Athlete Spotlight: Tommy Henley

Name: Tommy Henley

Age: 41

Occupation: Financial Controller

Hometown: Atlanta

Which class time do you usually attend?: The best one! 12:30

Favorite WOD: Jackie

Favorite CF Movement: Rowing, but starting to like the gymnastics stuff more and more

Least Favorite CF Movement: Turkish Get-Up, there isn’t a close 2nd

3RM Back Squat: 205 I think, could probably do more now

1RM Deadlift: 315, but haven’t tested it in a long time

Favorite Food: Pizza, but also churros

Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption

Favorite Athlete: Stetson Bennett

Dream Job: When I was younger it was being a baseball player, but now I think it would be something in sports that allows for a good life/work balance.

Dream Vacation Destination: Just give me a beach, sunshine, and some alcohol.

If you could have any super power… Flight or Time Travel

Favorite Motivational Quote: The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work.” – Vince Lombardi

How long have you been doing CrossFit? (Since Month, Year): First started in August 2017, but two small kids have made me inconsistent until I joined No Excuses last year.

How did you first discover CrossFit and what made you decide to start?: I was living in Atlanta and close to a gym, CrossFit Terminus. Just needed to get back in shape and liked the idea of what it provided with different workouts and community.

Tell us about your fitness/sports background: I played baseball when I was younger up until college, after that it was pretty non-existent other than some occasional rec sports until I found CrossFit.

What sorts of positive changes (mental, physical, emotional) have you noticed in your life since getting involved at No Excuses?: So many! Working out during the day helps my mental so much and helps with the day. From the physical side I am able to play with my kids more and chase them around without feeling too exhausted. Down about 40 pounds and 4 inches in my waist since I started last August. Just feel so much better in general.

Who or what keeps you coming back and motivated?: My kids and wanting to be healthy for them is most important, but I also love the community at No Excuses, and can’t miss pink Fridays!

In what other ways do you use your fitness? Mostly with my kids, but I also have tried to use my improved health to motivate others to do more for themselves to get healthy.

Please share with us a favorite CrossFit or No Excuses moment.: First time finishing Murph without scaling any of the movements, and the time with the community after.

Name one goal you would like to achieve in the next year (doesn’t have to be CrossFit related, but it can be): Goal for the year is to hit 250 workouts, but I would also like to work on improving the movements that I struggle with, starting with double unders.

Tell us about your hobbies and interests outside of the gym: Hobbies are hard to fit in with a 5 and 3 year old, but my other interests are mostly sports, love college football!

What advice do you have for someone just starting CrossFit or is on the fence about starting? Stick with it and be consistent! When you start it can be very tough and the workouts seem impossible. If you keep coming back and try hard the progress is so satisfying.

What do you love most about No Excuses? The coaches are great and the people are awesome. The 12:30 crew is the best and everyone should be a part of pink Fridays. When I miss a day at the gym now it really throws my whole rhythm off.