Name: Oleg Taran

Age: 46

Occupation: Construction Manager

Hometown: Republic of Moldova

Which class time do you usually attend? 8am

Favorite WOD: ‘Cindy’ or anything with pull-ups/ burpees/ bench press

Favorite CF Movement: pull-ups

Least Favorite CF Movement: overhead squat

1RM Back Squat: 205

1RM Deadlift: 225

Favorite Food: all natural sushi

Favorite Movie: Gladiator (2000)

Favorite Athlete: Djokovic

Dream Job: Owning a car tuning/ car garage.

Dream Vacation Destination: Japan

If you could have any super power… Make everyone healthy

Favorite Motivational Quote: Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today

How long have you been doing CrossFit? August 2023

How did you first discover CrossFit and what made you decide to start?*

Pete Sereno, a long time No Excuses CrossFit member, recommended I try and took me 5 months to decide to join. The wish to feel better and get healthy pushed me to try. The only regret I have is I did not join sooner. Now I go every day.

Tell us about your fitness/sports background:

School years played soccer and basketball. Last 2 years of school did Kickboxing. University 4 years did basketball and bodybuilding. All Rec leagues.

What sorts of positive changes (mental, physical, emotional) have you noticed in your life since getting involved at No Excuses?

Mental sharpness. My head/ mind is more clear after workouts. Better stamina, but still more work to do. When I workout at 8am, I feel better for the rest of the day in comparison to when I don’t workout. Feel happier more sharp after workouts in the morning. Feel stronger overall after 19 months into it can lift and do more reps comparing to when I started.

Who or what keeps you coming back and motivated?

I want to hit some benchmarks, it’s a personal battle/ achievement I want to accomplish like 10 straight pull-ups/ 20 straight toes to bar/ learn double under/ learn handstand push ups. Get better at the barbell movements (snatches/ cleans ) where I struggle everyday. Stronger legs/ stronger knees will help my health my body long term as I’m not getting any younger.

In what other ways do you use your fitness?

Lead by example for my family to workout and stay fit. Eat healthy habits.

Please share with us a favorite CrossFit or No Excuses moment.

I really liked the 25.3 CrossFit open where everyone was supporting and pushing me to finish the work out. I really felt a sense of accomplishment and being part of a team.

Name one goal you would like to achieve in the next year (doesn’t have to be CrossFit related, but it can be)

Learn double unders; achieve 10 strict pull ups in a row; achieve 20 toes to bar in a row.

Tell us about your hobbies and interests outside of the gym:

My kids sports events/ Coaching soccer for 8 year old daughter/ Deep sea fishing with my 2 sons. Fiddle with cars in my free time.

What advice do you have for someone just starting CrossFit or is on the fence about starting?

Think about this phrase this what drives me now at 46 years old: ” You can have 1,000 problems in life until you have a health problem. And then, you only have one. You might have problems like money, work, or stress, but the moment your health fails, none of them matters anymore. Without good health, everything else takes a backseat. Take care of your body, protect your mind, and never take your well-being for granted. Because in the end, health isn’t just wealth, it’s EVERYTHING.” Eat healthy and workout everyday. Doing CrossFit is prioritizing your wellbeing in my book. Try the intro sessions and stick to it. You’ll struggle at the beginning but it will get easier after minimum 6-8-12 months (every body is different) until then struggle no pain no gain. Even now after 19 months after joined CF in August 2023 I have days that are hard and I struggle but when the workout is done I feel so much better and I’m happy I showed for the session. Just show up for the class and let the great coaches headed by Brandon help you and correct you every step of the way.

What do you love most about No Excuses?

Group workouts. I like the class workouts/ When I see people stronger/ fitter and doing better than me and I try to keep up with them especially during the cardio exercises. It gives me mental motivation, I try to keep up with them. This makes me progress.