In the pursuit of becoming the best athlete possible, I had tried it all. I spent countless hours running sprints with a parachute attached, pushing heavy sleds, and jumping rope. Monday was back and biceps, Tuesday was chest and triceps. I had my regime set for every day of the week. The plan was simple, as long as I kept the workouts consistent and intense, I would continue to get bigger, faster, and stronger. I did everything I could to be able to compete at the highest level of athletics; at least I thought I had.
I played football for Indiana University for 5 years. After my collegiate career, I was blessed with the opportunity to play professional football in the Arena Football League, and it has been a childhood dream come true. My training, so far, has gotten me to this point, but I’ve always wanted more. I’ve reached a plateau on all of my lifts, on my speed, strength, and size. I thought I had maxed out. Insert…Crossfit.
During my 3rd season of professional football, I contacted an acquaintance of mine, who I met during my undergrad at IU. I had seen pictures of her power cleaning and climbing ropes in front of a wall with graffiti script that read “Hoosier Crossfit.” Within minutes of my messages I sent her asking about Crossfit, she responded with overwhelming excitement. This girl wasn’t just into Crossfit, she was obsessed.
Months later, I moved to Bloomington and attended a “Bring a Friend WOD” at HCF. After a 12 minute “AMRAP,” I was hooked. Shortly after, I was in the gym two times a day, working on lifts I had only seen before on TV. I was no longer just running to run; I was running for a purpose. I was no longer bench pressing for 5 sets of 5 reps; I was snatching and dead lifting for max effort. I was spending the 3 minutes, post workout, laying on the ground in a pool of my own sweat, my hands were torn and bleeding, my shoulders were burning..and I loved every minute of it. I’m now faster and stronger than I have ever been. I am now on track to be that athlete I always knew I could be, and I know how I am going to get there.
I’ve been following the Hoosier Crossfit programming for 4 months now, and have no question in my mind, that this will be the best season of football I have ever played, and I’m only going to get better. I now have the right technique, the right midset, and the right training, after everything I have tried, this is it. My friends’ obsession has rubbed off on me.
I owe a ton of praise to the people who have made my training such an incredible experience. My former acquaintance is now not only my trainer, but one of my biggest supporters and motivators when it comes to Crossfit. Heather Ross has pushed me through some of the toughest workouts of my life, and she’s battled right along with me through some of them as well. With her training and support, along with Shaun, Jenna, Ib, and Kyle, I’m ready to take on another season. Crossfit hasn’t only changed my training, but it has changed my life.
Make sure to check Collin out as the Iowa Barnstormers Wide Receiver in their first game of the 2013 season in Chicago!
