Athlete Spotlight: Drew Brannon

Name:Drew Brannon

Age:31

Occupation:Senior Financial Analyst

Hometown:Rockmart, GA

Which class time do you usually attend?6 AM

Favorite WOD:Rowing, Deadlift Combo WODS

Favorite CF Movement:Hang Clean

Least Favorite CF Movement: Thrusters

3RM Back Squat:385

1RM Deadlift:525

Favorite Food:Ribeye Steak

Favorite Movie: The Godfather: Part II

Favorite Athlete:Joe Thomas

Dream Job:CEO of a Fortune 500 Company

Dream Vacation Destination:Ireland

If you could have any super power…Teleportation

Favorite Motivational Quote:“But my glory, it doesn’t happen in front of a crowd. It doesn’t happen in a stadium or on a stage. There are no medals handed out. It happens in the darkness of the early morning. In solitude. Where I try. And I try. And I try again, with everything I have, to be the best that I can possibly be.” – Jocko Willink

How long have you been doing CrossFit?April 2017

How did you first discover CrossFit and what made you decide to start?

I moved to Suwanee from Atlanta, and I was looking for a place that liked to lift weights. A quick google search later, I found No Excuses and haven’t looked back since.

Tell us about your fitness/sports background:

I have been playing sports from a young age. I played, Football, Basketball, Tennis, and Golf in high school, and played Football in college.

What sorts of positive changes (mental, physical, emotional) have you noticed in your life since getting involved at No Excuses?

The most noticeable change is that I have lost 45 pounds since starting, but the biggest impact to me is being able to do things now that once seemed impossible. I never thought I could lose 45 pounds, or that I would run a sub 8-minute mile again or be able to string pullups together, but they all happened.

Who or what keeps you coming back and motivated?

Seeing both my own progress and the progress of the early morning regulars keeps me coming back. Being able to train with a great group of people makes it easy to wake up in the morning. On top of that, the coaches are a cut above, both in knowledge and in being all around good people.

In what other ways do you use your fitness?

I love to hike and I’m in the best shape of my life, so I’m able to fully enjoy the outdoors now.

Please share with us a favorite CrossFit or No Excuses moment.

I don’t have one favorite that stands out in my mind, but rather a collection of moments. I have seen multiple people, including myself, that did something they once said “never” to. Each one of those reminds me that with enough time and effort, most anything is possible for us.

Name one goal you would like to achieve in the next year (doesn’t have to be CrossFit related, but it can be)

My goal is to eliminate all movements that I call “auto scale” movements. It’s the ones where when you see them posted, you know you are going to scale the WOD, no matter what. The next one to conquer for me is hand stand pushups. I’d love to never have to scale Diane again.

Tell us about your hobbies and interests outside of the gym:

When I’m outside, I love to hike and play golf. I’m also an avid reader, fiction and non-fiction.

What advice do you have for someone just starting CrossFit or is on the fence about starting?

I would say be prepared to be humbled, in a good way. If you can check your ego at the door and stay consistent, you can make yourself stronger and faster, and be something you never thought possible.

What do you love most about No Excuses?

I love the atmosphere and the people. Where else would you be able to find a gym full of people willing to suffer along with you?

Coach Chris’s Take: “Drew is an extremely hard working, but he also understands that that can only get him so far.  He is very thoughtful in his approach, whether it’s scaling down or up to deliver the desired intent of the workout or by setting smaller, shorter timed goals to get to the bigger ones.  He understands there is a process and never veers.  So, in short he is one of the most diligent and consistent people in the gym.”