July Athlete of the Month-Aaron “Fro” Douthit
In an effort to get to know the fine folks of CrossFit Austin, we embark on our Athlete of the Month series. Each month we will spotlight a different CFA athlete. This month we have the stylish Aaron “Fro” Douthit….
State your Name and/or Nickname please.
– Aaron “Fro” Douthit
Occupation?
– Software Developer at the Texas General Land Office
Words to live by?
“That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger” — Friedrich Nietzche
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” — Socrates
“The Dude abides.” — Jeffrey “Dude” Lebowski
What is your fitness background?
– I’ve always been active, playing pick up basketball and tackle/touch football with friends and family. I was in competitive athletics (mostly football and wrestling) until high school, and took a sabbatical from fitness until college. During and after college I became a normal gym rat, doing chest/tri’s/bi’s workouts with leg workouts separating them. I continued with that format up until a year or so before I joined CFA.
I enjoy road races up to 10ks and have recently become hooked on adventure racing, having run in the Warrior Dash a couple months back in Fourney.
How long have you been CrossFitting?
– Since mid February, so about 4 1/2 months.
What’s your favorite part of CrossFit?
– I love working out and hanging with my fellow CFA’ers and coaches.
What are your training goals?
– My goals are to be able to do a muscle-up by the end of the year, compete in next year’s sectionals, finish a 10 mi obstacle course race in February, and reach the Half-ton club.
Favorite sport or activity?
– Pick-up basketball. Honorable mentions to ping pong, ultimate frisbee, and competitive eating at Fogo de Chao (I know I can eat more than 2lbs and 4 oz of steak).
Recent adventure you’re planning?
– MudQuest in West, TX on the 2nd of October (6.5 mi course with with 30+ obstacles) and Tough Mudder in Austin (actually Taylor) on the 5th of February (10 mi course with 18 obstacles)
Tell us something we don’t know about you?
– I studied and played the Viola growing up.
Longhorns or Aggies?
– Neither. Sic ’em, Bears!!! (Please, stop laughing. We might actually make a bowl game this year. Crap, now you’re laughing harder, aren’t you?)
Does your lack of a mustache hinder your performance in your chosen profession, and when are we going to see the true manifestation of your nickname (Fro)?
– I want to say yes. However, the closest I’ve ever come to rocking a mustache was when I sported what I dubbed the Conquistador look: mustache with soul patch extending to the chin. I quickly removed it after a friend of my informed me he loved my “70’s porn ‘stache”. So, I’m pretty certain that’s not the image I’m wanting to promote. As for my namesake, once the weather starts getting cooler, I’m going to forsake haircuts until I’ve restored my afro to its former glory. I’m feeling frisky enough that I might even throw down the gauntlet and challenge wes to a Fro off.
Leave the fine folks of CrossFit Austin with some parting words?
– It’s funny to think that I’ve only been a member of CFA for the past 4-plus months when I consider some of the on-ramp goals that I’ve already accomplished. I’ve seen an amazing shift in my body’s tissue composition, adopted a Paleo dietary lifestyle (which has rubbed off on some of my family members who are in turn seeing results), dropped ~35 pounds, met Fran and Helen, and discovered what I’m physically capable of when encouraged/goaded on by the coaches and when applying my will.
Also, in that short time, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting all of the amazing people involved with the gym, especially getting to spend quality (if sometimes agonizing) time getting know Tristy, Boone, and Wes. CFA could have been just another gym I joined that had atypical exercise equipment and interesting programming. Instead, it is my daily fitness Mecca because of every CrossFitter I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the pain with during my time with CFA, who have pushed me to my physical limits because they are doing the same to themselves. Keep it up, CFA!!
Old School Fro
Fro these days!