February Spotlight Member - Joseph Carey
1. How did you get started on your CrossFit journey?
It’s all James Myers’ fault, I had never done anything like CrossFit before. All I ever did for exercise was run. Despite not really enjoying it I worked my way up to running some half and full marathons. Running did help me lose weight when I wanted but I could never maintain it - and I never really reached my goals. I was thinking to myself one day “I really think I need more help on this fitness journey, like a personal trainer or something because clearly I can’t figure this out on my own.” Like he heard me from afar, James sent me a message saying “want to come to a free bring a friend class at my gym?” That class was one of the hardest things I had ever done. I was more sore than I thought was possible. Like, couldn’t sit up to get out of bed sore. But I loved it - the instruction, the variety, the barbell! It was all so different. I signed up for the no sweat and then the on ramp. I was afraid of not being able to do all these new moves and worried about people judging me so I stuck with personal training for several months…until the world shut down. A silver lining of covid for me, with more free time than normal, I went from working out twice a week to basically 7 days a week. I got a lot done during that time. I started normal classes once things opened back up and haven’t looked back.
2. How many years have you been a member at Equity?
3.5 years
3. Best advice for someone thinking of joining Equity?
Join! Join now! Don’t wait. No matter where you are in your fitness journey this place can help you! Then, once you join, be patient with yourself. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the new things you have to learn - or feel like you’re not progressing fast enough. Have patience. Be consistent. Go to class. The progress will come.
4. What was your first impression and how has that changed?
I was very intimidated by literally everyone. I did not think there was any way I would EVER be able to do all the cool things I saw people doing or lift the heavy weights I saw people lifting. I also assumed everyone would make fun of me for not being able to do those things. This was, obviously, very very wrong. I learned that everyone is on their own path and Equity does an amazing job of meeting you where you are and helping you move along the path towards your goals. More importantly - I have never met a community more supportive and uplifting than the one at Equity. People cheer, they say good job, they ask how your workout went, they give advice, and they are genuinely excited when you achieve something. I love CrossFit the workout methodology - but the community is the real bright spot.
5. How has the gym improved your life? How will the gym improve your life in the future?
The gym gives me something (outside of my home) to look forward to every single day. It has become part of my daily routine and I love it. Even when the workout is extra challenging or something I’m not great at - getting to be around these people and do something together makes such a difference in my day. Of course it has made me fitter - and I am sure that will benefit me greatly as I age.
6. What do you do for a living and how has CrossFit impacted that?
I am the Band Director at Bohemia Manor Middle School. Teaching can be incredibly stressful and draining sometimes - especially during and post covid. The gym has been such a positive influence on my mental health just by providing an hour (or two) a day that I am so completely focused on something that the stress of my job or the outside world in general is kept away.
7. What is your proudest moment at the gym and/or favorite moment?
I guess it would be during the Open last year - in 22.1 there were 3 wall walks each round. I had been unable to do wall walks at all since I first tried them in the 2021 open. In fact I hurt my shoulder trying a partial wall walk that year. With the help of the hybrid program, I spent the next year working on shoulder strength and working towards wall walks. It was so hard and progress was so slow. I was so nervous when 22.1 was announced. What if I didn’t even get one? In that entire year between 2021 and 2022 I had successfully done exactly one wall walk. I ended up getting 11 wall walks that day - a personal record increase of 10. Were they pretty? No. Was my score for that workout good? Definitely not. But just getting through them I overcame a huge hurdle. And people were SO supportive. People watched me sit there waiting patiently for each rep to be ready and cheered every single time I got one. It was like I won the workout when it was all over. And for me, I had.
Favorites:
Food: Peanut Butter and Jam toast for breakfast. Pizza any other time.
Color: Red I guess. It changes daily. I like variety!
Movie: I don’t think I have one. I really like all the Marvel movies and Disney movies.
TV Show:
Drama: All the Star Treks. Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Comedy: Brooklyn 99, Parks and Recreation, Big Bang Theory, The Good Place, Schitt’s Creek.
Holiday: Christmas. I love giving people presents. It makes me happy.
CrossFit Movement: I don’t really have a favorite - but I do enjoy Box Get Overs and wish we could do them more!
