Brandon Gaudette

Catalyst-1454_zps4324158e

I was introduced
to CrossFit by Jory Kettles, at the time he was also doing it. He told me that
they do a lot of rowing, gymnastics and Olympic weightlifting. I was intrigued
because I previously struggled to find a workout that fit me. I tried many
different things but I just couldn’t stick with it or I got bored. But now I am
completely hooked and I can honestly say I’m a CrossFit junky! The coaches and
other athletes made a huge difference for me as well. They all really know how
to motivate you and help you push even further! 

I started at
Catalyst in October of 2012. My first workout was BRUTAL! I think it took me
30+ minutes to finish and I finished dead last, but I had a huge sense of
accomplishment and a satisfied smile on my face. I remember Coop asking me “how
was it?” and all I could say was “where do I sign up?” Oh yeah, I was sore for
days after that WOD but I was excited to do it again.  Now that I’m a few months in I can really
feel differences mentally and physically. Every day I get a little stronger and
I’m not scaling as much as I used to. But the changes aren’t just physical, I
am much more confident, happy and zoned in school than ever before! I can see
myself doing CrossFit for a long time!

I am working on improving
my handstand; I’m still a little tippy, haha. But I also want to get my
handstand push ups and a muscle ups. I also struggle with my overhead squats so
that’s something I’m trying to better and watch my form on.

I will be
competing in the open and I know it’s going to be fun! I’m just using this year
as a learning experience and I plan to have a good time with it. So when next
year comes around I will be more prepared and know what to expect. I’m also
hoping there won’t be another seven minutes of burpees again…….burpees suck.

My favourite
CrossFit memory would definitely be “Filthy Fifty”.  It has 10 different exercises’ at fifty reps
each. It has a lot of exercises’ to it that I really like. It definitely
requires some mental grit because fifty burpees at the end really knocks’ a lot
out of you! After I finished I felt relief and a sense of accomplishment. That’s
when I realized I loved CrossFit!