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How did you discover CrossFit?
Before we discovered CrossFit, Melissa (my wife of 16 years) and I had done every group fitness class under the sun (Spinning, Group Power, Kickboxing, boot camps, and tons of yoga). In the spring of 2018, most Monday nights at 5:30pm at Miramont North you could find us doing a Vinyasa flow yoga class in the studio above the CrossFit area. I remember standing on the running track above the CrossFit area watching the CrossFit classes as we stood in line outside of the yoga studio waiting for our class to begin. We’d enter the studio, the class would begin, we’d get warmed up, and I’ll never forget how often I’d have my peak poses and my savasanas interrupted by crashing barbells! While the noise was distracting, it was always a great reminder to focus on my breathing and try to be present. I remember thinking that the Buddha was laughing at me with my monkey mind and lousy ability to focus. I also remember thinking how CrossFit was the complete opposite of my yoga practice - yin yang. Melissa and I rarely shy away from trying new things and it wasn’t long before I’d persuaded her to try CrossFit with me. We paid for our first class May 1, 2018.
What draws you to DeNovo CrossFit?
I love being a part of a community that is so positive about personal improvement. I also love how passionate the coaches at DeNovo are about helping people get better in so many different ways. I love being a part of a place that every day you get to see people transform positively right in front of your eyes. The transformation is beautiful in my opinion and the work that DeNovo provides is a vital contribution to the health of our local community. It’s a truly amazing resource that DeNovo provides to northern Colorado, and I am extremely grateful to be witness to it!
What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment in CrossFit and in life?
Without a doubt I’d say my biggest accomplishment in CrossFit is having Jenny ask me to be in a competition with her! Seriously WTF was she smoking that day?!! 🤪
Joking aside I’d say for me it’s not about any one peak, it's more about how happy or excited CrossFit has made me so many times. I remember my first Open and the anxiety I felt. I remember my first muscle up, my first bar muscle up, all the hero WODs, my PR lifts and all the muscle soreness. When I have a peak moment I always think afterwards: “that was great, but I can’t wait to get back to the next workout.” With CrossFit I enjoy the journey more than the fleeting moments that really only feed my ego.
Personally my greatest accomplishment is convincing Melissa to marry me! Seriously WTF was she smoking that day?!!
What athlete/s at DeNovo inspire you to be the best version of yourself each and every day?
I’m inspired by Richard G, the elder statesman of DeNovo CrossFit. If I could wish for one thing now as a 47-year old it would be to be fortunate enough to still be able to do CrossFit when I’m 78! If I could still be grunting my way through workouts 30! years from now just like Richard I’d take it!
What is your pet peeve?
My pet peeve is people who talk negatively about other people behind their backs. Or similarly I equally take offense to anyone who spends time spreading rumors. If you want to talk a bunch of shit about other people, I’m not your guy!
What/who inspires you?
One local inspiration for me has been this year’s NBA finals MVP Nikola Jokic. He’s unusually humble for being the most talented basketball player alive. Almost every great athlete (CrossFit athletes included) are all about screaming and gesticulating when they win, but Jokic is the complete opposite. He barely cracked a smile in June when the Denver Nuggets won the world championship. He turns away millions of dollars in endorsements and shies away from the media spotlight. He takes pride in making those around him better and when it’s all done he just wants to go home to Sombor, Serbia and care for his horses with his family nearby.
Favorite workout song?
“Believer” by Imagine Dragons.
What advice would you have for anyone who is nervous to join DeNovo?
I’d tell anyone who’s nervous about joining DeNovo to “take the leap” and try something new! Unless you’ve reached enlightenment like the Buddha, you’ve got something to work on in this life! Just remember that if CrossFit we’re supposed to be easy it would be your mom! She puts out on the first date every time!! Things that are worth doing are always going to be difficult. DeNovo’s coaches are excellent and they have your safety and your best interest in mind at all times. You’ll be amazed by the things you’ll accomplish - just stick with it!
What do you enjoy doing outside of CrossFit, both for fun and professionally?
Outside of CrossFit I am a stereotypical Coloradoan. I love being outdoors, taking walks and hikes, going to breweries with friends, etc. My favorite hobby aside from CrossFit, however, is “smooching” Melissa! That old lady’s still got it after all these years!
If we were sitting here one year from now, what would we be celebrating together?
How about some song lyrics?!
“may the best of your todays be the worst of your tomorrows
Whoa-oh
May the road less paved be the road that you follow” - Jason Mraz
Favorite CrossFit movement?
My favorite CrossFit movement is the snatch, but I love trying to lift all varieties of heavy (for me) barbells.
What are you currently reading?
I drive a lot for work so I use the app Audible a lot to listen to audiobooks. My favorite listens this year have been: 1. Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara; 2. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus; 3. Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell. 4. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. I love great books! If you have a recommendation please share! I’m always looking for more to “read.”
What are you thankful for?
I consider myself an unreasonably lucky person. Not sure what I did to deserve all the love and gifts in my life, but I don’t take it for granted for one second! I’m thankful for my health, my wife, my kids, where I live, the quality of life I enjoy, being sorta “fit”, getting to spend hundreds of hours per year at a place that makes me a better human. I could go on and on, but blah blah blah positivity blah blah blah (I know it gets old!)
What the DeNovo Coaches have to say about Dave.
Dave, I am so proud of you and how far you have come over the years. I remember the good o'l spinning and group fitness days at Miramont. Since then you have grown in strength, character (which is hard to believe because you were already such an incredible human) and capabilities. I love how consistent you are at the gym and how you show up no matter if it is going to be a scaled day or an RX day. You continue to PR yet also continue to assess your goals and what is "right" for you in the current season of life, which is so admirable. I am beyond grateful that you are at DeNovo, agreed to do a competition with me :) and also feel very honored to be able to get to spend time with you as your coach-- you teach me lessons like humility, kindness, laughter even in tough times and remembering to breathe when the times get even more rough. Thank you for sharing Melissa with us and for inspiring those around you to be the best versions of themselves possible.
-Coach Jenny
Huge congrats to Dave with being our next member spotlight! There is a lot I appreciate about Dave. I appreciate that he knows and studies the workouts, has a plan for how to attack the workouts and he LOVES heavy days! Dave also is great at listening to his body and knowing when to push and when to back off depending on what will be best for him. I really enjoyed competing with him during barbells and badges and appreciated his great attitude. I'm so glad Dave AND Melissa are at DeNovo. Thanks Dave for being a part of our community and helping us to be a fun and welcoming gym.
-Coach Jorine
Dave!!Congratulations! I’m so excited that you are our Member spotlight this month! You work so dang hard and your consistency pays off. It’s inspiring. I appreciate your attitude in the gym to be a better version of yourself and to look at the long term and keep your body safe. You also make class fun and I enjoy your “Full send” before every workout! Haha, thanks for keeping it fun!Thanks for being awesome and a part of DeNovo!
-Coach Nikki
Dave! You are so deserving of the member spotlight! My favorite thing about you is your positivity and happy energy! I am so impressed with your ability to see the silver lining and focus on the good! You rarely complain or say anything negative. You are also one of the kindest humans I know. Your energy and love for life and people rubs off on others and makes you so fun to be around. On top of that, you have an incredible drive to work hard, both in and out of the gym. You are a total beast at CrossFit and you just get better and better as you age! Your handstand push-ups are impressive and so are your lifts! Way to compete and keep up with Jenny, Drew, and Jorine. You were amazing to watch at Barbells and Badges. I also have you to thank for bringing the art of karaoke into our lives, which is now a regular occurrence! Thank you for bringing laughter, fun, and light to DeNovo! We love you, Dave!
-Coach Stef
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