Athlete Spotlight: Bill Bozeman

Name: Bill BozemanBill_Bozeman
Age: 43
Occupation: Senior Workforce Management Consultant at Kronos
Which class time do you usually attend? 4 p.m.
Favorite WOD: Any Team WOD. Also the WOD’s we do in honor of our hero’s like Murph and the 9/11 WOD.
Favorite Lift: Clean and Jerk
Deadlift Max: 255
Back squat Max: 185
Fran: N/A
Cindy: N/A
Got Muscle-ups? Not yet
1 mile run: 7:25

How long have you been CrossFitting?  Since March 2013

What keeps you coming back/motivated?
“Three things: Teammates, coaches and the changes I am seeing to my body and mind. But most of all, it has to be my fellow athletes and coaches. We just have fun out there everyday. We laugh (most of the time), we cheer each other on. We get competitive with each other, but in a fun way. And the encouragement I get, even from people I don’t know, is just amazing. I used to be embarrassed going to a gym because I couldn’t lift near what others did and I didn’t really know what I was doing. Here, the biggest and strongest guys are often times the most supportive and encouraging.”

How did you find CrossFit?
“I worked with a coach, Jeff Kingery, and he along with my other co-workers recommended to me I go. And then my good friend and neighbor Lennette O’Hern talked me into going to a class with her. Hooked after that first day.”

What is your athletic background (If applicable)?
“Never played organized sports, just football and soccer with friends.”

How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
“My level of fitness is totally different from what I was before CrossFit.  I’m so much stronger and I think that is what I notice the most. I’ve never been strong and I still have so much more I want to do, but seeing myself with 140 pounds over my head is just amazing to me when I think back six months ago.”

What is the one thing you have done here that you never thought you could do? (muscle up, double unders, heavy deadlift, run a mile, etc.)
“This could be a long list as some of the more technical movements I’m surprised that I am doing. I remember when I was in basics and watching a class doing power and squat snatches. I wasn’t sure I could ever do those.”

What motivates/inspires you?
“Easily it’s my teammates and friends and the coaches. But especially my little Power Ranger group of Lennette, Nicole, and Michelle.”

What is your proudest CrossFit achievement?
“There are two that I think I am most proud of, but for different reasons.  First is only about a month into CrossFit and we had a WOD with a small run at the end. It was raining outside and my shoes were just not good for the rain. Took one of the turns and my feet just went right out from under me.  I smacked my head on the ground and had to get six stitches above my eye.  That’s not the proud moment by the way. 🙂  The part where I was proud and knew I was in this for the long term was that I was back at the WOD the next day, even with a bit of a headache. We had wall balls that day and I remember not fully catching one once and it smacked me right in my stitches.  Hurt like hell. But I picked the ball back up and started throwing again.
Second is when I was able to do Rx with a weighted movement the first time.  It was more recent and I’m not Rx’ing much still, but when I sucked it up and did it that first time, it felt really good.”

Name one goal/personal achievement you would like to achieve through CrossFit?
“I mainly want to get stronger and be a positive influence on my family and my three boys.”

What goals have you achieved in CrossFit?
“Getting in much better shape of course, but the biggest goal is around not quitting when it is tough and pushing myself (along with others pushing me) to step into the box everyday with a smile on my face ready to take on the next challenge.”

Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit?
“Primarily with my family and friends. That would include music and movies, fantasy football with friends, soccer and Legos with my kids, and video games. I am a guy and we do love our video games.”

What is your favorite meal?
“Pizza and wings, of course. As for a healthy meal, it would have to be the almond crusted chicken from Fresh Foods with a side sweet potato and green beans.”

Any advice for new members?
“Just stick with it!! If you are like me and not that fit when you walk in, it will hurt and you will be tired, but keep coming. Talk with the other members as they are the nicest group of people you will meet. Try and go to a regular time if you can, and you will quickly fit in with the group and want to be there everyday. Also, check your ego. There are some WOD’s where I do really well and can have great times or reps. There are other times I hit a wall and am like five minutes behind everyone else. You will experience both and learning to love those strong days, but not beat myself up on the hard days is something I really had to learn.”

Coach Laura Moore’s comment:
“Bill is such a positive and coachable athlete. His willingness to get better is evident in his work ethic, his good-natured attitude and how well he takes coaching. I’ve seen Bill improve so much since the time he started with us because he really listens and works hard every day. Bill will only continue to get better because of these qualities! Not only that, he encourages others around him and really helps motivate others in class!”

2 thoughts on “Athlete Spotlight: Bill Bozeman”

  1. So proud of Bill! He works so hard, and always with a smile on his face, even when us girls give him a hard time.