January Athlete of the Month: Dakota Smith

Congratulations Dakota, you are our January Athlete of the Month

Dakota has been a NoCoaster for a little over a year and like many other sports he’s played, Dakota’s a natural CrossFitter. As a Black Track athlete, he’s been putting in the work over the past 6 months and his hard work has been paying off. Dakota’s skills, strength, and work capacity has made huge improvements; we’re excited to see the pay off this Open season!

Age/Weight/Height:

24/220/6'5"

Athletic/Sports history/highlights:

Growing up basketball was always my go-to sport. I played competitively for Broomfield High School as well as some club teams in Colorado. We would travel out of state to play in some big tournaments, two of which we ended up winning! During the spring season, I also would do track and field. I started off competing in the triple and long jump but then ended up doing some of the short distance relays. But all of that was more to just keep me in shape for basketball. During college, I played a little bit of basketball in New York before transferring back to CU where I picked up rowing with my brother.

Additionally, I've always been big into skiing and snowboarding and I can't remember a time where I haven't done one or the other. For the past few years now I've also picked up wake-boarding and surfing. During the summer we try and get out wake surfing a few times a week. But my next activity that I want to get into is some beach volleyball!

How long have you been CrossFitting?

I started sometime last fall so it's been a little bit over a year now!

How did you get into CrossFit?

It was always something that I wanted to try in college but never ended up getting around to it. I was lifting pretty regularly but was never really able to get into just lifting by itself and CrossFit seemed like the perfect way to change things up.

What is your favorite WOD/CrossFit movement?

I don't know if I have a favorite WOD but I'm always up for anything with rowing! I'm also a big fan of the heavy lifting days because it's easy to see improvements.

What is your least favorite WOD/CrossFit movement?

Anything with pull-ups!! It seems like my pull-up strength is miles behind everything else which is frustrating but at least it gives me something to keep getting better at.

What is your most memorable CrossFit moment?

I think the first time that I got a muscle-up was probably the most memorable moment that I have had so far. A few months ago, I just went up to the pull-up rig to give it a shot (which usually never works) and for the first time I actually got one! I chicken-armed it the whole way but I still made it over the bar.

How does nutrition play a role in your fitness and recovery?

I grew up eating pretty well so it was never one of those things that I ever thought about. But I can always tell when I've gotten a little sloppy eating because the next workout I do I always feel terrible after and during. I think the biggest problem that I usually encounter is that I just don't eat enough (I go to Costco a lot...)

How has CrossFit improved your overall wellness?

I generally feel better both physically and mentally. Now whenever I go play basketball I'm usually always the one that keeps wanting to play and isn't getting tired out. I've also noticed a bunch of little things like being able to ski for longer or being able to power through tricks wake boarding that I wouldn't have been able to before.

Advice to new people:

Just keep showing up and giving everything you got! You're not going to win everyday but the time and effort eventually pays off.