Every year, we’ve chosen a male and female that stood out to us and exemplified the things that we look for in members of our community. We call this award The Iron Buffalo. The athletes chosen were not limited to physical ability alone, although both of these athletes are quite talented in their individual areas. The award also encompasses their ability to connect with their fellow CFA members, their continuous drive, and their commitment not only to this community, but to their own longevity, health, and overall being.
As we were considering the elements of this award, Tim turned to his own family and his own history. The Buffalo has been a symbol in his family for many years. From family homesteading a ranch in Buffalo, Texas where he and his brother made many childhood memories, to his hometown in Bartlesville, OK where Buffalo statues line the intersections of the city. Even the company formed to purchase the gym, The Buffalo Collective, uses the symbol.
The Buffalo, in Native American culture symbolizes a spirit of abundance and friendship. As a totem it symbolizes earth-centeredness, selflessness, and the power of a team unit. The buffalo itself is a symbol of power. It has the strength the carry heavy burdens, not just physically, but in all aspects. We find all of these qualities to be what we looked for in our athletes of the year and could not be more proud to call them the Iron Buffalo recipients.
These athletes exemplify all of these amazing qualities and more. They lead by example. They work hard. Their family and friends are a priority in their lives and they uplift and encourage those around them. We are so honored to share the interviews of our 2025 Iron Buffalo recipients, Allison Cleaver & Jack Smith. Congratulations you two! We’re grateful to have you as a part of this team and this family.
ALLISON CLEAVER
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When did you join the CFA community? June 2020
What is one of your most memorable moments from your early days at CFA? Any ‘newbie’ stories you’d like to share?
Prior to joining the gym, Matt started during the COVID quarantine and watching him struggling doing double-unders on our balcony through a zoom call was something I will always remember! I am in the other room hearing everyone huffing and puffing on the computer… I was sold! I wanted to try CFA shortly after!
What is it about CFA that you love or that is different from other sports/programs you’ve tried? I really love the community and the variety of programming the gym has. Everyone has always been welcoming and encouraging. This is very important to me!
What advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time to when you first started CrossFit? “Keep showing up! You’ll surprise yourself!”
My initial reason for starting my CF journey was to complement my long-distance running. However, my mindset slightly shifted because I began to truly enjoy lifting weights instead of the monotonous routine of running mileage every day. This is when my hyrox journey began. After having two kids though, my why has changed because I want to be strong for them, and show them what working towards a goal looks like.
How did you create long term fitness/CrossFit success for yourself? I always grew up being active. My dad introduced me to running at a young age and I found a love for it. Running in college truly helped develop my discipline, resilience, and stubbornness to help me be successful. A huge plus that I have a husband with the same energy to share a fitness journey with!
What makes you come in and train on days when you don’t want to? I always tell myself whether it’s a workout, or a run, “You are going to feel so much better afterwards!” Having my workout outfit already picked out the night before really does help. Also, having a husband who is a coach helps motivate me to get out the door. HAHA!
Recent PRs? Just hit a bench press PR! Matt and I hitting a mixed doubles Hyrox PR was SO fun!
Current training goals? Training for Houston Hyrox in March! Would love to snag a little PR!
Tell us about an obstacle you have had to work through in your training. How did you work through it? I can honestly say, my postpartum journey the first time was a challenge because it involved a lot of unknowns. It was a very humbling experience because I really felt I would bounce back quickly. That was definitely not the case. Having Heidi help me progress from basic foundations to the CF classes was a game changer. Also, being patient.
What is your cheat meal go to? Chips, queso and a margarita! (maybe 2!)
What does the Iron Buffalo title mean to you? The Iron Buffalo to me, embodies strength, consistency, and grit. Being mentally tough even when it hurts and showing up when things get hard. Someone who is a leader of a herd by motivating/encouraging everyone so people can push towards the best version of themselves.
Thoughts upon winning the title? I was very surprised!! Cried happy tears! I am so honored to be an Iron Buffalo. Thank y’all so much.
How will you use your new found Buffalo Strength? My “Buffalo Strength” will encourage me more to focus on the “little things.” As I am getting older, my body isn’t as resilient as it once was. I have been focusing on exercises at home or outside of the gym to help with this. Also, I want to continue building people up. This is how everyone gets stronger together. I get so much joy seeing people reach their goals!
What are you most excited about in the upcoming year? Gym related and/or personally? I am most excited about focusing on my strength this year! I really want to hone in on the strength segments in Crossfit. This will help translate to the strength I need for Hyrox racing/road racing. Maybe dabble into some road racing this year, TBD. But really trying to work on my mobility and ancillary exercises to help keep “the car” running smoothly.
Leave the fine folks of CFA with some parting wisdom. ALWAYS bet on yourself. You’ll be surprised how much you can grow if you keep believing in yourself. Keep showing up!
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JACK SMITH
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When did you join the CFA community? June 2022
What is one of your most memorable moments from your early days at CFA? Any ‘newbie’ stories you’d like to share? I’m warming up for an open workout with KG in the weightlifting area. You had to pick your first weight and work up to a max in the workout. That first pull went up unbelievably easy! I thought I was a beast, until I realized the plates in the back are KG. What is it about CFA that you love or that is different from other sports/programs you’ve tried?
Coaches and community that help you stay accountable and welcome. This has created new friends and with it a love of running. What advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time to when you first started CrossFit? Just pick one area and focus there without trying to get there overnight. What was your initial reason for starting (your ‘why’)? How has that ‘Why’ changed? Initially my why was being able to play just as hard as my kids without losing breath in five minutes. Now it’s about identity, longevity, and mental health to always show up for my family and self. How did you create long term fitness/CrossFit success for yourself? Consistently showing up, remaining curious, and being open to coaching. What makes you come in and train on days when you don’t want to? My alarm clock and sheer willpower. I’m also deeply tuned into what consistency creates for me personally, and I love the results. Recent PRs? Just over 17 hours to hit a 200k meter row in month of December. Current training goals? Mobility, form and pacing. Getting a sub 4 marathon would be cool. Tell us about an obstacle you have had to work through in your training. How did you work through it? The biggest obstacle I had to work through was myself! I tried to do everything at once: get a muscle-up, improve my distance running, hit RX in workouts, and increase flexibility. It was simply too much. I ended up overtraining and achieving none of it. What is your cheat meal go to? Going out to eat. What does the Iron Buffalo title mean to you? To me, the Iron Buffalo represents a milestone of shared resilience in my fitness journey. It’s not just an acknowledgment of my personal growth, but proof that the members around me endured and succeeded collectively. I am truly honored and proud to be recognized as that person. Thoughts upon winning the title? I was surprised. When I look at the past Iron Buffalo recipients, I didn’t think I had enough experience to be counted among them. How will you use your new found Buffalo Strength? Well, I was thinking I might just retire from fitness and sit on my porch in all the glory! Kidding, of course. But it really does feel different being honored with an award like this. My Buffalo Strength will be used to double down on the principles this award stands for. Inspire those around me just as past recipients have for me. What are you most excited about in the upcoming year? Gym related and/or personally? 2025 was incredibly tough. Switching to a new job in February meant way more hours, sleepless nights fighting hackers, and constant worry about the companies’ technology stability. Trying to maintain my fitness journey and lead my family through all that felt like a continuous battle. For 2026, I am most excited about the shift from surviving to truly thriving. My focus is on stability and growth. I’m excited because I’ve found ways to endure the demands of the new role while staying firmly focused on my fitness and continuing to build strong, happy memories with my fam. This year is about building upon the solid foundation I’ve fought so hard to lay. Leave the fine folks of CFA with some parting wisdom. Three simple truths: You can’t have all the PRs at once, your willpower is sometimes a liar, and listen to your body when it asks for a rest day! Future self will thank you. |
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) and jumped into Night of Champions without hesitation. He embodies exactly what we hope for in our athletes: coachable, kind, involved, and always growing. Scott, you’re a bright spot in thisgym, and we’re excited to see where you go from here. Congrats, and thank you for being a standout example of what CFA is all about.
