Name: Matt Garcia
Hometown: Brownsville, Tx
Age: 34
Occupation: Special Education Teacher,Highland Elementary, FBISD
When did you first start CrossFitting?: April of 2018
When did you first start training at CrossFit Katy?: April 2018
What class do you generally attend(morning/afternoon)? Morning.
Favorite WOD: Anything with wall balls,running, and push-ups.
Least Favorite WOD: Anything with burpee boxjumps.
Tell us about you sports & fitness background:
I played football in high school. I also did lots weightlifting and longdistant running during my 20’s.
How did you first get exposed to CrossFit?Take us back to your first WOD... what was it, and how did it feel?
I would watch the Crossfit games and think tomyself, “I can do that.” However, I learned quickly that it’s not just grunt work. It takes a lot of technique and skill to perform at a competent level. After years of pounding the pavement, my knees and ankles really took a toll. I found it hard to continue to long distance run. Crossfit appeared to be a perfect combination of cardio and weight training, and in a more effective time period.
I vaguely remember my first workout. A lot of my first workout is a blur, but what I do remember is thinking that the warm-up is NOT the work out. Almost right away after the WOD, I lost my lunch. But for some reason, I was hooked. The endorphins kicked in and I felt a sense accomplishment and then went about my day. I kept showing up for that same feeling.
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness sincestarting CF (before/after)?
It is embarrassing to talk about how heavy I once was. I was strong but my aerobic capacity was not there. I carried around a body weight that would not be efficient for the cardio portion of Crossfit. I was having issues fitting into some of my clothes, as well as wanting to put on nice things but could not pull them off. So, I made it a priority to make some changes in my life. I started to watch what I ate and pushed myself to have a better engine in the cardio aspect of the WOD’s. Since I became more involved in the Crossfit Katy community, the groups of friends I made have helped create a healthy competitive environment. Naturally, I wanted to perform better, so I made a choice to become a better version of myself. Finally, after some trial and error with my eating habits, I was able to be at a healthy weight and still be able to lift heavy(which I love) and have better aerobic capacity. In the end, my wife and son are my priority. Showing my son how to create healthy habits and just being there for them is the most important. Being part of Crossfit Katy has been one ofthe best choices I have ever made.
What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking onsomething like CrossFit that were totally unexpected?
The most important thing I have noticed is having the ability to keep up with my little boy. I can run around with him easier than before. Although I still do not have the natural energy of a young child, Crossfit gives me that opportunity to keep up with him. He is my number one.
I have also noticed an improvement in my sleep and having the energy to make it through a normal day without the feeling of complete exhaustion at the end, as I did before. Finally, it gives me an outlet to release my everyday stress.
Name one goal you have reached since joining CFK and one goal you want to achieve:
I can finally say after over 2 years of trying, I can do double unders. A goal of mine involves doing every lift, at least at my body weight. I personally feel it would make me a well-rounded lifter. Of course, add all the gymnastic moves to the list of goals I hope to attain.
Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFKmoments:
To be honest, it was when I got my wife to join the gym. I am really proud of how much she has accomplished so far. I can tell she has a newfound strength (physical and mental) and confidence. I’m looking forward to what she will do next.
Any advice for people just getting started?
Try at least one class before assuming that it is an insane military type of setting. You’ll be surprised at how welcoming, non-judging, and accommodating to your personal fitness level it can be.
What are your hobbies, interests and/ortalents outside of CrossFit?
I enjoy spending all of my time with my wife and son. I read comic books, any Batman specific/adjacent content. I also enjoy fishing and barbecuing. When I have time and space, I paint, draw, and try to be as creative as possible. Finally, I am a huge Dallas Cowboy fan. What would you expect, I’m from the Valley!
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