Name: James Hunt
Age: 44
Occupation: Director of Sales
Hometown: Suwanee
Which class time do you usually attend?: 12:30
Favorite WOD: Anything with rope climb and run
Favorite CF Movement: Rope climb
Least Favorite CF Movement: Power snatch
1RM Deadlift: 295
Favorite Food: Sauerbraten
Favorite Movie: What day is it?
Favorite Athlete: Kobe Bryant
Dream Job: Head of Disney Imagineering
Dream Vacation Destination: All 12 Disney parks around the world on a single round-the-world vacation
If you could have any superpower, it would be: flight
Favorite Motivational Quote: “Never never never quit.” – Churchill
How long have you been doing CrossFit?: 13 months
How did you first discover CrossFit and what made you decide to start?: Drive by an old building and not enough self-motivation
Tell us about your fitness/sports background: Played football in high school, started my career had kids got fat then saw a picture of me and my 9-month pregnant wife and our bellies were the same size. I started to run and kept up with running, races culminating in my first half marathon on my 40th birthday at, you guessed it, Disneyland Paris. Maintained running and self-competed sprint triathlons at L.A. fitness but didn’t ever get really fit. The people at this gym have motivated me, pushed me and I really enjoy finding new strength I didn’t know I ever would and building friendships and a great support network.
What sorts of positive changes (mental, physical, emotional) have you noticed in your life since getting involved at No Excuses?: I can feel a drastic difference in muscle tone, I’m happier, more motivated to get better, and most days when I can’t make class, I do some similar activity on my own to the best of my ability so as to not get too far behind my fitness goals. Also, I’ve made friends and have a new barber. Also, I made Brandon my self-proclaimed accountability partner. I might text him more than his wife.
Who or what keeps you coming back and motivated?: The people, the coaches, the community, and the continued results
In what other ways do you use your fitness?: Carrying groceries is easier.
Please share with us a favorite CrossFit or No Excuses moment.: Just last week as we were doing the WOD, I was struggling with overhead squats. Mike and Jeff watched my form and kept helping me work on technique. After a few tries, they got me a new bar and dressed out for me so I could get the right technique. They wanted me to do it right regardless of how little weight there was on the bar. I said they needed to change the name of the gym to “No Judgments”
Name one goal you would like to achieve in the next year (doesn’t have to be CrossFit related, but it can be): I want to squat 200#, do a set of pull-ups without a band, and make it to 200 classes
Tell us about your hobbies and interests outside of the gym: I am a certified Disney vacation planner and I host 2 podcasts. One is a comparison of Disneyland vs Walt Disney World to decide which is better. And the other is about those terrible straight-to-video Disney sequels.
What advice do you have for someone just starting CrossFit or is on the fence about starting?: You are your own worst critic. Go at your own pace. Focus on technique and do it right rather than do it heavily. It’s an excellent, supportive community. Stick with it. While it doesn’t tend to get easier, it gets better. And, Brandon’s number is….
What do you love most about No Excuses?: The people and the coaches