February 2017 Incendian of the Month – Patrick Andersen

We are excited to honor the February 2017 Incendian of the Month: Patrick Andersen! 

Patrick walked into Incendia in December 2016 and in just a few short months, has made a lasting impression on the #IncendiaFAM. Known as the first guy to say hello, the first person to offer help in any situation and the first person to like Wodify performances, we can barely remember a community without Patrick. His enthusiasm for CrossFit is absolutely contagious and has caused many of us to re-ignite our CrossFit Spirit! Not to mention…..this guy is damn fast and has quickly become a contender for one of the fastest dudes in the gym! 

Patrick recently completed 17.2 in a heat of one (that’s right, he did it all by himself). We were so excited to watch him get his bar muscle ups in a WOD that the entire gym erupted in screams late on a Friday night. It was truly one of the best moments we’ve witnessed inside these walls in the last 4.5 years. 

Congratulations Patrick! We are so glad you are here and can’t wait to see what you accomplish next!

When did you start CrossFit:

I started doing CrossFit back in August of 2016 in Escondido California. I had known about CrossFit long before starting it, however, I was hesitant in beginning the program because people had filled my head with “it’s really bad for you and you can get injured easily.” Despite their efforts, I went in for my initial foundation classes to learn the basic movements and from there the love affair started (shhh, don’t tell my wife 😉 I had officially drank the “CrossFit Kool-Aid”

Why did you start CrossFit:

I started CrossFit mostly because I wasn’t satisfied with my physical fitness. Prior to this I had worked out at a “Globo Gym” back in Escondido, did T-25 and P90X, etc. I’d get some results in the beginning but repeating the same workouts over and over began to get boring and I’d start to plateau. Also, I’d find myself making excuses to not workout (I was too busy at work, too tired, etc.) I wasn’t being held accountable for my workouts. I liked the idea of CrossFit because the workouts were constantly different and infinitely scalable. I also enjoyed working out with others who had the same passion for their fitness. This resulted in meeting some wonderful new people who I looked forward to seeing on a daily basis. Patricia and I don’t have any family here so I look at Incendia as my adopted family. I’ve felt welcome since the day I set foot in the gym back in December #incendiaFAM #fearthepanda

What kept you coming back and what keeps you motivated:

I kept coming back because I enjoyed the challenge of completing the days’ workout. CrossFit allows me to take one hour of my day and dedicate it to working on myself as an athlete. I also have goals (3 months, 6 months, one year) in mind that I want to reach and with those goals comes dedication to making my workouts a priority. Whether it’s completing a WOD in the gym or completing a WOD while on vacation I make sure to get my workouts in.

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

I feel that my stamina is a lot better since I’ve started CrossFit and I’ve lost excess fat and replaced that fat with muscle. I’ve also noticed a lot more self confidence in myself mentally and physically. As cheesy as this sounds I’ve felt very self-conscious about having my shirt off. I made it a goal from day one to actually find my abs which I can safely say I can finally see (go me!)

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

The dreaded overhead squat. I’ve had severe mobility issues most of my adult life which stem from working a desk job. I recently was able to complete a WOD which called for overhead squats. I think I high fived the entire gym as I couldn’t contain my excitement.

What is one goal you have reached? And, one goal you still hope to reach?

I recently ran one mile under the 6-minute mark (5:49). Never, in my wildest dreams did I think I could run a mile in under 6 minutes. Running runs in my family (no pun intended) however I was never someone who would run for fun. Completing that milestone was a big deal and I can truly thank CrossFit for allowing me to obtain that goal.

I have a lot of goals I’d still like to reach, however, one that completely sticks out in my mind is to complete the workout “Helen” in under 10 minutes. This was the very first named workout I ever did and I made it a goal of mine after I completed it to RX that workout and finish it in under 10 minutes. I’m coming for you “Helen.”

How has your diet changed since starting CrossFit?

I’ve become a lot more cognizant about my eating schedule. I have a strict eating schedule I try to maintain, even if I am on the road. I will eat every 2-3 hours (a good lean protein, a healthy carb and make sure to drink plenty of water) I also realize that I need calories in order to maintain my energy levels. I’ve thought for so long that less is better and that couldn’t be further from the truth. I can definitely feel a difference in a workout if I don’t maintain proper nutrition and hydration.

What is your favorite…..

CrossFit Movement or Lift? – Deadlift, mostly because it’s the movement I can lift the most weight 😉

Cheat Meal? – Pizza and Ice Cream; because let’s be honest; who doesn’t love both of these?

WOD Music? – Anything with a good beat (i.e. DJ Francis – Get Low) that song gets my blood pumping every time.

Thing to Do on Rest Day? – Kick my feet up and take in a MN Wild or MN Timberwolves game on TV. You can take me out of MN, but you can’t take the MN out of me.

WOD Attire? – My purple tee-shirt with gray shorts (my alma mater colors from St. Thomas University in St. Paul MN)

Workout? – Anything with deadlifts, squats, rowing, running.

Additional comments/anything you’d like to add?

I’m not one for having great words of wisdom but CrossFit has changed my life in so many ways. I’ve found a self confidence that I never knew existed. In all, I have taken the benefits of training within a CrossFit community and adapted them to all areas of my life. I have conquered my insecurities and I no longer get preoccupied with my how my body looks. It is within adapting the values that CrossFit promotes that has changed my life. I couldn’t be more proud to be part of this wonderful Incendia community.