How did you discover CrossFit?
I had a coworker who did CrossFit with Jenny and Jorine back at Miramont. I eventually got a job in Fort Collins which allowed me to start coming to the gym because I worked so close to home. I wanted to try something in a class-like setting in order to keep me motivated to keep coming and trying new things. I started doing 2 days a week, then 3, eventually 4 and now 5 as I felt I was ready to do more. I never actually got to join my coworker in class because they always came at 5am and I wasn’t interested in getting up that early.
What draws you to DeNovo CrossFit?
My alarm keeps going off every morning, so I keep showing up. Jenny hasn’t told me to stop coming yet so I’m still here.
In all seriousness, if I didn’t show up, I’d get about 500 steps each day and not raise my heart rate above 100 BPM. I enjoy coming for the camaraderie and laughs that each class has as well as getting to move my body and focus on something that’s not the 500 emails in my inbox at work.
What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment in CrossFit and in life?
The first time hitting over 100 lbs. in all the weightlifting movements was amazing. Having all that hard work pay off when I was first starting out really helped motivate me to keep going.
In life, I was really lucky to be able to buy my house before everything went crazy. Having something of my own that I can work towards improving gives me a lot of satisfaction that I’m building something for my future.
What athlete/s at DeNovo inspire you to be the best version of yourself each and every day?
I’m usually the last person to finish the workout, so I’m usually watching everyone else finish the WOD before me. This helps me keep moving otherwise I would have given up after the warm up.
What is your pet peeve?
Slow drivers, especially when I’m trying to get to the gym in the morning.
What/who inspires you?
Really good drummers. Watching people push the limits of technical ability is so incredible to see. I love trying to replicate the same grooves or fills on my drumset.
Favorite joke.
Stephen’s Thankful Thursdays are always amazing; the other classes are missing out.
What advice would you have for anyone who is nervous to join DeNovo?
Just start; there’s never going to be a perfect time to start. We’re all here at different parts of our own fitness journey and started at different parts of our lives. What’s most important is just showing up and being ready to do something for yourself.
What do you enjoy doing outside of CrossFit, both for fun and professionally?
For fun, I recently got back into playing drums after not having a drum set for many years. So if I’m not playing in my garage I can be found constantly tapping my fingers to whatever music is playing in my head. Additionally, I’m quite a good cook, so I’m often whipping up something amazing in my kitchen.
If we were sitting here one year from now, what would we be celebrating together?
Another year free from nuclear annihilation. Maybe some PRs or something; that’s a long time from now…
Favorite CrossFit movement?
Snatches - Jorine says my movement is flawless.
What are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading "Clockwork Lives" by Kevin J Anderson. It's a story about a woman who must travel her world to discover other people’s life stories while figuring out her own.
What are you thankful for?
Being able to move my body everyday and enjoy what I do both in and out of the gym.
What the coaches have to say about Charlie:
Oh Charlie! It's about dang time, huh? 😝 It's so wonderful when we get to honor and recognize one of our DeNovo Dynasty members for Member Spotlight! Thank you for being with and believing in us since the very beginning of DeNovo. I appreciate your tenacity, your consistency and your genuine heart. I remember when it was often times just you at the 6am class when we first opened and you didn't let that deter you from coming to the gym, getting a great workout in and having fun with whoever was coaching. Although your schedule can be WILD, I appreciate that you make it work to keep showing up at any class time you can. I have mentioned to you before in some of our phone call chats how much I appreciate you being my morning buddy in the front area--thanks for reminding me to pull away from work and be with our people; for helping me with techy things that I never really understand until you shed some light on it for me; and for sharing laughs and jokes and overall good conversation with me. I love that you give other athletes little tidbits of info/advice, especially for Olympic Lifting. Although you're not a technically a coach, you have a bit of a coach's eye and it is neat to hear your insight on athletic movement. Aside from helping others, your consistent and diligent attendance at Barbell Club each week has paid off incredibly—the PR's you have had this year have been really, really fun to see and hear about and your overall lifting mechanics... holy cow!! So cool to think about Miramont days compared to now. Lastly, I am soooooo grateful for the support you gave me during DeNovoFest and I can't imagine that final hour without you (IYKYK.) Love you lots, Charlie! —Jenny
Congrats Charlie to being our next member spotlight! Charlie was one of our OG members at DeNovo that was there to support us from day one. One of my favorite things about Charlie is his laugh. There is no laugh like Charlie's laugh and it's so unique, loud, and genuine. I appreciate how helpful Charlie is with technical things around the gym. If I can't figure it out, he can! He helped out so much at DeNovoFest with the scoring spreadsheets as well as volunteering and being a great judge and so willing to help however he could to make the event successful. He contributes to the fun-ness of morning barbell and helps to make lifting weights super fun! Thank you for being a member and supporting us since day one. We love you Charlie! —Jorine
Charlie! Congratulations! Where do I even start? I think all the way back to our 6:15am solo classes with just you and holy cow — things have certainly changed since then! And with all that being said, some things have remained the same too! One of them being your consistency, loyalty to DeNovo, and joy you bring us and our community. Thank you for always sticking around after classes and making sure we get our “fist bump” and thank you, which means more than you know. It is fun seeing you get stronger with each barbell cycle, making committed club, doing the Open for the first time ever (!!!) and more. The 6:15am wouldn’t be the same without you and all of y’alls fun banter to go with it. ; ) I’ll still never forget the best Mac & Cheese dish I’ve ever had and loooove your sweet devotion to your dogs. Thank you for sending me fun reels about all things dachshund, Christmas, and coffee, and for being not only an amazing member of our community, but a friend. We love you! —Paige
Charlie! Congratulations on being our member spotlight! Thank you for having such a fun attitude that you bring to class and share with us. You always make me laugh when I get to workout with you. I appreciate your willingness to volunteer and help with Denovo events. You were SOO helpful at DeNovoFest and willing to do all the things (especially the numbers!) I’m grateful that you are part of DeNovo. Your consistency is paying off and is inspiring to those around you. I can’t wait to see what 2023 holds for you at DeNovo! —Nikki
