Saturday, January 29, 2011

Welcome to CrossFit Construct

My CrossFit journey began in December of 2009. I had a friend in from out of town and we were eating breakfast at a restaurant on Clybourn Avenue. During our conversation my friend looked across the street and noticed a sign that said “CrossFit Chicago,” and he would then spend the next fifteen minutes informing me about what CrossFit was and how I would like it. On the way out the door I wrote the number down and called within the next few days to set up an introductory session for a weekday afternoon. As I walked up the stairs to the original CrossFit Chicago I began to wonder if my friend was a little crazy. The gym was small and had no equipment, no mirrors, no showers or steam rooms, no televisions, and no front desk. Instead Rudy met me when I walked in and led me through a short workout and informed me what CrossFit was all about. I dropped in for a class that week and was immediately hooked. I actually wanted to sign up immediately, but Rudy told me to wait it out until I was sure this was something I wanted to do. In January of 2009 I joined CrossFit Chicago and my life since then has changed dramatically. 

From the time I had joined CrossFit Chicago I had pipe dreams of some day owning my own gym. In the past, I had coached high school sports and after a few years away from it, the itch to coach grew rapidly. I eventually became Level 1 Certified and Rudy allowed me to coach at Crossfit Chicago. I immediately fell in love with it. Then, in October of 2010, Rudy presented me with the opportunity to purchase CrossFit West Loop and I jumped at the chance. With help from a few of those same friends that introduced me to CrossFit originally, I ended up where I am today. My fitness goals are very much the same as two years ago but my professional goals have changed drastically. I want to help build a great community of individuals who strive to constantly better themselves through hard work and through helping each other.

I want to thank everyone who has helped me accomplished both my fitness and business goals and I’m excited to finally introduce CrossFit Construct!

15 comments:

  1. Congratulations on the re-opening tonight, I know the box is on track to bigger & better things. Wish I could be there...I'll take a size Medium T-shirt when they're ready, please and thank you...

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  2. Congrats Derek! Should be a great time today.

    Dayo - The T shirts actually run pretty small, I tried one on the other day. A medium would probably be a muscle shirt on you.

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  3. congrats derek on this major accomplishment. enjoy today everyone. looking forward to boozin' with y'all tonite!

    @ dayo, i second what drywall said...sizes run a wee-bit tiny, though.

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  4. Congrats Derek, pumped to come down today for the opening and workout--should be a great time.

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  5. Congratulations Derek!! Thank you for all of the hard work you put into Crossfit Construct, it definitely shows. Today will be awesome!

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  6. Congrats Derek!! You are a great coach and it is awesome that your pipe dream is now a reality!

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  7. Thanks so much for everything, Derek! All your hard work and selflessness has paid off. You've really created a true community around yourself.

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  8. Congrats and thanks Derek. Although we're pretty new to this community, I'm glad to be part of such a friendly and supportive group. It was nice seeing everyone there today and nice meeting everyone who came over from LP. Hope to see everyone at Mahoney's for the afterparty.

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  9. Congrats Derek, awesome stuff. Look forward to many more days filled with dog hairs and dust!

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  10. john G destroyed us this AM.

    3 rounds with 2 min rest between each round of:

    10 min AMRAP

    10 pull ups
    20 cal row
    30 renegade rows (20# dumbells)
    20 deadlift burpees (135#)
    10 sit-ups

    total rds: 3 + 24 renegade rows. i think all the booze from last nite has left my system.

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  11. I was wondering why the West Loop blog wasn't updated. Obviously I see why now. Nice work Derek. You have something very special here and I thank you for letting me be a part of it.

    This is one of the greatest things I have come across in a long time. Prior to crossfit, exercise turned into more of a chore than something I enjoyed like I used. I even questioned started to question the importance of fitness in my life. Crossfit lit the fire back under my ass and I am hooked. This community is great to. I not only look forward to the WOD but the people I get to work out with. All right that’s sappy enough for one day.

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  12. Wow, congrats Derek! You're a wonderful coach, and I'm so happy for you. :)

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  13. Don't laugh, but I read this post from time to time - it's really a great story and is guaranteed to bring a big smile - hope to see you @ regionals? :)

    T

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