Hey Folks!
So this months CrossFitter is someone who has been giving it their all in pretty much everything they do at the gym. He is constantly helping people tidy up, providing advice on diet, recipes and new queues on lifting technique that he’s picked up.
Constantly a great role model in the gym for the other members, as well as his young son he contributes significantly to the awesome atmosphere we have at the gym (especially during the noon class)… If you hadn’t already guessed it, this months CrossFitter of the Month is Chuck!
Here are his answers to our questions!
Name: Chuck Viau
Age: 36
Occupation: Industrial Automation Programmer/Designer
What was your exercise experience prior to crossfit?
I’ve always been interested in the strength sports like powerlifting and strongman. In my youth, I was involved in non-competitive power lifting and I played hockey throughout most of my youth. In my early 20’s I became deeply involved in Kendo (Japanese sword fighting), Ultimate-Frisbee and golf. But as I grew older and became sedentary and out of shape, I started doing those generic, lose weight, type workouts without much success.
How long have you been doing crossfit and why do you choose to crossfit?
I started CrossFit in July of 2012. Unfortunately a shoulder injury put me on the sidelines for October, November and December. But I’ve been at full time now for the past 5 months! I had been doing a lot of research about the best ways to improve my health. I have been following a paleo lifestyle now for over a year and a half (well, getting better and better at living a paleo lifestyle for the past year and a half) and being a reader of Robb Wolf, I was introduced to the idea of CrossFit. I continued to do a lot of research and watching videos and I had to try it! My first drive-by of the old CrossFit gym really made me question the validity of it all. Folks have to remember that when Adam started his CrossFit gym in Sudbury, he did it the smart way! Starting small and building up! It was fellow CrossFitter Trish Whitall who insisted I come and try it out with her. Well, I did and the first time I nearly puked all over the place! LOL! I’ve been ADDICTED ever since!
What is your favorite part about crossfit?
My first favorite thing about CrossFit is the community. The moment I stepped into the gym I was welcomed and accepted by everyone there. There are no giant egos walking around thinking they are better than everyone. Every CrossFitter I’ve met so far is humble, kind, friendly, supportive, encouraging and just pleasant to be around! I usually try not to take a rest day because I miss out on going to CrossFit! It’s funny; recently we’ve started comparing CrossFit Sudbury to Cheers! Anyone who read the lyrics will feel like that’s exactly what CrossFit is:
Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn’t you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they’re always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.
You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name.
My second favorite thing about CrossFit is that it is completely changing my body! I’ve never lost so much fat and put on so much muscle simultaneously. I’ve done all sorts of programs and diets to make this happen in the past but nothing has been as effective as CrossFit! I’m going to have to start shopping for smaller pants and shirts with bigger shoulders soon! If anyone wants to look better, feel better, perform better, nothing will get you there faster than CrossFit!
What are the accomplishments you are proud of? (Crossfit or non crossfit related)
First of all, on a non-Crossfit related subject, being a single father with primary care of my son, I’m extremely proud that not only have so far been successful at raising a happy, polite, kind, respectful young man but I’ve done it on my own while putting myself through school after a catastrophic layoff in 2008. Maybe that’s why I love CrossFit so much… because I always persevere through adversities; I take life’s challenges as opportunities to be better and stronger for the future. I approach every WoD with the same attitude. Yes, I might poke fun at how hard it might be but deep down inside; I know that I will get out of CrossFit exactly what I put into it. It’s up to me to succeed or fail! And I want to succeed!!!
Favorite workout or lift?
I love the squat!! I love the raw, animalistic nature of that lift. Either you crush it or it crushes you! I love feeling a massive weight on my shoulders, threatening to break me and put me to the ground and then squatting down deep, ATG and pushing my way through the pain, getting the bar up, defying all sense and sensibility to finally put the bar back on the rack with a satisfying sound!
I’ve recently fallen in love with the snatch! I used to be terrified of the lift until about a week ago where something just changed in my mind and I started loving it. That day, my PR jumped by almost 50 lbs! It’s incredible what a change in attitude can do! I love the elegance and the grace of a well performed snatch! The skill and precision required is so precise that it can take years to master! That really motivates me to get better and train harder and CrossFit’s Weighlifting Club is helping me achieve those goals!
Anything else you would like to share please feel free ☺
Thank you everyone at CrossFit Sudbury, both staff and members for, quite simply, changing my life! I think I’m going to be around for a long time!
Thank YOU Chuck for being such a positive person and bringing such awesome energy to the gym. It is always appreciated.