Today, the MPH community says goodbye to Jim C. as he heads to London, England with his wife for work.
A natural and seasoned competitor, Jim was focused from the start. In our progress check three weeks after beginning at MPH, he told us that he “first wanted to be the best in the class, then the best in the gym, and finally to compete at CrossFit.” We hear this type of sentiment frequently, as CrossFit tends to attract competitive folk, but then we started noticing something…freaky…about his upper body strength. He quickly earned the nickname “Pull-up Jim” (or “Pushup Jim,” or “Muscle-up Jim,” depending on the day). Not many athletes can perform consecutive strict muscle-ups on their first try, but he had already accrued tremendous upper body strength from years of collegiate swimming and a general dedication to upper body calisthenics before joining MPH. In short, he broke smashed most of the upper body gymnastics records, especially in the pull-up, pushup, and muscle-up categories.
The only thing that eluded Jim from total world domination being a more well-rounded athlete was…well…everything from the hips down. Jim needed his lower body to catch up to the rest of him! We are proud to say that in the two years that he trained as an athlete at MPH, he improved significantly in all areas of fitness—especially with lower body strength and stamina.
What will make it hardest to see Jim go is not how many consecutive pull-ups he can do (so close to 40), or how fast his “Isabel” time is, or how much he and one of his best bros can clean and jerk, but instead, the friendliness and goodhearted spirit that he embodies. Jim is anyone and everyone’s friend, an absolute pleasure to have in class, and always willing to work, no matter the task at hand. The 5p class knows this best—it just won’t be the same without his presence and energy, every day (at least we can still get a piece of Jim with his clothing line).
We hope that England, especially the CrossFit gym that he joins, appreciates the caliber of athlete and person that they are getting. Of course, MPH is already planning a trip across the pond next year to visit!
—
“Top Heavy”
for time:
30-20-10
back squat @ 225/155-lbs.
dumbbell shoulder-to-overhead with 55/35-lb. dumbbells
I know the 5p class isn’t the same without him. We’ll miss you!
Hi All,
My time has finally come. I just wanted to take this opportunity to bid you a bon voyage and to say thanks again to everyone for making my time at CrossFit MPH such an incredible experience. Athletes often post about how MPH has improved their lives, and I’m certainly no exception. I could write at length about how much you all mean to me and how CrossFit has made me a better person, but in many ways, I’m afraid that I’d only be stating the obvious. Instead, I’d like to use this time/space to briefly impart a few lessons I’ve learned from being an athlete at MPH for the last two years, and to share a little advice that I probably need more than anyone else. Without further ado:
1. Smile, have fun. Working out at MPH was often the best part of my day, and if you’re not having fun, then you’re doing it wrong.
2. Listen to your coaches. Because they care deeply about you and are some of the best around. They will make you better if you let them.
3. Compete with yourself and other athletes. Improvement is measured in many different ways, but you can’t make gains if you don’t push yourself and those around you.
4. Keep things in perspective. It’s often said that CrossFit is more than a fitness program, it’s a lifestyle. I believe this is true, and I also believe that the CrossFit lifestyle can consume you if you let it. Strive to strike a healthy balance in all things, and remember that CrossFit is something you do, it’s not who you are.
5. Listen to your body. Know your limits and the difference between a “healthy” pain and injury. If aren’t sure about something, talk to your coaches. Scale or substitute exercises if you need to. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Trust me on this one.
6. Be humble, swallow your pride. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. There is always someone better and worse than you, but you should treat them all as equals.
7. Never take anything for granted. Few people have the opportunity to do what we do everyday at MPH. Be appreciative and don’t squander it.
8. Make friends at the gym. This is all but inevitable, but enjoy the company you keep and really get to know them. Lots of good friends and even some family have been made at MPH.
That’s all I’ve got (for now). Thanks EVERYONE for EVERYTHING. I will always look back fondly on my time at MPH and very much appreciate you all being there for me through all of life’s ups/downs. I will continue to follow all the goings-on at MPH online and will hopefully be back to visit from time to time. Until then, keep raising the bar.
Respectfully,
Jim C.
–Scores–
James C.: 10:41 (145-lbs., 35-lb. dbs)
Borja G.: 12:26 (185-lbs., 25-lbs.; sub: from-the-rack back squat, 2x weighted sit-up)
Jon H.: 15:20 (125-lbs., 45-lb. dbs)
Derek B.: 12:28 (175-lbs., 25-lbs.; sub: from-the-rack back squat, 2x weighted sit-up)
John Mc.: 15:00 (65-lbs., 65-lbs.; sub: front squat)
Rob K.: 14:31 (135-lbs., 45-lb. dbs)
Joe T.: 13:59 (115-lbs., 40-lb. dbs)
CJ D.: 13:22 (sub: 3x squat, 2x pushup)
Keena S.: 13:09 (100-lbs., 30-lb. dbs)
Christine S.: 13:01 (95-lbs., 30-lb. dbs)
Judy G.: 13:32 (30-lb. dbs [for whole workout)
Katie R.: 9:57 (65-lbs., 25-lb. dbs)
Melissa S.: 13:15 (65-lbs., 25-lb. dbs; sub: front squat)
Jamie T.: 11:55 (sub: 3x squat, pushup)
Dat D.: 9:38 (145-lbs., 35-lb. dbs)
Neil A.: 14:05 (155-lbs., 45-lb dbs)
Brian K.: 16:19 (95-lbs., 35-lb. dbs)
Shawn J.: 13:34 (85-lbs., 30-lb. dbs; sub: front squat)
Mayra C.: 13:25 (85-lbs., 30-lb. dbs; sub: front squat)
Julie G.: 10:53 (55-lbs., 25-lb. dbs; sub: front squat)
Kate H.: 15:20 (45-lbs., 20-lb. dbs; sub: front squat)
Sofia J.: 13:35 (85-lbs., 25-lb. dbs)
Robert W.: 12:32 (95-lbs., 30-lb. dbs; sub: front squat; 30-20)
Will L.: 10:05 (125-lbs, 40-lb. dbs)
Mark L.: 12:08 (85-lbs., 85-lbs.)
Whitney M.: 16:40 (95-lbs., 30-lb. dbs)
Rebekka E.: 15:50 (115-lbs.)
Alissa G.: 15:54 (105-lbs.)
Gaylon M.: (115-lbs, 40-lb. dbs.; sub: front squat)
Nick D.: 11:29 (115-lbs., 40-lb. dbs)
John P.: (115-lbs., 40-lb. dbs; sub: front squat)
Shawn C.: 12:35 (115-lbs., 45-lb. dbs)
Jessica M.: 8:10 (20-lb. dbs, 15-lb. dbs; sub: front squat; 20-10-10)
Adrian P.: 14:42 (125-lbs., 45-lb. dbs)
Jim C.: 12:02 (115-lbs.; sub: from-the-rack back squat,
Dave R.: 17:15 (175-lbs.)
Buffy M.: 15:23 (65-lbs., 25-lb. dbs; sub: front squat)
Marcel S.: 12:04 (135-lbs., 45-lb. dbs)
John Su.: 15:58 (30-lb. dbs, 30-lb. dbs)
Bill G.: 12:54 (175-lbs.)
Jaime A.: 16:33 (85-lbs.)
John P.: 11:53 (115-lbs., 45-lb. dbs)
Graham G.: 15:08 (115-lbs., 35-lb. dbs)
Gaylon M.: 14:26 (95-lbs., 30-lb. dbs)
Steve M.: 14:43 (135-lbs., 40-lb. dbs; sub: from-the-rack back squat)
May B.: 14:29 (115-lbs.)
Chris C.: 10:13 (45-lb. dbs; sub: weightd sls))
David S.: 12:46 (145-lbs.; 40-lb. dbs)
Joanna T.: 15:17 (75-lbs., 25-lb. dbs)
Katie K.: 14:38 (75-lbs, 25-lb. dbs)
Brian T.: 15:57 (115-lbs., 40-lb. dbs)
Michael F.: 16:28 (175-lbs.)
Melody F.: 14:21 (135-lbs.)
Jason C.: 12:05 (115-lbs., 40-lb. dbs)
Sean F.: 12:50 (135-lbs., 45-lb. dbs)
Candida M.: 11:02 (65-lbs., 25-lb. dbs)
Brett B.: 10:53 (115-lbs., 35-lb. dbs)
Ricky B.: 9:54 (35-lb. dbs; sub: goblet squat)
Randy F.: 15:25 (115-lbs., 35-lb. dbs)
Mark Co.: 14:21 (155-lbs., 45-lb. dbs)
Josh M.: 11:45 (135-lbs., 45-lb. dbs)
Seth R.: 11:46 (135-lbs., 40-lb. dbs)
Alex M.: 11:00 (165-lbs., 40-lb. dbs)
Coaches: I was at 85 lbs for the back squats.