Athlete Spotlight: Greg Hayes

Greg_HayesName: Greg Hayes
Age: 50
Occupation: CPA
Which class time do you usually attend? Evenings
Favorite WOD: Nate
Favorite Lift: Snatch
Deadlift max: n/a
Back squat max: 265
Fran: 4:52
Cindy: 16-plus round
Got Muscle-ups? Yep
1 mile run: 7:35
How long have you been CrossFitting? 4 years

How did you find CrossFit?
“My younger brother owns BTB CrossFit in Atlanta and pestered me for a couple of years before I finally gave in and tried it. One of the best things I ever did.”

How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
“CrossFit has completely changed how I view fitness and diet. I spent years on and off in Globo Gyms going through the motions like everyone else, with no real direction, goals or benchmarks. The CrossFit approach to total fitness, in a measurable manner, is nothing I would have ever seen in a Globo Gym. I guess as a CPA I am number obsessed, but the ability to track your progress over time is great. I am without a doubt in the best shape I have ever been.

What is the one thing you have done here that you never thought you could do?
“While I am still not lifting truly heavy weights, I would never thought I could lift as much as I currently do on the Olympic lifts.”

What motivates/inspires you?
“I think one of the secret ingredients at No Excuses is the friendly competition within the members on each day’s workout. So you are competing with yourself and with others in your class or earlier classes. You put that result on the whiteboard and you would much rather it be a result that beats your buddies. Trust me, my Master’s group friends and I know exactly what the others results are.”

What is your proudest CrossFi achievement?
“My proudest achievement is just consistently sticking with it and getting to the gym several times a week. There are many days when it would just be easier to go home after work, or days when you know you are going to suck at that particular WOD, but I think that is when you really make your breakthrough is when you get through WOD’s like that. And pretty soon, those movements that you hated or were not very proficient at might become one of your favorites. Hand stand push-ups were like that for me.

Name one goal/personal achievement you would like to achieve through CrossFit?
“I would like to post better results in the CrossFit Open this year. My goal is a top 100 finish (worldwide) in my age group.

Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit?
“My work and family consume just about every minute of my non-CrossFit time!”

Any advice for new members?
“I would tell the new members to get involved in the No Excuses community! It really is special. Ben and the other coaches have created a really great environment that is encouraging to everyone. Participate in the CrossFit Open or another competition, join the Paleo Challenge! Other members have experienced the same issues when they were new and are great about providing advice or insight.”

Any additional comments?
“I can honestly say that CrossFit has changed my life. The process will of course make you more fit. But it also creates a mental attitude of ‘overcome’ and ‘don’t quit’ that absolutely carries over to other parts of your life. It encourages you to focus on nutrition and diet to assist in achieving your goals. I see the results of poor lifestyle choices in folks my age, and I resolve to not do that. CrossFit helps me to be a better dad, husband and person!”

Coach Ben’s comment:
“Greg has defied what some scientists have said was impossible at his age. His strength and strength endurance have surpassed what most 20 years olds are able to put out and his neurological skills such as coordination are continually improving. I have had the pleasure of coaching Greg for around four years now and his ability to improve his fitness has been undoubtedly contributed to his work ethic! For those out there that want the “Key” ingredient to his kind of success, “The recipe” for reaching your full potential…….get this……are you ready…….WORK……and WORK consistently, week in and week out! It takes time, sweat, heartache, failure, sacrifice, suffering, mistakes, celebrations, focus, hard work, integrity, patience, and tons of love to improve like Greg Hayes has in his fitness over these four years. Does that sound attractive!? That’s the point. Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do, and sometimes that means sacrificing and suffering.”