A couple years ago, Dan chose to give Progression Fitness’s Bootcamp a try, where he quickly developed a special friendship with Coach Tony. Through hard work and consistency, he turned his life around 180 degrees and is racing towards fitness. He seems to be addicted to outside competition, having three races (including another Hammer Race) planned for October alone! Dan also holds (pending verification) the special place in the gym as the only person that LIKES Wall Balls!??!?!

What brought you to Progression Fitness?

I was lying in bed one night and an ad popped up on my Facebook talking about a 6-week boot camp, and I thought, what the hell. I really wanted to get in shape but didn’t know how to on my own. I’ve been a member of a few gyms and failed every time.

When do you usually work out?

I usually workout at 4:30 PM.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to build things. Carpentry is a big passion of mine. I also like to be involved in stock car races during the summer and have worked at area tracks for the past 17 years.

Do you encounter functional fitness in your life? Does being functionally fit help you in your job or your hobbies?

Functional fitness is a big part of my life being a carpenter, a lot of up and down ladders daily and being able to lift lumber, Sheetrock, plywood up and overhead. Being more fit also helps when having to dig holes. I had to dig 20 by hand to build my own deck.

What is your favorite clean food?

By far my favorite clean food is sweet potatoes. I can’t believe I never ate them before the nutrition knowledge I learned at Progression.

What is your favorite cheat food?

By far cake, l love CAKE…

What is your favorite CrossFit exercise movement?

I might have to say wall balls, even though my quads scream at me.

What is your most hated exercise movement?

I would say man makers.

What goals are you chasing?

I want to be the best person that I can possibly be. I would love to be stronger, as I wrecked my right arm in an auto accident in 2008. I want to be fit and be comfortable taking my shirt off and not be embarrassed as I have my whole life being overweight.

Who motivates you?

Coach Tony is my motivation. He has been there helping me through this journey. The day I met him I was like, who the hell is this guy always jumping around hopped up on coffee at 7:30 pm. I just wanted to smack him to calm him down but now he is my best friend and like a brother to me.

What were you scared / nervous about when starting Progression fitness?

I was most scared I wouldn’t be able to do any of the workouts. I had never done anything like this in my life.

Now that you have been at Progression Fitness for a while, was there anything you originally were wrong about, but now have changed your mind?

“We all have bad days at the gym, and we all have good days, but in the end those bad days make us strive and want more of those good days.”

“We all have bad days at the gym, and we all have good days, but in the end those bad days make us strive and want more of those good days.”

What is something you couldn’t do before, but now you can?

Box jumps – they were very intimidating. I was very scared and didn’t believe in myself that I could jump more than a couple of inches, but I started with lower boxes and now can do 20” comfortably. I still have work to do, but hey, white men can jump. LOL

What is your Personal Record that you are most proud of?

My personal record is one of the proudest moments in my life and that’s when I competed in the spring Hammer Race in 2019. Coach Tony talked me into it and kept telling me I can do it, even though my mind kept telling me differently. I had never done anything like that before. He told me this is single handedly going to be the most difficult and toughest thing you’ve done to date. He was right, but when I got through the last obstacle and crossed the finish line, I couldn’t believe I actually did it. Very proud of that moment.

What is your fitness background? Have you played sports? Do you have a favorite sport now?

I never was in any sports and my whole fitness plan was to fit this whole pizza in my mouth and wash it down with a case of beer. So glad those aren’t goals anymore.

Are there any competitions / races in your future?

I have 3 races coming up in October: The terrain race, the fall Hammer Race, and a fundraiser 5k in Mantorville.

What advice do you have to help others keep coming consistently?

Pick a time that works best for your schedule and just think of it as an appointment that you can’t miss. I like to go at the same time every day, plus or minus an hour depending on my work schedule. If you go at the same time you get to know people and they become your friends, and I like to see my friends every chance I get.

What would you say to someone that is thinking about trying Progression Fitness but isn’t sure it is for them?

Progression is an absolute pleasure to be a part of. The members and staff are top notch. I live in Austin and people often ask me why I don’t attend a CrossFit gym in my own town rather than drive 45 miles every day. My answer is that this is where I started my journey and this place and everyone has become like a family to me, not like the ones we lock in the attic, and I wouldn’t be comfortable going somewhere else. IT’S THE BEST PLACE, my happy place. I’ve learned so much about fitness, nutrition and most of all my abilities. Thank you everyone for making this a place that makes me want to be the best version of myself.