Andrew Spirito
Hometown: Neptune City, NJ. Currently live in West Chester, PA.
Age: 25
Occupation: Staffing and Project Manager at Genesis Rehab Services
When did you first start training at CFKSQ? August 2017, thanks to Lauren.
Favorite WOD: I don’t really have a favorite workout, but I like to snatch because it is one movement that has to be almost perfect every single time.
Least Favorite WOD: CFKSQ Halloween Workout.
Tell us about your sports & fitness background: My parents first introduced me to baseball at the age of 2. I joined Little League at age 8 and continued to play through college. I also played basketball in elementary school and was the captain of the bowling team in high school. I loved the competition when games came around, but I always loved to practice and get better. I would be in the backyard for hours and hours hitting off a tee and throwing to a bounce-back net. I also started skateboarding when I was around 10, and I still try and skate around every once in a while.
I never really got into fitness until I was older. Sports would always keep me in decent shape, especially during the season. During high school, I started doing P90X and Insanity in the offseason, and that helped me get into fitness more and more.
How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD… what was it, and how did it feel? I was watching TV one day and I saw these insane people on ESPN killing workouts. I didn’t really know what was going on, but everyone was ripped and it looked crazy. Little did I know, I was watching the 2016 CrossFit Games. I immediately hopped on YouTube and watched every single video that I could find.
At that time, I was already bored with my workouts, so I started looking up WODs to do with very limited equipment at my house. I’m pretty sure the first WOD I did was either Cindy or Chelsea because you really only needed a pull-up bar and I already had that from P90X. I just remember the workout being extremely long, stopping a lot, and being very sore the next day. I continued to do CrossFit by myself in the basement for a little more than a year, just looking up workouts, practicing different movements, and following the CompTrain programming religiously.
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF (before/after)? I was never really able to put much muscle on my body because a lot of the workouts I was doing were with limited weights. Playing baseball, I was always taught “low weight, high reps,” because you don’t want too much muscle on you. Since starting at CFSKQ, I have put on more muscle, and have gotten stronger and fitter overall.
What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected? Pushing through really hard workouts has improved my mental toughness. I also never liked working out at gyms or with a lot of people, but now I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFKSQ moments: Of course hitting new PRs are great and memorable, but I just love going in almost every day, pushing myself to limits I didn’t think I could before, and making new friendships. Participating at Friday Night Lights for the Open and volunteering at Barbell Brawl were awesome, too.
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? I love to travel, check out new places, go to concerts, watch/play sports, and spend time with family, friends, Kierstan, and our little puppy, Rocky. Within the last couple of years, I’ve really gotten into craft beer and the different brewing techniques around the country.
Any advice for people just getting started? Don’t be afraid to jump right in and get started. There is always a way to scale the workouts and get it done the best way you can. It’s easy to let yourself get intimidated with everything going on inside the box, but just keep pushing through and focus on yourself. Once you get started, it is hard to let it go.
Chris Fanning
Hometown: Originally Philadelphia, I’ve lived in Avondale for 25 years but still consider myself a Philly girl
Age: 49
Occupation: Sales for ThermoFisher Scientific
When did you first start training at CFKSQ? May 2015
Favorite WOD: I like longer WODs with a few moves like one we did earlier in December Row, box jumps, sit-ups, pull- ups. Recently I’ve even enjoyed WODs with Snatches or Thrusters.
Least Favorite WOD: I am not as big a fan of sprint workouts. I joke I am not built to sprint!
Tell us about your sports & fitness background: I’ve been active most of my life but, I was never really good at team sports. When I was really young I played rec league softball, I swam, and I danced. I was a rec league cheerleader. In high school I started working out at a gym to control weight. I’ve done it all aerobics, step, body pump, spin, yoga. I also ran for 6 years and completed 2 full Marine Corp Marathons, and 2 half marathons. I like achieving goals. I love working out and feel better when I do.
How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD… what was it, and how did it feel? I was exposed to CrossFit during a conversation with Cat Scherer at a cheerleading competition. I had been running for 6 years and was in a funk. I never really loved running and I was searching for something. I had never heard of CrossFit and she encouraged me to meet with Everett and enroll in fundamentals. I remember speaking with Everett and he was trying to assure me not to be nervous with what I heard about CrossFit, it was for everyone. I didn’t know anything about it so I wasn’t nervous. I remember watching the 5AM class as I was going through fundamentals and thinking how Badass they were. I was hooked! I wanted muscle, I wanted to lift weights, I wanted to do handstand push ups! I didn’t want to run anymore, HAHA. I looked up my first WOD, and laughed. It was Power Snatches and Overhead Squats. Wow. I didn’t know it was going to be my first WOD, Cat just transitioned me into class. She worked out behind me to make sure it went well. I remember being excited when I was finished. I love our Box.
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF (before/after)? I’ve always struggled with body image issues. I was still struggling with that even after CrossFit, luckily I love working out because it makes me feel so good. I’ve said to Everett at least 100 times, it’s the best hour of my day. My body was definitely more toned after starting CrossFit. I was stronger too. I did put on lean muscle. I have to share though the final piece fell into place recently during the Nutrition challenge. Following the simple rules that Jared laid out and being held accountable helped me accomplish in 5 weeks what I hadn’t been able to do in years of dieting. Between CrossFit and learning you truly “Can’t Out Train a Bad Diet!” I’ve seen a huge transformation! I feel fantastic!
What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected? This is a hard one. I think the biggest change that was totally unexpected was learning it is Ok not to be the best. Usually if I set a goal and work hard enough I can usually get to the top. I’m in sales, I’m competitive by nature. At CrossFit I am never going to be the top athlete at the Box. I didn’t expect to learn that was OK, I can be my best. I’m really comfortable with that. I’ll still be working my butt off though!
Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFKSQ moments: My favorite CrossFit moments are participating in the Open in 2017. I think the comradery of our Box is fantastic. I also loved partnering with my friend Kelly Gray at Suns out Guns Out in 2017. Everett after almost 4 years, I still look forward to walking in and hearing you say “Hi, Chris Fanning”
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? Outside of CrossFit I love spending time with my daughters Emily and Maddie and my Husband, Joe. We love to travel. I’m involved with the Air Force Academy Parents Association, and I also take Piano lessons. I started when I was 40 and let’s just say my teacher is a saint.
Any advice for people just getting started? As Dori from Nemo would say, “Just keep Swimming!” There are days it’s hard. Set your own goals and work towards them. Don’t measure yourself against anyone else.