Wednesday, August 4, 2010

21 Comments

  1. Hugus | August 3, 2010 at 9:50 pm
     

    365 days ago, on my 29th birthday, I started my journey down the CrossFit path. After years of pressuring from Jen to start training with John, I was delivered an ultimatum when MPH opened. “I’m buying you a membership anyway so you might as well go.” And that started it all…

    I had my assessment on the early evening of August 4th, 2009. It was a simple workout; run a 200m, 20 air squats, 20 pushups, 20 sit-ups, run 200m. Seems simple right? 7:42m into the work out, John looks at me and plainly states ‘I’m going to stop you there.” There? There was only 8 pushups in. Man was I out of shape. At 280lbs (Sorry Joe Pap, I think I edged you out by 5lbs), it was the heaviest I have ever been and probably the most depressed I have felt about myself.

    For a man of many words, I rarely post anything longer than a sentence or two (unless it relates to beef or drinking). However, CrossFit is something that I have become passionate about. Not only because of the results that I have seen, but the friendships I have developed and the understanding what I (and others) are capable of.

    Today, at 30 (yikes, ok, that feels weird to say), I am a better man. I am happier and more relaxed at work (hard to let a client get to you when you know you just pulled 400lbs+ from the floor), better at all outside athletic events (couldn’t wakeboard last year, this year I can’t stop), and I’m just going to assume a better husband (feel free to chime in Jen…any second now, any…. sec…ond…).

    In the end I thank the coaches for pushing me past my preconceived notions of my own abilities, all of you for the ongoing and constant support, and my wife for forcing me to challenge myself, in and out of the gym.

    Can’t wait to see what the next year has in store!

    Hugus

    Reply
    • Rob | August 4, 2010 at 11:23 am
       

      Hugus – happy birthday, and happy MPH anniversary!

      Reply
    • TinkWants2GetStronger | August 4, 2010 at 12:41 pm
       

      from Sean to Tank to Hugues – I think we’re going the wrong direction here – then again a Gym Deadlift PR…I dunno – excellent post..and a most happy birthday!

      Reply
  2. christyphillips | August 3, 2010 at 10:19 pm
     

    Happy Birthday!! Its been great becoming friends with you and Jen. Looking forward to many many more days at MPH and nights at Patty Boom Boom together.

    Reply
  3. joepap | August 3, 2010 at 11:10 pm
     

    Awesome Hugus, congrats on the journey you’ve taken!

    Reply
  4. jeremynurse | August 4, 2010 at 1:36 am
     

    Dear Hugus, I can’t say say how awesome it has been to watch your transformation over the last year. Congratulations on your accomplishments, and best of luck keeping it rolling!

    -Jeremy

    Reply
  5. train2live | August 4, 2010 at 5:34 am
     

    Sean,

    First, Happy Birthday! I wish you many more, my friend.

    What a year it has been for you and what a transformation! I have often been inspired by the effort you put in at the gym. It has been even more inspiring to witness the transformation. Watching you yesterday was no exception as you plowed through the pull ups to complete the WOD in under 12 minutes. I remember when you could barely pull yourself up on that bar.

    I consider myself honored to train next to you and I wish you continued success in the gym. Have a great day, brother!

    Dave O

    Reply
  6. ChuderFace | August 4, 2010 at 9:31 am
     

    Hugus:

    Bravo on your progress since 29 and having a great attitude at 30. It’s always a pleasure to work out with you and listen to your lifting tips.

    I look forward to your admittance into the deadlift 5 hun-do club. Let’s see if you can get there before I hit 400 🙂

    Cheers,

    A

    Reply
    • ChuderFace | August 4, 2010 at 9:41 am
       

      Oh, I almost forgot: Happy Birthday!

      Reply
  7. coach | August 4, 2010 at 9:57 am
     

    –Scores–
    Borja G.: 285-295x-x-x-x-lbs., 18, 32
    Alex M.: 235-245-255-260x-x-lbs., 23, 13
    Derek B.: 195-210-220-225x-x-lbs., 4, 27
    Erez Y.: 210-220-230-235x-x-lbs., 30, 38
    Tamra F.: 175-185-195-x-x-lbs., 4, 16
    Kris C.: 135-145-155x-150-x-lbs., 13, 23
    Katie M.: 95-105-105-105-105-lbs., 9, 43 (sub: jump-stretch strict pull-up, red, pushup)
    Keena S.: 105-115-120-125x-xlbs., 6, 29 (sub: jump-stretch strict pull-up, red, pushup)
    Jessy C.: 105-115-120x-x-x-lbs., 20, 27 (sub: jump-stretch strict pull-up, red, pushup)
    Josh O.: 315-335-360-375x-x-lbs., 11, 44
    Neil A.: 265-275x-x-x-x-lbs., 20, 42
    Charles H.: 275-285-290x-x-x-lbs., 26, 38
    Sean M.: 14, 22
    David O.: 235-255x-245x-x-x-lbs., 25, 30
    Rob K.: 225-235x-x-x-x-lbs., 34, 46
    Sidra C.: 165-185-185-190-x-lbs., 9, 24
    Caitlin F.: 145-155-160-165-x-lbs., 4, 25 (15-lbs.)
    Brian T.: 135-145-155-155-x-lbs., 26, 35
    Michael S.: 45-45-45-45-45-lbs., 14, 25 (sub: jump-stretch strict pull-up, blue, pushup)
    Holmes H.: 115-115-115-115-115-lbs., 12, 25 (sub: jump-stretch strict pull-up, red)
    Amy D.: 85-85-85-85-85-lbs., 11, 12
    Luke D.: 135-135-135-140-145-lbs., 22, 19
    Jeremy N.: 305-320-335x-325x-x-lbs., 11, 39
    Sakar P.: 275-295-315-x-x-lbs., 12, 34 (25-lbs.)
    Jeff W.: 225-235-245x-245-x-lbs., 22, 30
    Guy F.: 195-215-235-235x-x-lbs., 7, 30
    Roselena R.: 155-155-165-175-175-lbs., 22 (no strict pull-up)
    Jessica H.: 125-130-135-140-x-lbs., 26, 25
    Jonathan H.: 155-155-165x-165-x-lbs., 25, 30
    Ivy F.: 155-155-165-165-165-lbs., 9, 44 (sub: jump-stretch strict pull-up, red, pushup)
    John G.: 155-175-175-155-155-lbs., 10, 13
    Jen M.: 125-125-130-135x-135x-lbs., 7, 17
    Joe P.: 295-315x-305-315-315x-lbs., 19, 42
    Joseph P.: 225-245-255-265-265-lbs., 32, 29 (sub: strict bodyrow)
    Josh M.: 145-155-165-165-165-lbs., 33, 36
    Dave R.: 295-315-325-330x-x-lbs., 33, 41
    Tod C.: 265-265-285-285-295-lbs., 9, 16
    Joe F.: 185-205-205-210-x-lbs., 36, 53
    Adam C.: 205-215-220-225-230x-lbs., 28, 41
    Andrew R.: 165-175-185-205-205-lbs., 29, 47
    Anna H.: 75-75-75-75-75-lbs., 15, 10 (bodyweight; sub: partner-assisted pull-up)
    Chuck D.: 95-95-95-95-95-lbs., 15, 42 (bodyweight; sub: partner-assisted pull-up)
    JC L.: 45-45-45-45-45-lbs., 15, 50 (bodyweight; sub: partner-assisted pull-up)
    Christy P.: 205-215-225-230-x-lbs., 26, 34
    Chad F.: 155-165-170-180-190-lbs., 12, 25
    Susanna B.: 185-195-200-205-210-lbs., 32, 18 (sub: strict bodyrow)
    Sean F.: 155-160-165-170-170-lbs., 16, 24
    Koji H.: 135-155-155x-145x-x-lbs., 27, 45 (bodyweight)
    Lee P.: 195-215-230-235-245x-lbs., 6, 25
    Antonio G.: 225-245-245-250-255-lbs., 30, 41
    Meghan M.: 225-235-240-245-x-lbs., 12, 40
    Ricky B.: 185-195-195-195-x-lbs., 17, 30
    David S.: 175-195-205-210-x-lbs., 23, 36
    John B.: 175-185-205-205-210-lbs., 27, 33
    Stuart W.: 165-175-185-185-x-lbs., 24, 46
    Jerry C.: 170-190-210-x-x-lbs., 18, 29 (25-lbs.; sub: partner-assisted pull-up)
    Leigh T.: 45-45-45-45-45-lbs., 6, 44
    Leota B.: 105-115-125-130-x-lbs., 36, 18 (sub: partner-assisted pull-up)
    Mayra C.: 125-130-135-140x-x-lbs., 24, 39 (15-lbs.; sub: partner-assisted pull-up)
    Jennifer M.: 45-45-45-45-45-lbs., 20, 37 (sub: partner-assisted pull-up, knee pushup)
    April H.: 75-85-90-90-x-lbs., 22, 24 (bodyweight; sub: partner-assisted pull-up)

    Reply
  8. CookingandLifting | August 4, 2010 at 9:57 am
     

    Happy Birthday, Sean. It’s been great watching you progress so quickly and I always enjoy seeing you before my 8am whupping!

    Reply
  9. Mrs. F | August 4, 2010 at 10:14 am
     

    Happy Birthday Sean! You are a huge part of the HEART of MPH. Have a fabulous 30th.

    Happy Birthday to Steve D., too 🙂 You are also loved by us all.

    Reply
    • Mrs. F | August 4, 2010 at 10:16 am
       

      And Lisa C. ! It’s a big Birthday Day.

      Reply
  10. TinkWants2GetStronger | August 4, 2010 at 12:44 pm
     

    and, I’ve just signed up for the 28th – Total MPH Massacre…who’s with me??? 😀

    Reply
    • Erez | August 4, 2010 at 1:26 pm
       

      Huge, Lisa, and Steve, Happy Birthday. Tink, I’m in for the 28th. Girls are laaaame.

      Reply
    • joshm08 | August 4, 2010 at 1:49 pm
       

      I signed up!

      Happy Birthday Hugus!

      Reply
    • the janitor | August 4, 2010 at 4:32 pm
       

      me! and girls rule!

      happy birthday to everyone 🙂

      Reply
    • Jen M. | August 4, 2010 at 4:58 pm
       

      sadly the McCue contingent will have to miss this due to BIRTHDAYS IN VEGAS!!! (can you tell I’m excited? :)) but clearly the girls will crush you boys…

      Reply
  11. joshm08 | August 4, 2010 at 1:49 pm
     

    and to lisa and steve!

    Reply
  12. jessykate | August 4, 2010 at 2:34 pm
     

    happy birthday sean! congrats on the ever-increasing buffness, and here’s hoping you backsquat the moon today!

    Reply
  13. Special K | August 4, 2010 at 7:13 pm
     

    Happy Birthday, everyone! Hugus, Jen- Patty Boom Boom: when’s our next trip?

    Reply

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *