We all know and love him – Mr Kevin Griffin is our Member Spotlight this month! Kevin joined CrossFit Southie back in 2015 and has stuck with us since then! He is one of those people with whom you can easily sit and chat for hours, making all members (new and OGs alike) feel comfortable and welcome in class. He has an exemplary work ethic and always brings a smile to the faces of those around him! If you ever get the chance to take a class with Kev, you know you’re taking class with a friend. Kevin is proof that CrossFit is both a way to improve fitness and a way to make friends – he can absolutely tear apart a WallBall/ Row combo, crush 300+ double unders unbroken but can also tear up our annual bar crawl;) We love having Kevin here at CFS as a member and he deserves the limelight as our member spotlight this month!! To learn a little more about him – find his interview below!
Name: Kevin Griffin
Profession: Product Designer @ DraftKings
When did you start at Crossfit Southie?
I joined in September of 2015 after just moving to Boston from NYC. And when I was looking at a map, figuring out where to live in Boston, I had CrossFit gyms pulled up as well. I didn’t own a car at the time so one had to be within walking distance.
What is your Favorite movement and WOD?
I don’t think I could get away without saying Double Unders since I had the unbroken record (350) for a while and will hopefully one day again if I can take it back from Martinez. But any workout with rowing or wall balls puts a smile on my face. Favorite girl workout is Nancy with all those overhead squats.
Which Class do you Frequent?
Pre-pandemic, I was a tried and true 7amer. I can probably count on one hand how many non 7 am classes I went to over those five years. Those days are long gone, and now I frequent the 11 am; or 8 am if someone from work puts a meeting on my calendar during that hour.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?
I think my entire CrossFit journey has been a fantastic ride. All the different skills I have learned over the years, especially the gymnastic ones like muscle-ups and handstand walking, have been such incredible things to learn. I was a pretty lazy kid growing up and an even lazier adult in my early 20’s. Before CrossFit, I had never even touched a barbell and thought a good workout was running 5 min on the treadmill, and immediately after eating multiple slices of pizza (Thank you Golds Gym; best $9 I spent a month).
What are your Fitness Goals?
Primarily, it’s just to remain injury-free to still come multiple times a week and see everyone. But it would be nice to get under some heavier weights on most of my lifts.
What is your Favorite Part of Crossfit?
It’s definitely all the non-fitness aspects of CrossFit that has kept me coming back. When I explain CrossFit to people, I’ll start with the different types of movements and exercises we do in a typical workout. However, I’ll move on quickly and probably spend an annoyingly long time talking about the community aspect. Over the last 10 years, I have met some of the greatest friends from the CrossFit gyms I have joined. And knowing this is a spotlight from Southie, of course the best of the best has been right here. Some of my favorite nights living in Boston have been from the Southie Social events, with my hands-down favorite being the bar crawl (I hope Daniela is planning the next one right now as she reads this!). But to bring it back into the four walls we’re all familiar with; I love getting to know everyone and hearing their stories. It’s incredible working out next to you all and being pushed to go harder or cheering on those who want it in return.
How did you get involved in CrossFit and what was your first WOD/experience?
I started CrossFit in 2012 after hearing the name from a friend of a friend at a party. I was living back home in NC and googled CrossFit gyms near me and didn’t know it at the time but found my home for the next three years. The first day I showed up to their Saturday class, the WOD was 50-40-30-20-10 of V-Ups, Push-Ups, and Squats. Since I was new, I started at 30 and went down. I made it to the round of 10s, stopped with great urgency, and booked it to the bathroom where I just sat in a stall for 20 min regretting all the choices I made that brought me there that day. As I snuck out, I had two thoughts; “Wow! Those were really nice people”, and “I will never see any of them again.” Two days later, I walked back in, and I think they thought the same from the look of surprise on their faces. But it was so great to learn and try something new every day and then keep pushing myself to get better and stronger.
What are your hobbies outside of CrossFit?
I’m 34 and have no kids, so I have plenty of time for hobbies. I watch a lot of TV (happy to give recommendations) and love watching movies (again recommendations). I enjoy baking (follow my baking insta @bakingtheworld) and am trying, and will say that twice, trying, to learn piano. Lastly, I live to travel and always looking to get away to new places (happy to take any recommendations).
What’s a “Fun Fact” about you?
A year after college, I moved to South Korea and taught English to kids. It was an amazing opportunity and was actually the first time I left the country (had to get my first passport for it). It fits with my personality, though, as I typically jump into the deep end with things. Just like CrossFit! And I brought it back full-circle.
What did you do for exercise while CFS was closed during quarantine?
Did as best I could to stay sane. Did some basic home workouts. Joined some of the zoom classes Southie had going on. I Live near Moakley park and discovered the track there. It was great to run on an even surface and do a bunch of cool workouts on the grass. Best place to PR handstand walking if you’re interested. Unfortunately, the ones who joined me at the track didn’t allow me to program the workouts. Am happy the gym is back open now. I will still do a few workouts there when the weather is nice. Also, I can’t not mention my dog River, who I got right before the shutdowns, but she has kept me active as well. If you see a small black dog trying to follow me while pulling a 70lb KB that’s her. And please don’t take offense if she doesn’t let you pet her; she is afraid of everything.
Primarily Indoors
Warm-up
Play 4-5 Rounds Rolling
-Then-
3 Rounds
5 Strict Press
5 Push Press in a Split
10 Narrow Stance Squats
Strength
E2MOM12
Split Jerk
2 Reps
WOD
2000m Row
40 Pistols
30 Shoulder to Overhead 155|105
Level 3- 135|95
Level 2- 115|75
Level 1- 95|55
ADV – 60 pistols, 185|125
Extra Work
AMRAP12
Run 200m
50 ft HS Walk*
*Scale to 25ft, 3 Wall Climbs or 20 Shoulder Taps