Your name? Matthew Seabrook
What drove you to join CrossFit Jozi East?
For most of my adult life I was one of those who belonged to a gym, but always struggled to attend enough times in the year to keep it from being cancelled. I was always interested in fitness and being active, but lacked the proper structures i.e. motivation, community, goals etc. For years I drove past another CrossFit gym and always wondered ‘what’s that all about?’. One day I was just did a search, was hooked by the website, made an enquiry and the rest is history.
How long have you been a member for?
Almost 1 year! June will be 1 year.
Who inspires you?
Obviously I have to mention the 5:30pm crew for just being there, day in and day out. Also, the coaches for keeping me honest when it comes to my technique and ‘rest’ times . I’ve also kept an eye on those who joined around the same time as me. How they have gotten fitter, stronger and faster. How they have stuck it out through the good times, tough times and the really tough times. These guys and deserve a special shout out as I can relate.
What are you doing when you aren’t at the gym?
I have a busy work schedule. However, when I’m at home and not at gym, I usually find some sort of work to do. I can’t sit still for very long. I enjoy the outdoors, socializing with friends, playing with my kids, working in my garage etc.
Tell us one interesting thing that people might not know about you?
Geezzz that’s a tough one. Not sure. Married (22 years), 2 Kids (girls 14 and 12), dunno what else.….?
What was your favorite childhood T.V Programme?
I was kind of a TV addict so restricting it to 1 is like torture. A-team, Knight Rider, Airwolf, Gummy Bears, Ducktales, Looney Tunes and so on and so on….
If you had to have a superpower what would it be and why?
Teleportation. Be anywhere in the world at the blink of an eye.
What would your perfect workout be?
These questions don’t get any easier. Probably one where I don’t sweat and almost pass out :-). I’ve seen, heard and chatted about many workouts, but one that I’ve never done or seen done is the Filthy Fifty. That must be awesomely (if that’s a word) tough, challenging and fulfilling to do and complete. Simple, 10 exercises 50 times…
What has been your most memorable class or session at CFJ East?
Probably the 1st session I didn’t finish, not because of time, but because of energy. And it doesn’t even seem like a tough session. 3 rounds of 500M row for time. I did only 2 then almost passed out, had to accept a glass of sugar water from the coach and sat the rest of the session out. Also, the Open. My first Open and first CrossFit event. Pushing myself every week for 5 weeks to heights I hadn’t reached before. Both a motivating and humbling experience.
What might we find in your fridge at home?
I think the nutritional people should close their eyes at this point. Beer, lots of dairy (full cream of everything), coke and some sort of chilli sauce/relish.
What Is The Coolest Thing That You Have Achieved At CFJ East?
Is making it 1 year cool? I go back to the Open and something like the C2B. Before the Open I would have opted for a scaled option like box C2B. During the Open I was forced to do the C2B. I did it. Since the Open a scaled option, on that movement, doesn’t come into my mind. That’s cool for me. Not achieving the movement itself, but pushing myself, knowing you can do more if you believe it and try it and continue trying it, not giving up.
What Changes In Your Health Have You Noticed Since Starting?
Fitter, faster, stronger…Say no more.
List Some Of Your Big Goals.
Master the basic techniques, not allowing fatigue to break that. Learn how to do DU’s, muscle-ups and HSPU.
