“Stefan has been a consistent member at CFL and always brings the energy. He shows up with a positive attitude and is constantly looking on ways to improve in and out of the gym!”
Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? What do you do for a living/study? Feel free to add more.
So, if you have not met me before, I’m the tall guy with the often-times mad scientist hair and varying levels of sarcastic outbursts depending on the time of the workout (Erin gets the least, Austin gets the most). Some of my favorite movements include (full depth) snatches, wall-balls, KB swings, and running. I am originally from Denver, Colorado. My mom is a Colorado native and my Dad immigrated from the UK. They both met in Colorado, and soon after raised three very loud, tall boys who have been described as “identical” if you are to listen in on a phone conversation between them. They desperately wanted a girl and we have offered our condolences ever since.
I have spent most of my life in Denver before I travelled to Laramie, Wyoming for school, where I spent the next five and a half years. I have had the privilege of travelling briefly to almost all fifty states, and spending three month stints in Phoenix, Pasadena, and Jacksonville. I moved to Lincoln a year and a half ago to buy my first house, and start something new in the Midwest.
I originally went to school for Mechanical Engineering, but after taking my first coding class, I immediately switched to Computer Science. I soon graduated near the top of my class, and I now work as a Full Stack Software Engineer, and more recently with a focus on Data Science and Machine Learning. No, it is not the same as AI.
How did you find out about Lincoln Nutrition & Fitness?
When I first moved here, finding a new gym to replace my old gym in Laramie was a top priority. I immediately searched for Crossfit Affiliates in the Lincoln area, and this one appeared first. I was skeptical about the initial reviews, but I also knew that all CrossFit gyms tend to carry a bit of a stigma. My old gym was amazing, shout out to Mike and Nicole, so that carried me through the decision to try out a class anyway, and obviously I loved it, because I have been coming back ever since!
What was the biggest obstacle for you to start?
When I first started CrossFit, I sucked at everything besides running. Not kidding. I found everything very difficult, and my limb proportions have never helped. I ran track and field and did a lot of cross country in high school, but that was nothing compared to this sport. Ironically, my biggest obstacle was snatches and overhead squats. These are two movements that I now love to practice above many others. I took something that absolutely broke my perception of my body, and made it into my personal crowning achievement.
How did you overcome that obstacle?
With snatches and overhead squats, not only did I have to repeatedly practice good technique (many times, with an empty bar), I had to readjust many of my limiting mobility factors. From my shoulders to my ankles, I had to train and mold everything a little differently. In addition to training the movements and watching my body carefully, I religiously perform stretching and cognitive exercises that I still follow through with to this day. It helps that I have had many wonderful coaches along the way to give me cues and patterns to work on. I wouldn’t have the perfect-ish snatches I have today if it weren’t for them!
Do you remember your first workout?
I do. It was actually with my Dad back in Denver at least seven years ago. I had to put plates behind my heels for most of the squatting movements, and became gassed very quickly with the combination of cardio and weighted movements. Obviously this was a really humbling and embarrassing experience for me, but it was something new, something to conquer, and so I soon got into my own schedule with my own gym.
Who have your coaches been? How have they helped you through your first year of CrossFit?
In the context of my first year at CrossFit Lincoln, I have had the privilege of having almost all of the coaches work with me. I tend to switch between the 5:30 PM and 6:00 AM classes, and have had Cassaundra, Emily, Erin, Landon, Austin, Derek, Mark, Logan, and Aaron. Each coach has a very unique and systemic style of helping me improve a little bit each day. No matter how frustrated I seem during a workout, I always appreciate their input!
Why do you keep coming back to Lincoln Nutrition & Fitness?
I love the coaches and I love the people. I have never had a bad experience with either and as I have stated before, I think Emily does a terrific job of creating a very inclusive environment. However, somewhat selfishly, my highest reason for returning each day is the impact that exercise has on my mental health. It’s something that I require to stay grounded and confident with the changes that I can make within myself.
How do you balance health & fitness with a busy schedule? How do you stay so consistent in the gym?
There is no balance, I force exercise and consistency into my schedule. It doesn’t matter if I’ve had a really busy day, if I have a quiet day, or anything in between. I know the schedule of all the classes in the gym, and there is no excuse that I give myself to back out. This is part of why I tend to bounce around different class times. Sometimes I just have to edit the schedule on the fly!
How does CrossFit help you with your job? How does CrossFit affect the rest of your life?
While I think I’ve already portrayed the positive impact that Crossfit has on my life, I can definitely speak as to how it is also particularly helpful with my job. My job and the environment I am in requires me to think through really complex problems for 8-10 hours a day, every day, while jumping around different micro-tasks, and assisting coworkers/team members when I can.
I am extremely passionate and interested in what I do, and tend to not take many “off” days. While I fully realize that there are many more demanding jobs out there, I feel like this continual barrage of information and necessary parsing is draining. CrossFit provides the exercise and “me time” that tends to aid my clarity. It allows me to take a step back and take a fresh perspective on something that I have been overthinking, and it just gives me a chance to step away from the screens for a minute.
What is your favorite thing about Lincoln Nutrition & Fitness: Home of CrossFit Lincoln?
My favorite thing is the environment that all of the coaches and its people provide. It is an extremely welcoming community that still gives you those difficult CrossFit workouts. I also appreciate all of the local events and volunteering opportunities that the gym provides, as this is something that I have not regularly seen at other gyms. At the end of the day, it’s not a place I have to coerce myself into, I want to go! I want to see all the people, and I want to receive feedback from each of the unique coaches.
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