Name: Brandon Willis

Age: 44

Occupation: Stay at Home Dad

When did you first start CrossFit?

I started in July of 2015.

Tell us about your sports & fitness background.

Played football in high school, other than that have not done much, which is why I’m here now!

How did you first get into CrossFit? How did it go?

Ethan had been going to the kids class for a few months and I would just sit there while they did their stuff and wait and watch.  Grace was his coach at the time and would always jokingly (threateningly) ask if I wanted to join the regular class.  Then in July there was a couch to Crossfit class that started and was taught by Osas, July 7 2015 the baseline WOD took me 12:05 to complete and I thought I was going to die, and had no idea how you guys did this every day.

August 1 2015 we did our “final” which was a repeat of the baseline and I did it in 8:25 seconds, with almost a 4 minute difference it all just started to sink in. Like Coach Nate says, “One day at a time”.

What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health, and fitness since starting CrossFit?

I’m a big guy so the weight is always a struggle, but overall I have gained huge amounts of muscle, I have had to buy smaller shirts, and pants. My doctors always say my blood work is good, and I have even dropped the dosages of some of my medications, and even stopped a few, as someone with Diabetes, that’s a big deal.

What impact has CrossFit had on your life?

Just overall healthier, somewhat more conscious about decisions regarding foods, and drinks, able to do more things easier than when I started CrossFit.

What is your advice for people getting started or thinking about starting CrossFit?

Go in and try it, everything can be scaled and modified to get the same end results, or close to it.  Coaches at every CrossFit Box we have been to have always been nice, helpful, and respectful (even in New Jersey!!), just tell them what you think you can and can’t do and together you will find what works.

What are your hobbies, interests, and other talents outside of CrossFit?

I like hanging out with my family, and our 5 ( yes 5 ) dogs, I cook, still play video games, and am the technical fixer in the house.  No real talents, except for the fact I can fold my ear up into a tiny little square.