Around The Whiteboard with Glen Wilkins

 

Certifications: L1 / certifiably crazy

Favorite WOD: Fran

Favorite Lift: Snatch

Deadlift:435

Back Squat:335

 Snatch:190

 Clean and Jerk: 255

Favorite Food: All food

Favorite Movie: The Big Lebowski

Favorite Athlete: Dimitri Klokov / Mario Cipollini

Dream Job: Commissioner of GA Department of Natural Resources

Dream Vacation Destination: Want to see the world (Russia in the winter to lift with Klokov)

Favorite Workout Song: Anything Rob Zombie (metcon) / Tom Waits or Frank Sinatra (Weightlifting)

Favorite Motivational Quote: “Learn to be comfortable in your pain cave” (I think I heard it first from Ben Davis)

Do you have a background in sports? How did you get started in those activities?

Baseball, cycling in college (road and mt. bike), ski, skateboard, snowboard, surf. Played some HS baseball. Was on a skateboard early on and still skate when I can. Cross country skiing led to downhill skiing, which led to snowboarding which led to surfing. My father was/is a big cyclist so I was a cyclist by default.

When did you start coaching?

March of 2018

What do you love most about coaching others?

I actually know something about what I am talking about at the gym now! I love constantly learning from the other coaches and members. I see in others some of the same mistakes that I make, which helps me with their cues and reminds me to get my game straight as well! I also enjoy getting to know the members better and understanding their goals and what makes them want to push themselves harder.

How long have you been doing CrossFit?

January 2013 (6 years)

What impact has CrossFit/the barbell had on your life, lifestyle, and level of fitness?

I was always a cardio/endurance kind of guy, never really lifted. Made me appreciate the intricacies of the sport. Crossfit has opened my eyes to a better diet and health choices as well.

Tell us about a CrossFit (or weightlifting) moment or achievement of which you are particularly proud.

I always set a goal going into the Open. I don’t put my goal as a raw number of where I want to finish in my category, but I do set a percentage of where I want to end. Usually set it at 10% or better in the world, and adjust every year from there.

What is one goal you have yet to achieve but are working hard towards?

Be more consistent with my ring muscle ups.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I love the outdoors. Would like to hunt and hike more. My family is always at the top of the list, so their hobbies are mine. Ask Nicole, that’s how I got into Crossfit!

What are you passionate about?

My faith, my wife and my family! Pretty passionate about Crossfit’s benefits as well…

What is your advice for new members?

Trust the process, show up every day. If you don’t feel like coming, then that is a cue that you really need to be at the gym. Never quit a WOD, feel free to complain about it, but when the clock starts make the most of it. Don’t cheat yourself on time, weight or reps. Whatever you put into to it you will get out of it. Watch your diet, ask others what they do. If you want weight loss ask others what they do, we all have different ways that we succeed, there is no one and only answer.

You’ve had the opportunity to drop in to quite a few different CrossFit gyms, what do you love most about No Excuses CrossFit?

I have dropped into gyms all over the country and one in Belgium. I like that we are eager to learn more about our guests want them to feel welcome. We want to know where they are from, what they do, how they started in Crossfit etc. No Excuses has a great community feel. Also, it is very helpful that we have a coach who actually does his own programming (Chris Fischer). I go to a lot of gyms and it is a girl WOD or Hero WOD every day. While they are fun to do at times, they are not what is best for you.