May Athlete of the Month: Chris Petrie
Have you met Chris Petrie yet? “Peach” is one of the nicest and hardest working guys in the gym. You’ll regularly see him pushing a double stroller or introducing himself to new Members or talking about Dave Ramsey or having a beer with his buddies post-WOD…..or seriously throwing down in the Competitors Class.
We have watched Peach make continuous improvements since he joined Incendia on Day One. He has been described as a “Blur,” from fellow gym members because he can MOVE. The guy just keeps going. Not long ago, a bunch of us had the pleasure of watching Peach in his first competition, The AZ Fire and Police Games in Tucson. He missed the podium by just a couple of spots, but made his name known. We all agree that Peach is going to be dangerous next year and we can’t wait!
Athletic performance aside, what makes Peach really special is his commitment to his family and educating others about debt and a debt-free life. He writes a blog called Debt Free Me Please where he shares his passion for helping people become debt free. Peach will also be leading Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University at CrossFit Incendia for nine weeks beginning June 23, 2013. We think that this might be one of the first times that FPU has been hosted in a CrossFit Box. Getting Financially Fit while getting Physically Fit. What a revolutionary idea. Thanks, Peach!
When Did you start CrossFit:
I first started CrossFit in July 2008 and then took a break (stupid) from 2009-2012 and then returning to CrossFit at Incendia in November 2012
Why Did you start CrossFit:
I have been friends with Brian Vayda since 2007 and when he told me he would be opening a gym in my area I thought I should get back into it.
What kept you coming back/motivated:
The quality of the gym. I have always been a member of a gym somewhere, but the quality of coaches, the members and the amount of FUN that we have as a group keeps me coming back and motivated.
What is the best thing you have gotten out of doing CrossFit:
As a firefighter we get yearly physicals. I turned 30 this year and when I went in for my physical my results were BETTER than my results when I was 23 years old.
What is the one thing you have done here that you never thought you could do?
Front squats. I have ALWAYS avoided them, tried to come up with reasons not to do them and used to despise them. Today, I can say I actually look forward to anything with a front squat.
What is one goal you have reached? And one goal you still hope to reach?
This year I knew I wanted to attend a CrossFit competition and I did at the Police/Fire Games in Tucson. I did not reach the podium this last time so my next goal is to be on that podium at the next event (top 3).
How has your diet changed since starting CrossFit?
My wife Andrea told me she wanted to do Paleo and I was hesitant at first. But, I reluctantly decided to join her and now I feel better on a daily basis and will continue to eat Paleo.
What do you tell your friends about CrossFit?
Most of my friends are in CrossFit, either at Incendia or somewhere else. But the few that are not, I tell them it’s WORTH it. The cost is the biggest thing people shy away from but I remind them they really can’t afford not to be at CrossFit. We work out together, compete together and then even have a beer afterwards….how is that not worth it?
Additional comments/anything you’d like to add:
I have been an athlete my entire life. I wrestled and played football in high school and even was fortunate enough to wrestle at Arizona State. I have had A LOT of different fitness instruction and techniques along the way but NOTHING compares to quality of fitness and results we get at Incendia. Nothing is better than Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing screaming at you from overhead while you are doing “Fight Gone Bad” and your friends are screaming at you to go harder. My best friends are my biggest competition and my wife is my biggest fan. That’s CrossFIt at Incendia.
