Spotlight Athlete- Ahmed Abouelenein
When someone enters the doors for the first time at CrossFit Zachary, our staff never knows what to expect. We welcome everyone and are ready to do our part to make their life better from the second we see them. We always chat about goals and encourage our clients to be as transparent as possible with us. There’s something that happens between a coach and a client that can rarely be found anywhere else. When Ahmed walked through our doors that bond was immediate. He was ready to learn, to change, to be challenged and to grow. He shared some of his goals with our coaching staff but little did we know how much was going on till he shared his experience in his own words. If you think you have too much “baggage” to workout, read Ahmed’s story below and you’ll quickly see why the spotlight is on him right now.
1. What brought you to CrossFit Zachary in the first place?
I initially joined CFZ to get in better physical shape. I grew up sailing and playing soccer pretty much daily and never had to go to a gym but it was time; I moved to Louisiana 3 yrs. prior and needed to shed some of the delicious gumbo and etouffee I consumed. In addition, it was to fill my free time with some healthy habits. However, I quickly felt the positive impact CrossFit had on my mental health. I struggled with clinical depression for about 2.5 yrs. following my move to LA and CFZ worked some magic. I felt better every day and can positively now claim full recovery with zero meds throughout the whole journey.
2. What was your first impression? How has that changed?
First it was intimidation (I can’t do 40 wall balls and run a mile you kidding me?) but that quickly faded after the first class and was replaced with a feeling of determination and belonging. All coaches were not only interested in me getting the movements right but rather getting my mental game right by challenging myself and staying consistent. Now CFZ is where I find my Zen! My very first WOD (workout of the day) was on a Saturday and I partnered with Chad and Donnie; they didn’t stop cheering for me and checking on me the whole hour! And man ringing that bell was joyful! [Every newbie rings the bell after their first workout] Nowhere else can you gather with folks from your community united on one goal…To challenge yourself for an hour and push hard to be better. Nowhere else will you find yourself trailing behind with 15 burpees left to finish and folks, you only meet at the box, gathered around you clapping, cheering and telling you “you can do it” “ push hard” and “ get it Team”; moments like this make me know that our world is full of amazing people. It’s a great manifestation of “community.”
3. What was your first “bright spot, (PR)?
335lb deadlift, 135lb power snatch – my first time ever introduced to a barbell was about year ago – I never lifted weights ever before this point and the thought of hurting my back by making a wrong move was daunting! But the coaches helped me out with that a ton! Pullups are gravy now. Wow, who would have thunk it!! I never thought I would look forward to a pullup WOD. I’ve been cashing out with a mile daily after each WOD – if you’d seen my face after a 200m jog last year you would know how BIG this is!
4. What are you working on now?
Finding my rest to workout balance. Making muscle ups and weighted pullups happen in the near future!
5. What’s your favorite CrossFit Zachary memory?
Literally at the end of any cardio heavy WOD – looking around and seeing all 10-12 of us on our backs catching a breather! That feeling of us conquering together is quite memorable to me!
Take some time to work on you! Let our community become your community. Shoot us an email and let’s get started!
Sales@crossfitzachary.com