Every month we get to shine a spotlight on someone in our community who embodies what CrossFit Lincoln is all about — showing up, putting in the work, and making everyone around them better just by being here. This month, we are thrilled to celebrate Derek, who is nearing 900 classes and has been a member for almost eight years.
A lot can change in eight years. Derek became a father, his life evolved, and so did his approach to fitness — and through all of it, he kept showing up. That kind of consistency is rare, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Derek is one of our longest-tenured members and he genuinely gets the community piece of CrossFit. He leads by example — whether that’s his effort on the floor or serving as a model for some of the higher-skilled gymnastics movements that newer athletes are working toward.
And when he’s not in class? He’s still moving. Cycling, working out at home, finding moments throughout the day to stay active. As Derek put it himself, it’s about finding ways to move — and that mindset is exactly what it’s all about.
Tell us a little about yourself:
Originally from a farm near Edgar, Nebraska, I’ve called Lincoln home since 2011. I’m the owner and dentist at Family and Implant Dentistry here in town. Outside of dentistry, my amazing wife Karli and I are kept on our toes by our two-and-a-half-year-old son, Hunter — and we cherish every busy moment of it.
What first brought you to CrossFit, and what keeps you coming back?
A friend who was doing CrossFit Lincoln at the time recommended I try it out, and that was about eight years ago now. I haven’t looked back since. CFL gives me that competitive spark to push myself harder than I ever would on my own — and that’s something I just can’t replicate anywhere else.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Staying open-minded and always being ready to learn. In a place like this, there’s always something new to work on, and I think that mindset is what keeps me growing.
Favorite movement — and least favorite?
The Murph workout is one of those things that just hits differently for me. There’s such a powerful sense of patriotism tied to it that makes every rep feel meaningful. As for least favorite — let’s just say my stubby little legs were never meant to launch a 20-pound ball ten feet into the air. Wall balls and I have an understanding: we tolerate each other.
How has CrossFit impacted your life outside the gym?
Whether I’m at CrossFit, cycling, or training at home, staying active provides the mental clarity I need to show up as a better boss, husband, and father. The gym gives me more than fitness — it gives me the headspace to be the person my family and team need me to be.
What advice would you give to someone brand new to CrossFit?
Regardless of who you are, what you look like, or what you believe, we all walk into this class with the same goal: to get better. That’s it. You belong here.
