Bill Catherall
We would like to recognize Bill Catherall as our April athlete of the month. You can find Bill kicking butt in the evening classes at our Beaverton location. He’s always showing up with a great attitude and ready to put in work. Here’s what Bill had to say when we asked him a few questions:
1. How long have you been doing CrossFit?
I started CF in June 2017.
2. Class time?
I usually attend the 4:30 class at Beaverton.
3. What made you start doing CrossFit?
I started CF because I was struggling with my weight and health and I needed help working out. My doctor was warning me about my high blood pressure and I felt horribly out of shape. I’ve always enjoyed exercise and used to swim regularly, but due to shoulder problems and getting bored with the same routine I just stopped. And going to the gym alone wasn’t working for me. I didn’t know how to create a good program, and I usually ended up just hurting myself. So I knew I needed some coaching and motivation. I had heard about CrossFit and even though it seemed intimidating I didn’t let that stop me.
4. Favorite CrossFit movement?
My favorite movement is box jumps.
5. Least favorite movement?
My least favorite is thrusters, duh.
6. If you could design a CrossFit WOD, what would it be?
If I could design a WOD it would be a chipper with some of my other favorite movements.
For time –
1000m row
50 box jumps
30 power cleans (135/95)
1000m row
7. Hobbies outside of CrossFit?
Outside of CF I enjoy beekeeping. I’ve been keeping honey bees since 2012, and just started working with mason & leafcutter bees last year. I’m love the outdoors and am a nature enthusiast. Spending time out in nature with the dirt, bugs, birds, and trees is very therapeutic to me.
8. Tell us something most people don’t know about you
Most people don’t know that I lived in Taiwan from 1992-1994 and speak Mandarin. Although most of my travels recently have been to Spanish speaking countries so I’m going to start learning to speak that too.
9. What was your first CrossFit WOD?
My first WOD went by in a blur so I don’t remember the exact details. I do remember doing more squats than I had ever done in my life up to that point, and it also included lateral bar hops. By the time I got to the lateral bar hops my legs were so tired I couldn’t jump. Not even over a line between mats. So the coach had me side-stepped instead. That’s when I learned about scaling and how CF is do-able by anyone, at any age, in any level of fitness. I could barely walk out of the class that day, but I felt really motivated to keep doing it.
10. Biggest effect CrossFit has had on your life?
That’s one of the biggest things CrossFit has given back to me. Not only has my health dramatically improved and I feel 20 years younger, but I can now get back into and fully enjoy the outdoors with hiking and camping as I did when I was a teen. I’m always ready for any adventure and am not worried about the pain a hard hike might cause. Bring it on!