No one knows how Paul slipped through the cracks all of these years to get his first MOTM just now. Paul could have earned this honor most months over the 7+ years that he has been with us.
Paul is one of our more senior members but looks like he is 30 years old. Paul keeps himself looking and feeling young by eating healthy, meditating, stretching, working out, and spending time with loved ones. Paul takes care of himself physically and mentally while also pursuing his many career goals.
We all love Paul because he always comes to classes and Croga events with a smile and a positive attitude. We all want to be like Paul because Paul is the man! 🙂 Congrats! Well deserved!
When did you join Croga?
I believe it was around 2015.
What were you doing before for fitness?
I had a personal trainer that I worked with 1-1. We had fallen into a rut and I needed something really different.
What was your first workout? First reaction to your first workout?
I don’t remember the exact workout, but I remember box jumps were involved. The funny part is when I spoke with Dave before starting my first WOD, I mentioned how I was used to doing some cardio at the beginning followed by the whatever the movenments would be for the day. Dave laughed. “Most people don’t find they need that!” He replied. Then I did my first WOD and when I got home I literally crawled through the back door and lay on the kitchen floor for 20 min without moving!
What improvements have you seen in how you look, feel, and perform?
What I have noticed most is the combination of improved strength with the skill development around acrobatic movements. I especially love combining 1-1 training with WOD’s so I can dig into the details of form and technique and then apply those learnings to the regular workouts.
What days and times do you come to Croga?
That has evolved over time. I used to be a regular 5am er but now I prefer the Monday and Wednesday 6:30 class and then Saturday and Sunday mornings. Work and kids and music are too demanding during the week to regularly hit other WOD’s but if I do have more time during the week, I prefer to focus on 1-1 sessions.
What’s your favorite WOD?
I like WODs that include bench, deadlifts, abs and suit case or farmers carries.
What’s your least favorite WOD?
Anything with burpees, running; snatches or thrusters.
“The Paul” WOD! What would it be?
I love the WODs we started doing on my 60th birthday, back in May. Each year we will add 1 rep to every set!
What’s your favorite post-workout routine?
I love stretching and taking a nice hot soak and then stretching more. It’s like magic.
What’s been your favorite culinary discovery since joining Croga?
Nonfat yogurt. There are so many ways to use it. It’s such a great source of protein and can easily be combined with protein and creatine supplements as well.
What’s your biggest fitness goal for this year?
I’d love to get back below 190 and also get a bar muscle up.
What do you love about this type of fitness?
The freshness and variety make it easy to amp up the intensity since it is never boring.
What words of advice do you have for new members or people considering joining Croga?
Focus on two things: consistency and form. Don’t worry as much about PR’s and weight – that follows consistency and form.
Anything to add that we haven’t touched on yet?
I just want to put a shout-out to Cody. It has been so excellent working with him in class, for the nutrition program (which I highly recommend) and 1-1. He’s an incredibly insightful coach because he listens and he pushes just the right amount. He is the reason I am still at Croga!
I love the Croga community because the positive energy is really motivating, particularly during challenging times, and there have been many over these 8 years.
Some of you may know I have 6 children, who have grown up a lot since I joined. When I started, I’d been the biggest member of my family for 40 years. Now I’m number four, thanks to three very large and strong football-playing sons, two of whom are NCAA student-athletes.
During this time I also went through a pretty painful divorce and lost my mom and dad after caring for them for 7 years in my home: Both in their 90s and married for 73 years.
Work is demanding, leading a large innovative organization bringing Photonics to the main stage inside of a Fortune 500 company for Augmented Reality and AI high-speed interconnect.
Fitness has made a real difference through all of this. I don’t feel 60. In fact, I feel better than when I was 40.
Everyone at Croga is so gracious and supportive, which makes me excited to pursue becoming a centenarian and having a vibrant journey getting there.
