Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your fitness background:
A: My family was a huge sports family growing up. Mom played college basketball and dad played college tennis; as you can imagine we were a competitive bunch. Fitness / working out was always a way of training for an upcoming season – I never thought of it as part of my overall health, it was just focused on for athletic performance. After having a battle with cancer between my junior and senior years of college, my relationship with working out changed as I wasn’t really able to play any sports and went to the gym just to try and feel physically normal again. While living in Charlotte, I’ve been able to get back to playing basketball and am a golf addict. Prior to joining MAD, my time in different gyms in CLT has felt a bit aimless, typically just looking for whatever machine was open and essentially just something to do when not playing a sport. I found MADabolic through a coworker and was instantly hooked. The programming felt athletic and purposeful, and I felt like I was training. Physically, at 30, I feel like I’m back in college and honestly could not be more excited for what’s to come. MAD has made a huge difference in how I age athletically.
Q: How long have you been a member at MADabolic?
A: Since October 2019.
Q: What drew you in to take your first class?
A: Jonathan Ross (loyal Southend attendee) was a big part of it…based on his description of classes I thought I’d like it. I knew I needed a better workout routine & live close to the Elizabeth location so I thought I’d give it a go.
Q: What is your favorite thing about MADabolic?
A: Coaches, the focus on form, and the purposefulness of the workouts. Workouts aren’t just about moving weight, but moving weight with proper form and with power.
Q: What interval is your favorite (M.A.D) and why?
A: Momentum – The Wily Vet. The Wily Vet is a sneaky build, but if you manage it properly, it’s an awesome workout and one where as you get further into, you feel more energized, like you’re finding a rhythm. But every once in a while, The Wily Vet destroys me when I think something will be easy and push the pace too hard to early.
Q: What are your favorite and least favorite movements?
A: Favorites – striking, rower, turkish tri-pod, ladder drills, traveling DB MC hammer curl. Least favorites – anything with a Zercher hold, single leg box squats, or saber toothed tiger crawls. I’m 6’4, these are just cruel. Yard Sale should also be illegal.
Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment since starting MADabolic?
A: For me, both of these are off the MAD floor: it’s golf and my relationship with food. My handicap is the lowest it’s ever been and I think it directly correlates with when I started MAD. I also love MAD’s/Finley’s approach to nutrition and the balance that’s preached. We don’t hear that enough in modern culture.
Q: What’s your favorite way to stay active on your off days?
A: Golf or long walks through Plaza Midwood
Q: What’s one fun fact about you that not many people know?
A: I worked security at Augusta National during the 2018 Masters
Q: What advice would you give someone who is hesitant to take their first class at MADabolic?
A: Just go for it!! You’ll find a friendly welcome, a team of coaches that will go out of your way to get to know you, and classes full of people that were in the same place as you one day. It’s an incredibly welcoming environment and even if you aren’t someone with an extensive strength training background, you’ll find MAD has something for everyone. Plus, who doesn’t love to wail on a punching bag everyday?
