Member Spotlight – Ranjith

Each month Southie coaches will nominate one athlete to spotlight. ย We have so many amazing people to choose from, it’s not going to be easy. ย We are proud to announce our first ever athlete of the month, Ranjith. ย Ranjith embodies our community in his dedication to making himself better at all things he does. ย He is hard working, humble and an integral part of our community. ย Congrats Ranjith and keep it up! ย 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. ย 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). ย 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

Ranjith 4 years ago pre-crossfit

24 Comments

  • DBibeau

    09/21/2011 @ 1:16 am

    315 (PR) x1
    WOD 6:59 L2
    Thanks to Maze for all the tips!!!!!

  • Sean

    09/21/2011 @ 12:50 am

    Deadlift: 345 x 1
    WOD: 5:08 rx

  • Kara

    09/21/2011 @ 12:06 am

    Ranjith- good job! I have appreciated your encouraging words early in the morning- it’s a big help! Keep up the hard work and great attitude!

  • lebo

    09/20/2011 @ 11:54 pm

    Ranjith, you ROCK and I totally look forward to meeting you someday (although it will probably NOT be at one of those early-ass classes! haha) LEBO

  • Gambee

    09/20/2011 @ 11:33 pm

    Deadlift: 415
    WOD: 4:59 Rx

  • jaime

    09/20/2011 @ 10:51 pm

    Deadlift 265×1
    WOD 6:32 Rx
    And I got to watch Julie Foucher work out at Crossfit Southie! Burnin toastttttt!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Joe

    09/20/2011 @ 7:55 pm

    Congrats, Ranjith! Your work ethic is inspiring. I share your goal of handwalking. Let’s get it!

    Deadlift: 335×1
    WOD: 9:30 Rx, my body was very slow to wake up this morning.

  • Leann

    09/20/2011 @ 6:52 pm

    Ranjith – I agree with all of the above; So glad I finally got to meet you at the brunch and love the positive posts.
    I truly believe we are part of something unique here in Southie and the fact that each one of us comes back each day, amid all of life’s daily hurdles, shows the dedication to making ourselves better.

    Deadlift 215 X 1 (PR) (thanks Kristen!)
    WOD 9:26 Rx

  • Amy

    09/20/2011 @ 6:34 pm

    This comments page makes me proud to be surrounded by so many genuinely good people.

  • Kristen C

    09/20/2011 @ 6:32 pm

    Ranjith – It was so nice to finally put a face to the name when I met you at the brunch on Sunday! I had been wanting to meet the amazingly motivated blog poster! Congratulations!

    Deadlift: 215 x 1 (PR!)
    WOD: 10:15 Rx

  • Wheeler

    09/20/2011 @ 6:11 pm

    Congrats Ranjith! I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of the morning workouts with you and I’m always very impressed with your work ethic and the intensity you have to push yourself in every WOD. It’s very motivating for everyone around you…keep up the good work!

  • maze

    09/20/2011 @ 6:04 pm

    CONGRATS RANJITH – KEEP KILLIN IT!!!!

  • Gill

    09/20/2011 @ 4:47 pm

    Deadlift: 210
    On the elliptical: 1:00 sprint, 1:00 easy pace, 1:00 sprint, 0:50 easy pace, 1:00 sprint, 0:40 easy, 1:00 sprint, 0:30 easy, 1:00 sprint, 0:20 easy, 1:00 sprint, 0:10 easy, 1:00 sprint, 0:20 easy, 1:00 sprint, 0:30 easy, 1:00 sprint, 0:40 easy, 1:00 sprint, 0:50 easy, 1:00 sprint, 1:00 easy, 1:00 sprint

    If anyone else wants WODs to do with an injured hip flexor, I’m your girl. Congrats Ranjith!

  • Arik

    09/20/2011 @ 1:40 pm

    Deadlift
    3 – 3 – 2 – 2 – 1 – 1 – 1
    185 – 225 – 315 – 365 – 405 – 415(PR) – 425 (Fail)

    Wod @ L2 12:40.

    Annie 8:40

  • boyson

    09/20/2011 @ 12:41 pm

    Ranjith I have yet to meet you but the one thing that stands out the most from your posts is your positive attitude! We all face adversity and failure in life and its about overcoming those obstacles, learning from them and coming out better then you were before! Congrats kid and keep crushing it! I’ll leave you with my favorite quote which i think is in line with your positive attitude!

    Trials, temptations, disappointments — all these are helps instead of hindrances, if one uses them rightly. They not only test the fiber of character but strengthen it. Every conquering temptation represents a new fund of moral energy. Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before. โ€“James Buckham-

    PR Deadlift- 495lbs 5 little guys away from 5 hundo
    WOD- 9:20(my gut kept getting in the way of the knees to elbows)

  • Jason

    09/20/2011 @ 10:03 am

    I am impressed by Ranjith and his candor. It takes courage to express how important it was for Ranjkith to hear his father say how proud he was of him. It is amazing how important the approval of our fathers are, no matter our age or stage in life. Ranjith, you sound like a pretty great man. I look forward to getting to know our ‘spotlight’ better. Good luck with everything!

  • Ranjith

    09/20/2011 @ 2:52 am

    Thanks for the kind words, all. I teared up a little (don’t tell anyone). I feel fortunate to be part of this amazing place full of dedicated, driven, inspiring people. And I look forward to getting to know you all.

    I’m going to Disneyland. I love everybody!

  • Nicole

    09/20/2011 @ 2:45 am

    Congrats Ranjith! You deserve it! I have been coming to CFS for a little over 3 months now and you are one of the first people I met in the AM L1/L2 classes. You have been one of the people that motivated me to push on when I thought I would quit! Thank you for the inspiration!

  • Berretta

    09/20/2011 @ 1:31 am

    Congratulations Ranjith, youve been doin work since day 1…you deserve it. I loved the interview, especially the least favorite movement then we serve you up some knees to elbows tomorrow. Wooo get some

  • sarah p

    09/20/2011 @ 1:03 am

    this is absolutely awesome! i agree with jamie – this made me smile AND i do love reading your posts! looking forward to meeting you officially and working out with you!

  • Lexi

    09/20/2011 @ 12:33 am

    Thanks for the shoutout, Ranjith. You are definitely kicking butt and epitomizing the CrossFit Southie mentality to an ultimate standard. Keep up the awesome work! Hope to officially meet you sometime!

  • stephanie

    09/20/2011 @ 12:20 am

    woohoo Ranjith!!

  • jaime

    09/20/2011 @ 12:05 am

    I just thought what a good idea it would be to have karoake at the anniversary party on Oct 1st ๐Ÿ™‚

  • jaime

    09/20/2011 @ 12:04 am

    Ranjith! This just brought a smile to my face!!!!!!!! This is so awesome!
    I will say I don’t know you all that well, but I think we got to know eachother a little better this weekend at FGB and the paleo brunch. Plus I love reading your blog posts. I’m really happy you are part of this community and its quite evident you feel the same. I was actually talking about you with coach beretta today, no lie! ask him! Basically saying you are the bomb and it shows how much you love crossfit southie and we love you!

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