Isaiah Freeman—June 2023 Athlete of the Month

1.Tell us about yourself, your family, your occupation, hobbies/interests.
I’m married to my beautiful wife Tanya and we have 3 beautiful children, one who resides in Heaven. My full time job is working at Frito Lay as a processing specialist, aka I make Funyuns, Cheetos, and baked puffs. My interests are staying out of the heat lol, and spending time out at the lake camping, and fishing.


2. When do you start CrossFitting? Why did you start? Why do you continue now?
I started CrossFit about 2 years ago, my brother Dominic had been in for awhile and was always talking about it. He convinced me to come down and just see what it was all about. I continue my journey for my own mental and physical well being! My kids test me all the time and I am able to keep up with them, so thats a huge plus!!


3. Do you remember your first WOD? What were your thoughts after your first WOD?
The only thing I remember about my first WOD was the intense headache, sweating profusely, and the thing rolling around in my head aka my brain. My first thought after the WOD was why would anyone submit themselves to that again. lol

4. What do you enjoy most about CrossFit?
I enjoy the camaraderie, the guys I work out with are the best! The coaches are always there to help out good or bad. The other thing I love is the ever changing workouts, everyday is different.


5. What is your proudest CrossFit moment?
My proudest moment was doing a strict pull-up, I never thought I would be able to do that again after high school. I finally also am able to squat past parallel, in almost all the movements. Much thanks to Patrick Hanson always telling me to go deeper!!


6. What is your favorite movement or lift? What is your least favorite?
My favorite lift by far is the deadlift, cause I feel like I am built for lifting! My least favorite are clean and jerks, I just need to keep going and getting better. All things will come in time I will continue to leave my ego at the door.


7. Have you had one or two challenging CrossFit goals that you've achieved recently? What are your current goals and how close are you to reaching them?
I have gotten better at my clean and jerks I think and my front squats. My current goals are to get more efficient in those movements, and to become a better athlete.


8. What makes CrossFit different from other fitness programs that you might have tried in the past?
I will be completely honest and say that CrossFit is the only fitness that I have ever done. I wish I would have started earlier!!



9. What impact has CrossFit Benedictus had on your life, in and out of the gym?
The biggest impact for me is having that extra energy to keep up with my kids and my wife! I love my box brothers and they continue to be there for me and push me to better myself.


10. Tell us about your nutrition and how it has changed, if any, since starting CrossFit?
My diet really has not changed except the fact I drink a lot more water than I have ever have in my life! Oh yeah I do not eat any candy bars since the Snickers workout!

11. If you could write a WOD for the classes to do, what would it look like?
My workout would include a lot of back squats, combined with running, and sit ups.


12. What advice do you have for others about the importance of the dedication of taking care of yourself, of investing in yourself?
My advice is that mental health goes hand in hand with physical health! I was always foggy brain wise, and this has helped me get rid of that. You only have one life make it your best life and keep coming back.


13. What advice would you give to someone new to CrossFit or who is thinking about giving it a try? My advice would be to give it a go, and just keep coming back. The coaches are Amazing and so are my teammates they always will lift you up, and support you through thick and thin!