Congratulations to Nick Dyson – our January 2021 Athlete of the Month! Nick has been at Capital City CrossFit for nearly two years now. Nick has been a tremendous addition to the C3 Community since joining us. More often than not, Nick can be found at the 5:00am class. Despite being up before the sun, Nick brings the heat. You can always count on him giving his best effort. Even through quarantine, Nick stayed committed to the Home WODs and even got his daughters involved in the action. Nick’s personal fitness journey is an inspiring one. A lifelong athlete who lost his competitive drive somewhere along the way, Nick found it again with CrossFit. He made his health a priority and his hard work and determination has lead to amazing changes. As a born-again athlete, Nick has put his CrossFitness to the test on many occasions, most recently at the 2020 IceBreather where he and teammate Jesse de Castro placed 2nd in the Intermediate Men’s Division!
1. In general, what is your background?
I was born and raised just down the road in Jacksonville. I grew up playing just about every sport that was available: from travel baseball and soccer to wrestling and even scholastic bowl. When I finally got my first taste of football, everything else got pushed aside. I played from 7th grade all the way through four years college (Monmouth College, a fairly competitive D3 school) *Roll Scots*. Our QB actually made it to NFL and has been bounced around from practice squads and actually made the final roster several times as a backup. My self-proclaimed claim to football immortality is that I have picked off a NFL QB. Once football was over I continued to eat like I was practicing 3 hours a day and I really started to pack on the pounds. Eventually I got to a point where I was more than 280 pounds. I remember the day I looked in the mirror and finally decided to take ownership of my health and wellness. It took a couple of years, but I finally stepped out of my comfort zone in 2017 and walked into my first CrossFit box.
2. Age, Occupation?
33 and I am the general supervisor of the histocompatibility laboratory at MMC. I help ensure recipients in need of a kidney transplant are compatible with potential donors. Think Match.com but with organs. All jokes aside, organ donation and transplantation is something I am pretty passionate about and if you have any questions don’t be afraid to ask!
3. How did you get to know about CrossFit and why did you start?
I’ve known about CrossFit for a hot minute. I would sit on my couch, eating hot Cheetos, and be amazed at what these people could do. Honestly, I started simply to look better naked. I had just lost 80 pounds pretty rapidly (with almost no exercise) and was tired of feeling skinny fat / loose in the cage.
4. How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
I started CrossFit because I didn’t like what I saw in the mirror. I went all-in because I enjoy the process seeing what this body of mine can do. I wasn’t kidding when I said I was sitting on my couch eating Cheetos. After college I struggled with a reason to continue working out. I’m not super competitive but going against the other 5 AM crazies and having that little bit of accountability makes a world of difference for me. My world doesn’t revolve around fitness, but ever since I have started my CrossFit journey I rarely sit around on my couch (you can usually find me chasing around my kiddos or hunting with or training my dogs) and you’ll be hard pressed to find me eating Cheetos.
5. Name one goal and/or personal record you would like to accomplish through CrossFit.
I would like to get through high volume double under workouts without looking like I came out of a casting for 50 shades of gray.
6. Favorite CrossFit moment so far?
Competing in local team/partner competitions is the best. It’s always fun to turn the intensity up and see what you’ve really got in the tank. Plus as a bonus; I always seem to do well in partner WODs.
7. What is your least favorite WOD to date?
I did my first CrossFit partner competition when I was about 6 months in and the first workout still sticks out. It was a 21-15-9 couplet of db snatch and pull-ups. Not a bad workout on paper, but I got no-rep’d 18 times in my round of 21 pull-ups…..
8. What do you like most about Capital City CrossFit?
My Crossfit journey actually started in Jacksonville at Carriage House Crossfit. I will be forever thankful for that box, but the investment in equipment, community and the level of programming provided at C3 is on a different level.
9. Favorite exercise?
Any moderately heavy barbell cycling.
10. Least favorite exercise?
See number 5. Dubs hurt me….mind body and soul.
