Josh Sawicki | Athlete of the Month
ATHLETE OF THE MONTH - JANUARY
NAME: Josh Sawicki
AGE: 32
CROSSFITTING SINCE: September 16
WODS PER WEEK: 5-6
Favorite WOD/Exercise: Deadlifts/rope climbs/HSPU’s
Least Favorite WOD/Exercise: Burpees, or anything I can’t perform (yet) like double-unders or muscle-ups.
Tell us a little bit about yourself (family, job, sports, interests, etc.).
I moved back to NJ from Florida after 10 years with my labradoodle Kobe to be closer to my family again. I am a CPA in the state of Florida and currently work as a finance manager for Verizon forecasting corporate-wide revenue and expense. My interests include CrossFit, softball reading, movies, sports (Giants/Yankees), and CrossFit.
What was your fitness routine before CrossFit?
I trained for distance running with general weight-lifting mixed in like leg or chest day. I didn’t realize I had been doing so many exercises wrong.
Why did you start doing CrossFit?
I started to look at the gym as a chore; I got tired of the routine like Monday chest, Tuesday shoulders and so on. A friend of mine had always pushed me to do it and I kept saying it wasn’t for me. When my sister told me about it and I watched the videos of her, I thought it was cool. I realized I wasn’t pushing myself hard enough and wasn’t getting stronger so I needed to switch it up.
What were your thoughts after your first CrossFit workout?
THIS IS AWESOME!! My very first WOD had started with 50 burpees followed by 21-15-9 of push press/KB swings and finished with 50 burpees with a 20 minute time cap. Chris was yelling the whole time (which I appreciated in hindsight); he never let me stop, especially those last 15-20 burpees. I finished with time to spare, I immediately loved the competition to it and knew I could do it.
What were your goals when joining CrossFit Stealth?
I wanted to get in overall better shape/condition while getting stronger. I didn’t have goals like I have now because I didn’t know what CrossFit would entail. I’ve made several goals along the way, by focusing on one thing and trying to get better at it.
Have you achieved any of those goals?
I am definitely in overall better shape than when I started. The goals I’ve focused on along the way included climbing the rope, improving pull-ups by going from green band to no band or purple band, doing HSPU’s against the wall instead of on the box. I really want to be able to do double-unders in the workouts and get a muscle-up.
Has CrossFit affected your life outside the box? How so?
CrossFit is all about having goals and really focusing in on them. My mind is adapting to this kind of concentration; I’m able to pay more attention to detail at work and general daily activities. Paying attention to the little things in CrossFit, such as understanding the kip in T2B/HSPU/PU’s or ensuring you’re fully extending yourself in a snatch make these movements easier. I find myself appreciating attention to detail and realizing you can’t cut corners to get ahead.
How would you describe your experience at CrossFit Stealth?
The community aspect and atmosphere is incredible. I go in each day looking forward to seeing everyone and putting in hard work. It’s the only time of day where I can focus on task at hand and I don’t stress about deadlines (besides finishing under the time limit).
How has CrossFit differed from any other training you’ve done in the past?
It’s FUN! I never really had enjoyed running, lifting or doing any exercise in general. I look forward to checking Wodify and seeing what the WOD will be each day and thinking about how I’ll attack it during class.
What advice would you give to a newbie just joining CrossFit Stealth?
Don’t be discouraged and keep at it. CrossFit is for everyone. If I can’t do a certain movement, I work at it until it clicks. Keep putting in work/effort and you will get results.
Something you might not know about me is?
I lost 80 lbs. twice in my life. My senior year of high school was the first time I lost 80 lbs. I went away to college, started my career and got lazy, slowly putting the weight back. I lost it again about 3 years ago and have kept it off. I count my macros now and am really meticulous about what I put into my body. Peanut Butter is my weakness though!