CrossFit Athletic Group

On January 5, 2012 something happened at the Champions Club that was said would "never happen" by numerous credible sources: Mr. Carey came in for his first CrossFit workout:

"What the hell am I doing with my life?"The New Old Weight Room was an odd place, indeed. It was actually the music room when me, Mr. Andrew, Mrs. Carey, and my dad all went to Foley, and was converted into the weight room a few months before this picture was taken due to the Champions Club's nagging requests after out-growing the Old Weight Room and the Fieldhouse.

I suppose I need to be more specific, because the New Old Weight Room was not really that odd of a place in general for a weight room to be - it had squat racks, some rubber floor, a little office, the ever-present luring smell of concession stand popcorn (the best kind of popcorn), and a newly installed 21-foot Rogue pull-up rig - but rather it was an odd place for a dad to be.

I have talked about before how strong the female presence in the gym has been, but it cannot be understated. This is especially true with the parents. Mama V was the seed that grew a Mom's Club consisting of 15 awesome ladies and one single dad (Mr. Wonsil). Naturally, it took a ton of convincing to finally get Mrs. Carey's better half to take the first step.

To illustrate the previous point, I spent a decent chunk of the last two days trying to find this picture in the archives. I gave up and called Bubs, who ended up finding it tucked away in the Mom's Club: Year 2 Photo Gallery; I didn't even bother acknowledging that our Mom's Club had dads in it.

But from that point on, Mr. Carey has been the most consistent adult male influence in the Champions Club: 

Time Isn't All That Matters

Beat Your Kids

Quote of the Week vol. 177

You Are Not Busy (Yes, That Means You)

...

Behind the Champion: The Couple Series pt. 2

Athlete of the Week - Summer 2015

Alpha Dawg

Quote of the Week vol. 307: Double Dose or Mr. Carey

What Are They Saying 12: Couple's Corner

Athlete of the Winter '19-'20

...

For me, though, Mr. Carey's influence has gone far beyond the workouts, themselves, or the impact he's had on our growing number of dads. Since 2017 Mr. Carey's been my main sounding board with regards to the direction the Champions Club is going. To say I really value his opinion would be an understatement; it might not be an overstatement to say that I trust him the most out of anyone, and that says a lot considering literally view everyone in our gym to be very trustworthy. He has that awesome ability to not really say anything when he has nothing to say - which ends up making the things he does say carry have a better impact. I try and imitate this and I've found it much more difficult than it sounds. 

Regardless if you're Mr. Slade trying to jump on the Champions Club train for the first time, or Bubs trying to come back home and looking for a familiar face among our new era of superstars, you can always spot that familiar figure in those same knee-length blue shorts, double t-shirt, and steady workout pace to match his steady demeanor. The Bus Won't Leave Without Him? You're Gotdamn Right!

Thank you Mr. Carey for giving yourself to us the last 10 years. I know I can speak for everyone in saying that I hope there are many more to come!

Chris