1. Hometown?
   Alvin

2. Occupation?
   Dispatcher/ CrossFit coach trainee

3. Family (spouse/ children)?
   I have been married for five years, we don't have
   kids yet but we do have a dog.

4. What is your athletic background?
   I played sports growing up but never on a serious competitive level.

5. How long have you been doing CrossFit and where did you start?
   I started in June of 2014 and have been with Alvin CrossFit from the start.

6. What did you know about CrossFit before you came in?
   My knowledge of CrossFit was very basic.  I saw people trying it while I was in the military and I knew of it from ESPN and watching the Games.

7. Which class time(s) do you attend and how many times a week did you come when you started and how many times now?
   I usually attend the 4:30 and 5:30 evening sessions. When I first started I went once a week and now i try to go five to six times a week.

8. What did you think after your first WOD and/or after your first week?
   After my first WOD I felt very beat up but I was excited.  I was excited to lose weight and feel healthier.

9. How does CrossFit compare to any other training you've done?
   CrossFit is comparable to some of the physical training I received in the military. The intensity and competition in CrossFit feels very similar to the military. 

10. Why did you start?
    I started CrossFit because I wanted to be healthier. I wanted to feel comfortable in my skin again. I had always been fairly thin and when i got out of the military i lost the motivation to stay healthy.

11. Why do you keep coming back?
    I keep coming back for the competition. Alvin CrossFit has some very good athletes, all of whom push me to be better. We also have a an amazing family dynamic at Alvin CrossFit. That family dynamic helps you to want to keep coming back no matter what is going on in your life.

12. What are your biggest accomplishment(s) or what are you most proud of? I have been doing CrossFit for two years now and have accomplished a few things in that time. First and the most recent is muscle up. I started training for muscle ups after the first year and can finally do them. I have lost nearly fifty pounds since I started. Since losing the weight I feel comfortable and confident in my skin again. I definitely feel healthier, which was always the main goal.                                      

13. What is your favorite CrossFit movement?
    Right now my favorite movement is muscle ups because I can do them.

14. What is your least favorite CrossFit movement?
    Thrusters suck!

15. What are your strengths and weaknesses in CrossFit?
    Some of my strengths are things on a bar like pull ups or toes to bar. Some of my weaknesses would probably be strength movements and presses over head.

16. Have you changed your diet since starting CrossFit?
    I have changed my diet since i started. When i first started i wasn't too concerned with my diet but i have learned that my diet directly affect my performance. I usually eat very healthy during the week and allow for a cheat day during the weekend.

17. What is your guilty pleasure/ favorite cheat meal?
    My favorite cheat meal would probably be ALL OF THEM.

18. What is your favorite healthy meal?
    Chicken stir fry would probably be one of my favorite healthy meals.

19. What do you enjoy doing away from the box or tell us something else about yourself?
    When i am away from the box i like to play guitar or go to the movie theater.

20. Any advice for new members?
    My advice to new members would be to leave your pride at the door. Don't get discouraged when you can't do a movement but someone else can. CrossFit has changed my life and it can do the same for you.

Coach Lou