intimated by those movements. I fell on my face a few times and fell off the rings, and then realized that I wouldn’t die, so now it’s ok!

8. Have you made any changes to your diet?

Through my girlfriend’s work, I worked remotely with a nutrition coach to dial down the right calories, macronutrients, water intake and supplements. It helped tremendously with my sleep, recovery, and performance in the gym. My diet consists of 50% carb, 30% protein and 20% fat, with quality foods. I keep supplements very simple: multivitamins, caffeine-free pre-workout, essential amino acids, intra-carb workout, whey isolate protein, and ZMA (Zinc-Magnesium-Vitamin-B6).

9. Is there something that people would be surprised to know about you?

I love animals. I grew up with so many domestic animals at home with rabbits, dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, and fish. We have two cats because we live in an apartment. Maybe one day we will have a farm!

10. What/who inspires you the most?

My grandfather. I admire his passion and energy and how he lived his entire life to the fullest. He is about to turn 90 years old, and he had two severe surgeries on his knees in the last two years because he overused them throughout his life. He is not even close to being recovered to 100% and is already thinking about playing golf as soon as the golf course opens in Quebec.