January Athlete of the Month – Trent Broberg

“Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.” This is how one of our coaches described Trent when we did our monthly roundtable to decide the January Athlete of the Month. Even though Trent is probably one of the best and most consistent athletes in the gym, he never quite gets the recognition he deserves….unless we’re talking about his quads. Have you seen those things? We’ve got some serious quad envy over here. For real.

It’s fun to watch Trent WOD when he’s going rep for rep with the best athletes in the gym. He consistently posts one of the top times of the day. He’s a force to be reckoned with and he definitely pushes the other athletes to do more, to move faster, and to become stronger. He’s also one of the nicest guys in the gym and a total Marketing guru. He helps athletes with their lifts, he entertains our kids, he gives us marketing ideas, he helps new athletes feel welcome and he definitely helps us plan our social functions. Who do you think planned and shot the Incendia Harlem Shake? Mmmm hmmm, it was Trent!

Besides being a fantastic athlete, Trent is a solid, all-around good guy.  We feel very lucky to have Trent and his beautiful wife, Kristin, at Incendia.  Trent is going to become a father soon – for the very first time. Imagine the genes that baby is going to have. It’s going to be so cool to watch a second generation CrossFitter crush this CrossFit thing!

Congrats, Trent!

When did you start CrossFit:

As soon as Kristin told me to start! It’s not like I am going to tell her no… have you seen her throw weights!? Anyone familiar with Greek Mythology… Herculean… Kristin instructed me to start about a year and a half ago or else… I have genuinely loved it ever since.  (Else 1 vs. Trent 0)

Why did you start CrossFit:

Please refer to the aforementioned question above.  Who knows you better than your ball and chain?!?  The pairing worked wonderfully as I love sports, and am committed to leading a healthier life style. (see what I did just there?  I said “healthier” absolving me of all responsibility or guilt from sneaking a pizza or donut here and there… healthier than what?  Shrek?  Well I guess he is even paleo… damn) (Else 2 vs. Trent 0)

What kept you coming back/motivated:

1. A visceral fear that I will be reprimanded by my peers for cherry picking or being a ninny.  ‘That’s literally worse than a diaper full of spoiled shrimp, that’s been sitting in a windows-up sub compact all day in 114 degree heat’™. (Even – Else 2 vs. Trent 0)

2. Kristin and/or Brian Vayda will beat my Fran time if I don’t return (“Come get you some!” – Esteban) (Else 2 vs. Trent 1)

3. The community, all working towards a common goal, to be better than they were the day before.  Nothing fills me with joy more than seeing the look of surprise when you accomplish something you didn’t think possible, or push past a point untouched by your limits. Think Thanksgiving in relation to your jeans.  This is how your jeans feel! (Else 3 vs. Trent 1)

4. Have you seen how good looking our box is?! I mean come on! Everyone in there is smoking hot… Chris Petrie… Hot pot of Coffee!… Starbucks Coffee! (Else 4 vs. Trent 1)

What is the best thing you have gotten out of doing CrossFit?

The ability to share such a fun, powerful and emotional lifestyle with my best friend and wife lovely KFB, whom I have known for the better part of 17 years!  You know what they say, “couples that CrossFit^® together and have a really strong female makes for a de-masculated man often losing bets to cook dinner” (Else 5 vs. Trent 1)

What is the one thing you have done here that you never thought you could do?

It is literally impossible to pick one accomplishment throughout my CrossFit^® endevours – Most of what we do include things I never thought I could.  I’m sweating and getting the nervous pees now! Thanks!!  We are all faced with challenges every time we step into the box, many of them thought to be impossible (I know what you are thinking… damn double unders!  You will get them, keep at it!).  But, if I am forced to pick one here it goes… I showed up on Saturday 9am CrossFit^® 101 (open to the public for free).  We were tasked with a partner WOD of burpees (which we all like about as much as a poopy flavored lolli-pop, mmmmm) and running (joy). I noticed a younger kid with the look of intimidation and mild fear on his face (everyone knows this look and we all have it when we see our “goat” show up on a WOD).  It was also clearly his first time in the box as he was a bit lost.  Now, I am clearly very introverted and shy so I mustard up the courage and introduced myself “wanna be partners?!”.  I am by no means a coach, but at that moment I knew all he needed a bit of encouragement to push through some internal doubts.  We have all struggled (goodness knows when I was in grade school over weight, with braces and an eye patch for a year – I didn’t think I was a cool pirate!  I did, however, run the mile in 12.36!?! so there’s that). Long story short, by the end of the WOD he was drenched in sweat, smiling from ear to ear and I knew he had conquered the unconquerable.  That was cool! (Else 5 vs. Trent 2)

How has your diet changed since starting CrossFit?

Education in how the foods I consume affect how my body will perform. I am not getting any younger! Scott/Harry, when I was your age I had to walk to school, uphill, in hot sand, very soft hot sand!  I don’t eat a full paleo diet (mostly because of those delicious donuts, pizza, fro-yo, etc..,) but I do eat clean for the most part. (Else 5 vs. Trent 3)

What is one goal you have reached?

Defeat Brian Vayda at bags… yea that happened Halloween 2013!  David vs Goliath… I’ll let you figure out who is who… but I have a size 10 shoe and Brian wears a 14… or is it 13?   (Else 5 vs. Trent 4)

And one goal you still hope to reach?

To be as good of a father as those that surround me daily in the box.  I see the sacrifices and the love my fellow CrossFit^® fathers have for their children.  Each and every one of you, stop and pat yourselves on the back… followed quickly, very quickly, by giving your significant other a back massage because they are the boss!  Kids, although trying at times, are what’s it’s all about.  May I “PR” as a father in 2014!  (Else 6 vs. Trent 4)

Additional comments/anything you’d like to add?

I am sure there are many more deserving than myself, but I am humbled and honored to be part of Club Incendia and selected as the AoM! Thanks for everything you have done for us and the community! We may not be the strongest, but we sure have the most fun! (Else 6 vs. Trent 5)

Else wins… 6 to 5! Newman! I’ll have my revenge but for now this “for time” WOD is “Time capped” at 20 min. Which means I am unable complete the final question:

“You are shrunk to the height of a nickel and thrown into a blender. Your mass is reduced so that your density is the same as usual. The blades start moving in 60 seconds. What do you do?”

I’ll leave that to you… No we will not accept, the answer of “Bryan Holland”

Baba Booey – Teen Wolf!