September Athlete of the Month || Billy O’Marra!!
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 August Athlete of the Month goes to the one and only Mr. Billy O’Marra! Billy joined the CFA family on December 16th with a hunger for growth and knowledge. Billy continues to surprise us with his dedication, discipline, and great attitude toward fitness. When the man has a goal, there is nothing that will stop him which is just one of the many things we admire about him #GOALS!
Not only does he put in the hard work, but he also listens to his body and makes the right decisions, constantly reinventing himself and adjusting his goals for a better road to success.
Billy, we love that you chose us to help you on your journey to success and can’t wait to see your continuation to success in your fitness journey
State your Name and/or Nickname please:
William O’Marra, Billy, aka Goat (the farm animal, not the acronym)
Words to live by?
Be tolerant with others, and strict with yourself.
What is your fitness background?
Growing up, I played sports like lacrosse, basketball, and football. My best sport was probably Ultimate. I had
more trophies for math than sports. As an adult, I got into yoga, calisthenics, boxing, and now CrossFit.
How long have you been CrossFitting?
January 2023, the journey officially began.
Take us back to your first day of CrossFit… How did you feel? How do you compare it to workouts
today?
My first day doing CrossFit was my first Fundy Day w/Coach Alien who shadowed me during a class. There
were burpees and pull ups, so it was in my wheelhouse, and I felt pretty good. In general, the weightlifting
aspect is all new to me, and most classes at the start were super tough. Classes are still tough, but I now have
an understanding of the fundamental weight lifting movements and it’s easier to figure out how to scale the
workouts appropriately.
What’s your favorite part of CrossFit Austin?
The community is great, and I’ve met a lot of inspiring people who’ve shown me the ropes along the way, either
through example or side chats. I really enjoy the music the coaches play, and am known to take over the playlist from time to time.
Current Training Goals/PRs?
Get stronger. I want to be able to do the Rx version of at least one OPEN workout next year, so I’m going to
spend the fall and winter focusing on building strength, spending more time on the WL side of things.
What advice do you have for folks just starting out in CrossFit?
Don’t stress, stretch
Show Up
Scale Down (as much as you need to)
Rock Out
The only stupid questions are the ones you don’t ask.
How do you balance staying focused in your training when life gets busy?
No matter how busy life gets, it only takes a few minutes to drop down and do some push-ups, squats, or
burpees. In your office, hotel room, outdoors, on a plane (easier done on big planes), wherever you’re at.
What is your cheat meal go-to?
Lately, the double stacked chicken nachos at Twin Peaks, with a couple beers to wash it down. For dessert, if Crumbl cookies are wrong, I don’t wanna be right.
How do you use your fitness outside of the gym?
Throwing my nephews around at the pool/beach. I work in video production so it helps to be able to hold a camera for a long time or carry/move heavy equipment. I enjoy helping people move, too. Moving boxes and furniture, up and down stairs, is probably my favorite workout. If you need a hand, hmu.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your fitness journey?
Mostly Injuries. I’ve got a disc in my lower back that easily slips out of place, and learning how to heal from and manage that has been a journey. Being open-minded, patient, doing research, and listening to my body.
Tell us about a moment you felt most proud of yourself during a workout.
The first time I did 300 burpees (3 sets of 100) with a 12 lb vest was pretty freakin’ cool.
If you could create a WOD and name it for yourself, what would it be?
Goat’s 300 Workout – 10 Rounds for time of:
10 burpees
5 pull ups
10 wall balls
5 pull ups
Scale Up: Add weight vest and/or do 2-pump burpees (two push ups at bottom)
What keeps you going on the days you don’t feel like it?
Just learning over time that 99% of the time when you don’t feel like it, you’ll feel better after working out. Sometimes I have to trick myself saying “Just do ten minutes.” Ten turns into 45-60 real quick once your heart
starts pumping.
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit?
I enjoy volunteering with the Travis County Juvenile Probation Dept. I teach a documentary class designed to provide education, life lessons, and combat recidivism. I’m also a huge fan of Portugal FC and the Jets.
Tell us something we don’t know about you…
I lived in NYC/Brooklyn for 15 years before moving to Austin in November 2002, but I grew up in Northern NJ ~20 miles west of downtown Manhattan, and from the top of my street you could see the Twin Towers on a clear day. My father was supposed to be at 9am meeting on the 90th floor of Tower 1 on 9/11, thankfully he was late to work that day. A miracle for man who was never late and never had a sick day in his career. Unfortunately many of his co-workers lost their lives that day, 358 of them to be exact. I saw the sky turn black that day. I am forever grateful my father survived, and every 9/11 I think about those who weren’t as lucky. RIP
Leave the fine folks of CrossFit Austin with some parting words…
Never get high on your supply.