July Athlete Focus: Dave M.
“Dave always comes in with a great attitude, ready to work hard, he’s made some huge progress over the last couple years! I love that he’s always down to try some of the weirder stuff I have people do haha.”
– Coach Jake
Member since: February 1st 2018.
Tell us about you!
I moved to MA in 2011 with my wife, Marisa, and started working for an entertainment production company called High Output. Now after 8 ½ years I’ve moved my way up to managing the production department and have seen and worked on a great many interesting shows, movies, tv broadcasts, and special events. I’ve worked on the Equalizer 1 and 2, Ghostbusters, The Slender Man, CNN and MSNBC debates and broadcasts, numerous commercials, lots and lots of political events (including over 15 presidential visits), and I manage the Audio, Video, Lighting, Staging, and Rigging for Harvard University’s commencement services. My main hobby is my job, but I’m also an avid video game fan and used to rock climb on a regular basis prior to starting at Torque. For over 15 years I’ve been a part of setting up and running the New Hampshire Highland Games at Loon Mt., which I guess at this point can be considered a hobby! I also love playing with my dogs, Cowboy and Cash, and going on road trips and adventures with Marisa. In under a month we’ll also be adding a new person to our family adventures!
What was it about CrossFit Torque that made you want to join?
Marisa had been a member of CrossFit City Line in Newton from 2011-2014. At the time I couldn’t afford to go but I was always interested because the results spoke for themselves. A regular gym membership was never really interesting to me because I never knew what machines to use or how long to run for. It was all kind of daunting. I had been searching for something to challenge me on a regular basis and rock climbing at the time was sort of doing that. But it was only pushing me to my limits here and there. I drive by Torque twice a day to and from work and one day, in 2018, I drove by and said to myself “I’m emailing them when I get home”. I had my first on-ramp the following week with Coach Carey and have been going 3x a week since!
What has kept you coming back to Torque?
The coaches, the members, and the challenge presented day after day. They really all contribute to a really fun way to get and stay in shape! It’s such a great community of people.
What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?
Before coming to Torque, I’d never done a handstand before in my life (nor had a planned to!). Now I’m working up to doing freestanding handstands and handstand push-ups on a regular basis!
What has been your biggest challenge?
Hip mobility for sure. When I started I couldn’t squat below parallel. Now that I can, I’m always working on increasing my flexibility and working on my technique with anything that involves a squat.
What is your favorite CF movement to do?
I really enjoy workouts with Dumbbell Snatches! It’s fun to whip this heavy object way up overhead!
What piece of advice would you give to someone who is looking to start CrossFit but hasn’t yet?
The challenging things in life are the ones that pay off the most. CrossFit, for me, has been a rewarding way to take the challenging path. And CrossFit Torque, in particular, has been an enjoyable place to share that path with other people of the same mentality.
