Name: Sarjeet Patel
Age: 38
How long you have been a member at CFSC: 1 year 4 months
How you got started at CFSC: My first stint with CFSC was in 2014 when I landed up here after googling on “best gyms near me” J. At that point I had no idea what “crossfit” was and I got concerned seeing lack of exercise equipment but registered anyway. My initial period of adjustment was very tough for varied reasons like – I had no concept that diet and sleep played such a huge role in recovery and that technique was way more important than trying to not be the last in the workouts. Suffice to say that I was feeling fatigued a lot and I talked myself into thinking that Crossfit was only for athletes (bad judgement on my part) and not for normal guys like me and that was the end of my first CFSC stint.
Arrive 2020 and I was going to Charlotte Athletic Club in uptown pre-pandemic and once the lockdowns started, I stopped going to gym completely and used to be up late at nights watching shows and movies and waking up late every day. Clearly that was affecting my health and I wanted to give CFSC another try. I wanted to start with a clean slate and hence started doing PT with Buffy and Tiara and loved it since day 1. I have not looked back ever since J
Favorite CrossFit movement: Deadlift (because it’s so simple and effective at the same time)
Least favorite CrossFit movement: Double Unders
Favorite healthy food/meal: Kitchari (simple traditional Indian recipe which consists of rice, split mung beans, ghee, spices, veggies, water)
Favorite part about CFSC: The people and its culture is what makes this place an awesome experience for everyone to be around with. Exercise is just a bonus 😉
Something we don’t know about you: I wanted to be professional poker player after my graduation from Grad school. I spent more than a few months reading up lots of books on it and putting it into practice. I can say I got wiser because of it J
Words of wisdom for people who are new to CrossFit or interested in trying it: Go for it and don’t think twice about it. You will learn a lot about yourself in the process. There is nothing to lose and only to gain in this journey.
Name: Pooja Patel
Age: 35
How long you have been a member at CFSC: 1 year 3 months
How you got started at CFSC: First of all, I did not want to join CrossFit as Sarjeet had put an unreasonable amount of fear in me with regards to the intensity of the workouts. Plus, I wanted to avoid high intensity workouts as I had falsely associated migraines with HIIT.
Then came 2020, we started working remotely, our gym closed, routines changed and our fitness levels dropped.
Around that time Sarjeet started PT with CFSC which he really liked and encouraged me to join. PT was the best way for me to begin my CrossFit journey which I did. It has been an amazing experience so far J
Favorite CrossFit movement: Deadlift
Least favorite CrossFit movement: Overhead squat snatch
Favorite healthy food/meal: Kitchari, Grilled Salmon and Crab cakes
Favorite part about CFSC: The coaches and the members are a lively group and encourage each other in every possible way. It’s a fun place to be at 6am 😀
Something we don’t know about you: I am an Indian by origin but grew up in 2 different countries in the Middle East – Oman (13years) and U.A.E (16 years) and have only visited India during summer holidays.
Words of wisdom for people who are new to CrossFit or interested in trying it: Don’t be scared. It is not going to be easy but it isn’t something that you cannot do. It will change you for the better.