1. What is your nickname?
Most people end up calling me Daniel, Dan, or DJ. Also used to Jordan, but that’s just the cost of having two first names and being in the military over the years.
2. What are your favorite hobbies, talents, skills outside of CrossFit?
I’ve been tied into the music scene around Tulsa for quite some time although I’ve recently hung the hat up, but I still enjoy playing music. Big time gardener and outdoorsman, anything to keep my hands busy. I’ll take a project to do over watching Netflix any day of the week.
3. How did you find/get to CrossFit Eclipse?
My wife & I had our first kiddo in December 2023. I proceeded to eat my heart out and was probably in the worst shape I’ve ever been with the diet of a 13 year old fat kid. I didn’t like looking at myself in the mirror and just felt all around unhealthy and weak. I wasn’t prioritizing my body and started to feel those effects when doing basic things and projects around the house. Got fed up with it.
My dad wasn’t around much when I was a kid and I just had a comin-to-jesus moment and decided I needed to change. Wanted to give CrossFit a shot and CFE was literally a mile from my house, so… Here we are!
4. What motto or phrase do you live by?
“Ships are safe in harbors, but that’s not what ships are for.”
I’ve heard this phrase a few times in my life and have always loved it. I interpret it as putting yourself out there, trying new things, and challenging yourself is the only way to find out our purpose and what we are here for.
5. What is your favorite music to listen to while WODing?
I’m gonna get a lot of flack for this, but it’s usually something chill & laid back. I’ve been known to listen to Hall & Oates, John Mayer, RHCP, stuff like that.
6. What is your favorite WOD?
I’ve only been CrossFitting since August of last year, but I’d have to say “The Chief”.
5 Rounds x AMRAP 3:
3 power cleans
6 push-ups
9 air squats
7. What is your favorite cheat foods?
I’m a big fan of food and I think trying new foods & exploring different cuisines should be a requirement for living. My biggest cheat food would have to be pho, a Vietnamese soup. I could eat it every day. It’s a little high in sodium, but generally not THAT bad for you but you could definitely make it as bad for you as you want with all the fixin’s and sauces you add to the broth. Every Friday I celebrate “pho-riday” and hit up my local spot – look forward to it every week.
8. What is one thing you have done at CFE that you never thought you would do?
Probably a toss up between being able to bench press 225# or consistently getting up as early as I do to come to the 6:30am class.
9. What motivates you through your CrossFit journey?
I really just want to be able to have a high level of functional strength and be generally healthy. I’ve found that the more I work out the more I focus on other healthier habits (nutrition, not being glued to the TV, etc) – there’s a correlation there that I find really important. I also want to be a good example for my family and be able to provide for them and my home.
10. What results have you seen so far in coming to CFE?
Man, just seeing progress in every strength piece has been wild. I know the climb will slow down eventually, but I’ve been seeing consistent improvements in every major lift – bench press, front/back squat, deadlift, power cleans, etc. And I also feel generally stronger and just having more energy on the day to day, so… That’s pretty cool to me.
11. Do you have any special or successful CrossFit Eclipse memories/moments?
I really enjoyed participating in the CFE 24.3 open workout Friday Night Lights!
12. What sort of life changes have you experienced because of CrossFit that you didn’t expect?
I mentioned it earlier, but definitely just having a higher focus on everything else I do with my nutrition and my body. My posture has been a lot better too, which makes sense. I also feel like I’m a little less hesitant to try new things and challenge myself. My threshold of being comfortable with being uncomfortable has definitely changed.
13. What advice would you give to a newbie or someone just joining CrossFit Eclipse?
Don’t be scared to try new things. Remember that everyone in that building has good intentions and the only thing they want is for you tor simply show up. So… Just show up and whatever happens after that is cherries, man.
14. Current training Goals/PRs?
Complete my first Murph unpartitioned with a vest.
Getting my first muscle up.
15. If you could create a WOD and name it for yourself, what would it be?
“Crackin’ Open Tall Boys”
FOR TIME
5-4-3-2-1
*00m Row (500 -> 400 -> 300, etc)
Rope climbs
30” Box jumps
16. Cowboys or Sooners? Easy… SPORTS!