Each month Southie coaches will nominate one athlete to spotlight. We have so many amazing people to choose from, it’s not going to be easy. We are proud to announce our first ever athlete of the month, Ranjith. Ranjith embodies our community in his dedication to making himself better at all things he does. He is hard working, humble and an integral part of our community. Congrats Ranjith and keep it up! More from Ranjith….
First of all, I want to thank the coaches at CrossFit Southie for nominating me for this award. CrossFit Southie is full of amazing elite athletes and I am not one of them (yet). However, with their and your help, I’m getting better at this.
How did you get involved in CrossFit?
My CrossFit journey began when I read a blog post. It was this post, and turned out to be a great introduction.
http://blog.dianahsieh.com/2009/10/crossfit-three-two-one-go.shtml
After that I read Greg Glassman’s Foundations article and the What is Fitness article in CrossFit Journal. It made a lot of sense to me. Up to that point in my life, there was little structure or discipline in my approach to exercise. I played basketball, tennis, worked out with light weights, and ran on the treadmill. I had reasonable cardiovascular endurance, but poor strength and power. I couldn’t do a single chin-up, let alone pull-up. I was 25% body fat. I had little reason to believe that I could succeed at CrossFit. But here’s the thing: I believe in human potential–including mine. It sounds corny, but I believe we are all capable of great things. Let’s prove it.
First WOD?
The CrossFit baseline WOD performed 10/28/09 at CrossFit Boston. With double blue band modification on pullups, my time was 7:11.
When did you start coming to CrossFit Southie?
June 2011
Is this the first CrossFit you’ve worked out at/how long have you been CrossFitting for?
Started at CrossFit Boston in November 2009.
When did you realize that CrossFit was right for you?
When I started coming to CrossFit Southie. This is an amazing place, with top notch coaches and a wonderful, active, encouraging member community. Also, conveniently close to my work. I feel really lucky to be a part of CF Southie.
What are your short term and long term CrossFit goals?
Short term:
21 kipping pullups (PR 5)
40 double unders (PR 10)
CF Total: 700 (PR 590)
Long term:
Muscle ups
Handwalking
Sub 5 minute Fran
Live life prescribed (including all the WODs)
What is your biggest accomplishment?
FGB6 Rx: 236
What is your profession?
I’m a software development manager. I was never excited about my job until recently. But now I feel like I’m driving–like I can direct my career in a direction that fits me. And improve my company. And I credit CrossFit for my change in attitude. Like Jaime and Lexi said, you can bring what you do in CrossFit to the rest of your life. “It’s all about pushing yourself.”
What is your favorite/least favorite WOD/movement?
Favorite WOD: Southie Sangy
Least favorite movement: Toes to bar (Shoulder flexibility!)
What are your hobbies outside of CrossFit?
I play basketball, and CrossFit has improved my game. I can touch the rim now–next step is dunking! I play tennis. When I recently went home to Toronto and played my dad, he told me I’m vastly improved and that he’s so proud of me (first time he’s ever said that). In my down time, I enjoy Vince Flynn and Ayn Rand novels.
Do you eat paleo or zone? What is your favorite paleo/non-paleo meal?
I eat paleo. Favorite meal is chicken stir fried in coconut oil with sausage (nitrite-free no-filler) and okra. Plus a glass of red wine.
Fun fact?
I sing karaoke. Badly.
Strength
Deadlift
3-3-2-2-1-1-1-1
WOD
3 Rounds
15 Thrusters (95,65)
15 Knees to Elbows
