August Athlete of the Month: Michael Page

State your Name and/or Nickname please:
Michael Page a.k.a. Michael

Words to live by? 
In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” –Psalms 56:4
“Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’.” –Shawshank Redemption
“When life gives you shit, make a shit sandwich.” –My Dad

What is your fitness background?
Way back in my high school days I ran track and cross-country. After that I was a “seasonal” weightlifter/runner. I’d workout for 4 months then lose interest. Before I started CrossFit, I took fitness to another level by joining a skee-ball drinking league. And that’s when I realized I needed a better workout program.

How long have you been CrossFitting?
I actually had to look this up. Started “On Ramp” in Jan. 2011. So 1.5-ish years.

What’s your favorite part of CrossFit Austin?
Battling the WOD. Besides waking up, it’s my first challenge of the day. I love looking at the board/website to find out what I’m up against. WOD and I have it out every class. The SOB knocks me on the ground almost every time, but I manage to get a victory every once in a while. There hasn’t been a 6:30am class yet that I didn’t feel an adrenaline rush right before WOD and I go toe-to-toe.

What are your training goals?
Gain muscle and endurance. Be more consistent with my diet. Maybe one day join the half-ton club.

Favorite sport or activity?
Football. Whether it’s national, college, flag, paper – It’s the most exciting sport to play or watch.

Recent adventure you’re planning?
I feel like I need to be a Goonie or Peter Pan to answer this question. At the moment I don’t have anything adventurous going on…wait…wedding anniversary! BAM! Just remembered I have my one-year wedding anniversary in October. And it’s going to be a great adventure. I hope my wife likes searching for missing treasure, because it’s on.

Tell us something we don’t know about you…
I’m a burger connoisseur. So far, I’ve tried 52 different burgers in Austin. After college I realized I was wolfing down 3-4 a week. But I’ve come to grips with my addiction since then. Now, I only eat one a week. So I’m always on the hunt for a tasty burger.

Longhorns or Aggies?
I’m not a fan of this question so I rewrote it.
Red Raider, Longhorn or Aggies? Oh, definitely Red Raider.

As the original “Michael” of CFA, you’ve got some status. If you had to pick a nickname, what would it be and why?
I’m pretty bad at math early in the morning. For some reason that area in my brain is not awake. I’m always looking for the calculator in class. Hmm, how bout…Mad Math Mike or Math Page?

Leave the fine folks of CrossFit Austin with some parting words…
Don’t be afraid to apply what you learn in class to the rest of your life. Besides class, we’re tested every day. Whether it’s our careers, school, finances, relationships, whatever– life is always going to try to knock you to your knees and keep you there. But just like in class, we don’t know what we’re truly capable of accomplishing until we give it a try. Until we fight a little harder. Hang on a little longer. Only then, do we see what’s possible.