Athlete of the MonthOctober

Mike Shallo

Career: Personal Chef

Years at CrossFit Gotham: 10

Prior to starting Crossfit I was out of shape and struggling with my health, constantly in and out of doctors offices for various illnesses. I needed a lifestyle change and was truly bored of doing the traditional gym routine which I had been doing for so long, and wasn’t working for me. The thought of going to the gym and getting on a treadmill was repulsive to me. I was just so tired of doing the same free weights and cardio I had been doing for the last 10 years. That overall lack of enthusiasm and boredom caused a lack of consistent intensity in the gym and not sticking with the programs long enough to get the weight off. Then came Crossfit Gotham…..I now love going to the gym again and I’m eating great and training at an intensity that I never would have accomplished while doing the traditional gym routine.

Why has CrossFit worked for you?
Everyday is different—I never have to worry about trying to decide what I am going to do in the gym the next day. Coach Mike programs all of the workouts and I love the anticipation of seeing what each day is going to be and begin to strategize on how I am going to get it done.
What other aspects do you like about this training?
The Intensity—this has been a really big one for me. One of the things I have realized about myself is that the best way for me to burn off the stress and anxiety of daily life is INTENSE exercise. When I used to go to a traditional gym It was fairly easy for me to do a round of free weights and 45 minutes on the treadmill and still be thinking about all of the things on my “to-do” list while the entire time. I didn’t actually de-stress. It is impossible to do a workout at Crossfit Gotham and still be thinking about all of the things that are stressing you out in your life. I actually finish my workouts now and feel refreshed and ready to attack life again. And obviously, the high level of intensity will burn more calories and get you in better shape as well. The Friendly Competition—this is another one that has been huge for me. I am a very competitive person and since Crossifit ranks all of the workouts it forced me to want to excel. When I began I was at the bottom of the whiteboard every day. I simply didn’t like finishing in last place so I knew I had to get better as soon as possible. I can accept the fact that I am over 35 and there will always be athletes who are younger, stronger, and faster than myself but seeing the rankings on the Whiteboard everyday still pushes me to perform at levels that I know I wouldn’t hit if I weren’t competing with my other friends in the gym.
What's the best part about CrossFit Gotham?
The Relationships– I have truly enjoyed the relationships I have made in the gym. I love the fact that the gym groups are smaller so it forces everyone to get to know each other and build relationships. I think this makes going to the gym more fun and creates some accountability as well.

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