February Athlete of the Month || Derek Peterson!!
Each month we spotlight a different CFA athlete who stands out and shows just how awesome they are. What is it that makes up an Athlete of the Month? It may not be the person that finishes the fastest, Rx’s every WOD, or gets a PR every time they walk in the gym. Although we love and celebrate when those things happen, the Athlete of the Month is made up of much more than physical ability. This person shows up, gives their best every time, and then gives a little more. They are hungry to learn and always ready to do the work. They support their fellow classmates and encourage them to reach their goals. This athlete embodies what we believe the CrossFit Austin Community should be about.
Our February Athlete of the Month is Derek Peterson! Derek joined our family in April of 2018, but it feels like he’s always been a part of the crew. He very quickly found his place in the community and has been a welcoming face for everyone who’s come after him. He has jumped into several different class times, making friends in both the morning and evening crews! Over the last few months, Derek has made some incredible transformations. He’s truly focused on his training and nutrition and it’s showing with amazing results! Not only is Derek consistent and dedicated in the gym, he’s also a regular at our social events outside of the gym! He exemplifies so many of the qualities we look for in an AOM and has shown some tremendous progress in his time here. Derek, the CFA Team is proud to honor you as our February Athlete of the Month and as an awesome part of this community. Thanks for your all your hard work and we look forward to seeing all you accomplish in the years to come! Congratulations!
State your Name and/or Nickname please:
Derek Peterson (Sayyed calls me skinny Derek now)
Derek Peterson (Sayyed calls me skinny Derek now)
Words to live by?
I can’t control the outcome but I can always control the effort.
I can’t control the outcome but I can always control the effort.
What is your fitness background?
All over the map. I was 100lbs over weight, lost it and then was a personal trainer for almost 5 years. I was an athlete growing up though and have always found my way back to the gym no matter how bad things have gotten.
All over the map. I was 100lbs over weight, lost it and then was a personal trainer for almost 5 years. I was an athlete growing up though and have always found my way back to the gym no matter how bad things have gotten.
How long have you been CrossFitting?
I signed up in May last year I believe so about 8 months. I did some olympic lifting before that for a little over a year.
I signed up in May last year I believe so about 8 months. I did some olympic lifting before that for a little over a year.
Take us back to your first day of CrossFit… How did you feel?
How do you compare it to workouts today? It was life changing, it was the beginning of finding a new passion for sport again. Having grown up wrestling and playing football, I grew accustom to workouts that were so hard you felt like dying. That pretty much describes my first CrossFit workout, it is also why I kept coming back. I have learned throughout my life that, more often then not, if its easy it’s not worth doing.
How do you compare it to workouts today? It was life changing, it was the beginning of finding a new passion for sport again. Having grown up wrestling and playing football, I grew accustom to workouts that were so hard you felt like dying. That pretty much describes my first CrossFit workout, it is also why I kept coming back. I have learned throughout my life that, more often then not, if its easy it’s not worth doing.
What’s your favorite part of CrossFit Austin?
Nate, David, Tim, Sayyed, Ivan, Jose, Zack, Page, Julia, Brenda, Alyson, Aaron, Erin, T, Rachel, Genevieve, Hannah, Mark, Stephen, Paul and well you get it, the community is amazing! I love working my ass off with this crew. My entire life changed when I started CrossFit and so many of these people have walked through a really tough season of life with me. I’m so thankful for that.
Nate, David, Tim, Sayyed, Ivan, Jose, Zack, Page, Julia, Brenda, Alyson, Aaron, Erin, T, Rachel, Genevieve, Hannah, Mark, Stephen, Paul and well you get it, the community is amazing! I love working my ass off with this crew. My entire life changed when I started CrossFit and so many of these people have walked through a really tough season of life with me. I’m so thankful for that.
Current Training Goals/PRs?
Right now, I have lost about 50lbs and almost 9% body fat. I have about 20lbs and 5% body fat to go. My long term goal is that I’m going to start working toward competing in an open in the next 2 or 3 years.
Right now, I have lost about 50lbs and almost 9% body fat. I have about 20lbs and 5% body fat to go. My long term goal is that I’m going to start working toward competing in an open in the next 2 or 3 years.
What advice do you have for folks just starting out in CrossFit?
Connect with the crew and learn the form. Spend time in the lifting classes, spend time working on the things your not good at after class. Ask for help. The more you put into it the more you’ll get out of it.
Connect with the crew and learn the form. Spend time in the lifting classes, spend time working on the things your not good at after class. Ask for help. The more you put into it the more you’ll get out of it.
What is your cheat meal go to?
Right now, chips….. stupid right? I wish it was something more awesome but I’m not really cheating until I look like Chris Hemsworth.
Right now, chips….. stupid right? I wish it was something more awesome but I’m not really cheating until I look like Chris Hemsworth.
How do you use your fitness outside of the gym?
CrossFit is hard. It’s a regular reminder that I’m capable doing hard shit. When I feel down with work or relationships I have my workouts in the back of my head. I lean on my successes in the gym when I need to and when I can’t I remind myself that I can’t control the outcome but I can always control the effort.
CrossFit is hard. It’s a regular reminder that I’m capable doing hard shit. When I feel down with work or relationships I have my workouts in the back of my head. I lean on my successes in the gym when I need to and when I can’t I remind myself that I can’t control the outcome but I can always control the effort.
Tell us about a moment you felt most proud of yourself during a workout.
In September I did my first dead weight pull up, it changed everything!
In September I did my first dead weight pull up, it changed everything!
If you could create a WOD and name it for yourself, what would it be?
I do this all the time. I have two kids so my schedule often times doesn’t allow me to make a class. When I work out in my drive way. I call it DP’s GOT THAT CRAZY SHIT (this is a Dead Presidents reference for all that don’t know). It’s 10 rounds for time: 15 pushups, 15 sit ups, 15 air squats, 150 meter run. (Cash out is 100 Double Unders) What keeps you going on the days you don’t feel like it? Memes of Chris Hemsworth
I do this all the time. I have two kids so my schedule often times doesn’t allow me to make a class. When I work out in my drive way. I call it DP’s GOT THAT CRAZY SHIT (this is a Dead Presidents reference for all that don’t know). It’s 10 rounds for time: 15 pushups, 15 sit ups, 15 air squats, 150 meter run. (Cash out is 100 Double Unders) What keeps you going on the days you don’t feel like it? Memes of Chris Hemsworth
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit?
My kids, my work and….. memes of Chris Hemsworth
My kids, my work and….. memes of Chris Hemsworth
Tell us something we don’t know about you…
One time I accidentally called Justin Timberlake’s cell phone while trying to get a hold of Simon Cowell (this really happened)
One time I accidentally called Justin Timberlake’s cell phone while trying to get a hold of Simon Cowell (this really happened)
Leave the fine folks of CrossFit Austin with some parting words…
Lean in, get vulnerable, share your story, compete with the crew, connect with the crew, show up to events, don’t cheat (T……), get better every workout, tell David he’s a jerk (he’s not but tell him anyway), give Nate a hug and always remember, Sayyed’s not always angry…. he just looks that way.
Lean in, get vulnerable, share your story, compete with the crew, connect with the crew, show up to events, don’t cheat (T……), get better every workout, tell David he’s a jerk (he’s not but tell him anyway), give Nate a hug and always remember, Sayyed’s not always angry…. he just looks that way.