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November 2020 Member Highlight: Stan Benjamin

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Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I spent my childhood in Port-au- Prince, Haiti. I am Trilingual (English, Haitian-Creole, French). Played Football, Basketball and Baseball. I still play intramural Softball now and I am a referee for flag football also. I met my beautiful wife on a Royal Caribbean Cruise, Oasis of the Seas – In My opinion, this used to be the only way to vacation before COVID-19. She and her sister were being hounded and stalked by multiple groups of men on the cruise. She ran to my cousin and I for safety and protection. We were known as secret service the rest of the cruise. We build a friendship and as they say the rest is history.

What made you join CrossFit Torque?

I joined because of lack of discipline and laziness on my part, just kidding, kind off. Life was throwing lots of new obstacles at me. Playing intramurals was what kept me active. But life was making it more and more impossible to stay active. I put on a bunch of weight, got hurt, my health was pretty much in jeopardy. Joining a GYM was not a possibility. Granted the 24-hour gym would better fit into my hectic schedule. But I have only known working out as a team.

What keeps you coming back every day?

Having teammates pushing you, a coach holding you accountable. They are all making sure you show up and that you work hard when you get there. That is what drew me to Torque at first. But what made me stay was the family. Yes, I said family. That is how I see the Torque community.

Coach Amanda coming to your house making you do wall balls of a tree.

Coach Sara teaching you small movements that allow you to be able to go up and down the stairs pain free or chase your 19-month daughter around.

Coach Lea, after working out and teaching 2 other classes getting down with you and doing 20 burpees with you to make sure you finish the full workout, even after we have hit the cap.

It’s Kim and Chris showing you the positivity and how fun a workout is despite what the workout is.

Ember melting your heart as she calls you by name on your way out. Or

Nutrition Coach Jamie finding out new healthy ways to solve your bad eating habits. So many other stories that we would be here all day.

It will change your life, for the better. Be your own person, do not listen to the narrative.”

What is your proudest accomplishment so far?

My proudest accomplishment is also my greatest failure, completing the “343” WOD. Those darn Burpees. Loved getting on the wall upside down. Yup I somehow did a handstand. I did enjoy getting to Round 12 of Death by “Power Clean & Push Press”.

Biggest challenge?

Burpees, those Burpees. Also increasing my mobility to go parallel or below parallel in my squat. Lunging with perfect balance and totally pain free.

Favorite movement?

Rowing; I’ll row all day. Oh that’s not a movement. I used to love wall balls. I’m falling back in love with box jump. Yes, I will go with box jumps.

What’s one piece of advice you would offer to someone who is hesitant to start CrossFit?

It will change your life, for the better. Be your own person, do not listen to the narrative of, “It’s a cult you’ll get hurt”. Not at Torque. I will not lie every box is different. Do your homework, schedule the free no sweat intro. Get the feel of the coaches and culture. Make sure it is right for you.

And for the most important question, if you could have one superpower, what would it be?

The power of healing. Ability to heal myself, regenerate and to heal others.

people working out in a group fitness class

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