Wine Country CrossFit

Meet Lucas! He comes in the gym almost everyday at 5.30PM with his big smile and nice attitude. A temporary job with AmeriCorps brought him to Napa, and a full time position with Napa County Office of Education keeps him here.

Lucas has quite an athletic background. At WCCF he has found his bearings, getting stronger in front of our eyes!

When did you start CrossFit and why? I originally tried Crossfit back in my early days of college as a supplement to my collegiate baseball workout. But I threw my back out the third day I was there from swinging a kettlebell that was way too heavy. I decided to take a sabbatical until my colleague, Chris Kelly, convinced me to try  it out with Wine Country Crossfit. I started last August. I was new in town and looking for a challenge and sense of community. Wine Country Crossfit has given me both of those things! In contrast to my previous gym, the  experience at WCCF with technique has been wonderful and informative. I really appreciate and enjoy the time we spend each class on technique and making sure we are performing our workout correctly. At the other CrossFit gym I tried there was insufficient time spent on technique – as well as a disregard for the weight that best works for me. At WCCF, there is an emphasis on working with weight that is optimal for each person.

What time of day do you come in? I come in almost exclusively to the 5:30 PM class.

What is one type of movement you hate and one you love? I love wall balls because I can really utilize my height and I love the burn I get. I don’t hate any movement but I struggle with handstand push ups.  

Any big goal(s) set for the next year? I’d really love to do double-unders more consistently. I’d also like to be more competitive in the Crossfit Open.

Name an athlete that inspires you and why. I’ve been a big admirer of Ashton Eaton who won the Olympic decathlon twice in Rio and London. His sense of drive, humility, and respect for fellow athletes is an example to anyone whether in sports or not. I’m also a big fan of Roger Federer for the exact same reason. In general, I’m a big fan of athletes who use their elevated platform to be positive examples and role models for others.

Tell us one fun fact about you. I was born in Miami, Florida but have lived in Charleston, South Carolina, Dallas,Texas, Orlando, Florida and now California!

You were left on a deserted island.  What one food and thing (i.e. book, music player, etc…) would you want to be left with you? I would bring rum and a book about building a boat from scratch

How has CrossFit helped you in sports? Life? Crossfit has greatly helped in giving structure to my day and life. I know for many young 20-somethings, having a sense of structure to their day is really important and Crossfit has filled that nicely for me. It’s also given me discipline in my life choices by being more conscious of my diet and how I take care of myself. I can tell I have more energy throughout the day as a result of being structured in my diet through Crossfit. It’s also helped me by constantly challenging me, thus making me a better version of myself, physically and mentally.  I can honestly say I’m now more optimally and functionally fit than I’ve ever been.

How have workouts changed for you over the years? I’ve become more aware and focused on being functionally fit as opposed to bulky muscle and general muscle gain. Workouts for me now are focused on a more comprehensive approach to physical fitness, meaning I’m aiming to build a stronger core, be better balanced, become more coordinated, and target weaknesses.