Beer, bread, and beards.  Ryan’s dropping some serious wisdom on all of this and more.  Read on to get to know Ryan Seefeldt.

What do you do for a living?

I am an engineer at Crenlo in the tool and die department.  So I design machines/fixtures that help produce agriculture and construction cabs for companies like John Deere and Caterpillar.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of the gym?

Going to Progression!  Oh, wait.  Uhhh.  Being literally outside is pretty rad.  I like camping, trail running, riding my fat bike, grilling, etc.  all with friends and family.  I’m also a bit of a craft beer enthusiast.  I have a small cellar filled with  mostly bourbon barrel aged beers.  I think the oldest bottles down there right now are from 2012.  My kids and wife kind of get dragged along on all of this, hopefully they enjoy it too.

What made you decide to try Progression Fitness?

I started at another CrossFit gym in town to get in better shape for my friend’s wedding in Mexico.  When they went through some Coaching/Management changes a group of us tried out a few other gyms including Progression.  Right away we knew Progression Fitness was the place for us.  I can’t imagine not being here now.

How long have you been at Progression Fitness?

I just got my one year email this week!

What was your experience with fitness like prior to joining Progression?

I was never really into fitness until the beer and food caught up and I had to be.  I’ve been to most of the gyms in town, done the at home videos, running, biking, etc.  I’d get excited about something, be really into it for awhile, then I would get stuck in a boring routine and it would just fizzle out.

Favorite cheat day meal?

Bread and beer.  All and any of it.  Maybe some salty caramel ice cream from Flapdoodles too.

What goal(s) are you currently chasing?

Too many.  They keep adding up!  I got muscle ups right before the Open so now I have been working on stringing more than two together.  Handstand hold and walks have been on my list for awhile.  I’d really like to win one of those awesome SISU war hammers at the hammer race one of these years.  Aside from those, really just improving on all my movements overall at the gym.  I know I’ll never be perfect so I am always trying to do everything better.

What’s the hardest part about your fitness journey at the moment?

Self control as far as diet goes.  I am either at 100% for commitment or 0%, there is no in between.  I just had my best Whole Life Challenge this New Years and as soon as it ended I found myself having beer and pizza way more often that I needed or wanted.

What’s one thing your fellow CFP’ers would be surprised to learn about you?

I’m co-founder of Breadfest.  Some of our zealous followers call me Yeastus, and we’ll hopefully be sponsoring the fall Hammer Race.  #breadfest2017

What’s your favorite piece of advice you’ve gotten from a Coach or member at Progression Fitness?

Nicole gave me a good piece of advice on movements before I got my first bar muscle up literally right before 17.2… but I probably shouldn’t say it.

How has your outlook on health/fitness changed since joining Progression Fitness?

I am definitely more focused on my overall health than I ever have been.  I was never in sports in school and never cared about my diet.   I’ve learned a lot about my body as far as eating and working out goes.  I can confidently say I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been and I don’t think I’d have even gotten here with Progression Fitness.

What has been your fondest memory during your time at Progression Fitness?

Oh man there are so many.  Maybe it’s just because it was so recent, but Friday Night Lights was a blast.  I felt a little depressed the week after when there were no cryptic clues from Castro, no Thursday night announcement, and no big event on Friday.  The 2016 Open happened when we were transitioning so this was my first time being a part of something like that.

Why do you think you’ve stuck with Progression Fitness?

Progression Fitness is my Dagobah; it’s where I become the best version of myself.  The Coaches and other members make it such a welcoming environment.  Everyone at Progression Fitness gets it but it’s so hard to explain to people who aren’t members.

What would be your one piece of advice for someone who’s just joining Progression Fitness?

Don’t pull on Nic’s beard?  Ha!  But Seriously… get in the door, give it everything you’ve got, stick with it, and make friends.  Everyone is here to improve themselves, no one is judging you.