Featured Athlete – Clayton Manzer

Check Out this month’s Featured Athlete, Clayton Manzer. Clayton is one of the most dedicated athletes at the box and is always pushing his own limits. The success he’s found in his first couple of months of CrossFit is a testament to his hard work and proof that anyone that is willing to put in the effort can reach their fitness goals. Keep striving for excellence Clayton!
Being a Professional Firefighter, physical fitness is of the utmost importance. Pulling hose and breaching walls wearing 75 pounds of gear in excess of over 1,000 degrees, operating extrication equipment, carrying patients on stretchers are just some of the challenges that we face at any given time. Being physically fit is one of the best ways to guarantee that I go home to my daughter after my shift. I’ve tried all different kinds of exercise programs, even finished 3 half-marathons. Spent countless hours running the roads and pushing weights in the gym. Nothing ever seemed to help me reach the goals I was looking for. That all changed when I was introduced to Crossfit Beaumont in February.
My first time to hear about Crossfit was from my good friend Karen Pierce, who is an all around animal at anything she does. Hearing her talk about Crossfit was one of those things that sounded great, but I never thought I’d be able to do it. But at 330 pounds, I knew something had to be done. I lost some weight training for 2 half-marathons early this year, but I was ready for a lifestyle change. I was ready to change my life. Thats where Crossfit Beaumont stepped in. When Shannon Derharoutian invited me to come try a Saturday workout, I figured I had nothing to lose. I couldn’t tell you what the WOD that day was, but I knew I was never going back to my old gym and wasting my time. 45 pounds later, I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in my life and still losing. The differences it’s made in my everyday activities, and on the job are astounding to say the least. In Crossfit, the idea is to be “fit for life”. No other words could describe my feelings better!
I’m so glad I was ever introduced to the Crossfit methodology. There’s no way that I can ever go back to “normal” workouts after experiencing the things I have at Crossfit. If you would’ve told me 2 months ago that I was going to do a workout that included 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, and 300 squats in 30 minutes, and smile when I was done…I would’ve called you crazy. Tell me I cant do it tomorrow, I’ll call you crazy