Rest Day

Athlete of the Month
John McCann Doyle

Starting this month at Crossfit South Brooklyn, we will be honoring an Athlete of the Month. Our inaugural Athlete of the Month is…drum roll…John McCann Doyle.
While picking the first person to give the honor to was a challenge for us, there were a few things that stood out about John that we agreed made him the perfect choice. Those things in no particular order were:     
-        His commitment to training at CFSBK consistent basis
-        His commitment to working on his weaknesses as an athlete
-        The support he shows his fellow athletes during and post WOD
-        The fact that he’s a pretty sick athlete
-        His humbleness and coach-ability
-        The fact that he came in to consistently train around a pretty bad heel injury
 
John was honored but a bit embarrassed when I told him he was our first Athlete of the Month. I sat McDiesel down for a little Q & A, and this is what I got. Ladies and Gentlemen…The Hammer.
 
Fox – John, congratulations. I wanted to meet with you to interview you for being SBK’s first Athlete of the Month.
 
JMD – Serious? I’m not that good at this stuff…
 
Fox – Don’t worry, it’ll be fine. Most folks won’t even notice the life-sized cutout of you we put at the entrance. So anyway, here we go.  When did you first start CrossFit?
 
JMD – I started doing main site WODs on my own in April of ’09, and then started at CFSBK in October of that same year. I had taught myself a bunch of the movements and was pretty good at the bodyweight stuff but knew I needed to get better at the weights.
 
Fox – How/Why did you to start CrossFit?
 
JMD – I had just quit a job I didn’t like, and was stressed out and wanted to get back into shape. I had been doing some recreational running and yoga and was looking for a new challenge. That’s when I heard of CrossFit, and started doing main site on my own at a commercial gym, which eventually led me to SBK when I moved to Brooklyn.
 
Fox – What were your fitness goals back then, and have they changed?
 
JMD – Back then, like I said, I just wanted to get back in shape. I knew lifting heavy was my weakness, in addition to the O-lifts, so I wanted to get stronger at those. I still want to get stronger, particularly in the squat. I’m now also looking to progress my gymnastics skills. On particular I’m working on handstands with the goal of getting freestanding handstands and an L-sit to handstand. I’ve also been rock climbing and want to get outdoors with that as well.
 
Fox – You had a heel injury that prevented you from bearing weight on one leg for good while. How did you find the motivation to still train during that time?
 
JMD – Honestly, I really need to stay busy. My roommates will see that I’m bugging out and tell me to go do something. A big part of my getting to the gym during my injury was the feeling I get from the community at SBK. I really appreciate the social aspect of our gym.
 
Fox – Ok John, what are your non-fitness interests? And give me something not many people know.
 
JMD – Skateboarding! That’s my thing. I also read history books, in particular about social justice movements. Malcolm X and the black freedom movement in this country, stuff like that. Also…I enjoy gardening. I keep an apartment garden, and also do work at a community garden and at my parent’s home in Westchester. That’s probably the one most people wouldn’t know.
 
Fox – Last question… What do you think the coaches should look for in an Athlete of the Month?
 
JMD – Someone who supports the other athletes around them. Someone who trains smart. I also really admire the folks who find the time to train that also are raising families. I’ve got a lot of free time, but to make the time and still be a family person is really something.
 
            Thanks to John for sitting down with me, and for being a part of the community at CrossFit South Brooklyn. Let’s all keep an eye on him now and make sure this doesn’t go to his head. 3 cheers to the Hammer!