ATHLETE PROFILE
Name: Francisco Rivera
Hometown: Richardson, TX
Age: 40
Occupation: IT/Telecom Services
When did you first start CrossFitting? July 2016
When did you first start training at CrossFit Katy? July 2016
What class do you generally attend (morning/afternoon)? 6 AM
Favorite WOD: Back Squat, less frequent exercises like Farmers Carry
Least Favorite WOD: Anything that resembles a front squat or lunges
Tell us about you sports & fitness background: Pretty typical, I played sports through high school, tried every type of workout with various levels of success over the years.
How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD… what was it, and how did it feel? I was aware of Crossfit for a several years and when we moved out to Katy, Crossfit Katy was nearby. As I approached forty the aches and pains were stacking up, and my little kids constantly exhausted me, I realized that I needed to work on my health so I could not only be active with them now but hopefully see them well into adulthood. Ultimately, I decided to give Crossfit a try and before I knew it, I was sweating in the middle of a workout (the warm up actually), but I knew that the fact I was struggling so much was all the more reason for me to be there.
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF (before/after)? Probably lost in the ballpark of 40-50lbs but I’m much more fit, much stronger, and I’ve been able to resurrect smaller clothes.
What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected? Overall my stress level is reduced and I feel like I deal with everyday stressors much better. General physical fitness and exercise really was a missing part of my overall health.
Name one goal you have reached since joining CFK and one goal you want to achieve (example: deadlift/squat/press ___ pounds; do a pullup; do a WOD RX’d, etc.): Across the board there are numerous exercises where I didn’t expect much progress but I repeatedly find days where make a big increase. But as ridiculous as it sounds, the best goal I’ve reached is that on a regular basis I am no longer just trying to get through a workout but I find that I want to push the intensity or weight or speed.
Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFK moments: It’s really a recurring one, at the end of a workout and the last person(s) are trying to push through to finish and the rest of the class cheers them on.
Any advice for people just getting started? Pace yourself, create a routine and stay with it, and don’t be too proud to modify down an exercise.
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? I have three little kids so most of my time is spent with the family but when I find time, I play a little guitar, woodworking and of course watching my Texas Aggies and Dallas Cowboys.
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