February Athlete of the Month: Jeff Sherman
Congratulations, Jeff! You are the February NoCoast Athlete of the Month!!!
Jeff is a long time member at NoCoast; over the past 6 years his consistency in the gym and in our nutrition challenges has always been top notch! Jeff is someone that we can all look up to as an example of someone who prioritizes his health for the sake of longevity. We can't express how much Jeff means to us and our community, he has always been so friendly and welcoming to everyone and he is always willing to help and lend a hand.
Quotes from Jeff:
“I love doing the clean challenges. When I do them, they make a HUGE difference in how I look, feel, and perform. People say that you can not out-exercise a bad diet and I find that to be completely true. I feel much more in touch with my body and my mood when I eliminate categories of foods that I should avoid.”
“We have made some of our closest and most enduring friends through NoCoast. My NoCoast friends have been a great source of support during numerous major life events. I am not sure what I’d do without them.”
Age/Weight:
52/185 lbs
Athletic/Sports history/highlights:
My all-time sports highlight was beating current University of Michigan basketball head coach and former Fab Five player, Juwan Howard, at pop-a-shot in an Ann Arbor bar during law school. I was a sports nut as a kid. I loved playing baseball, football, soccer, and tennis and was always among the best athlete of my friends. As I got older, my peers started passing me in strength, stamina, and skill and I lost some of my passion. Once I had kids who are both serious athletes (Max in tennis and Lucy in figure skating), I decided that it would be fun to return to get back to my roots. I had so much fun playing with my kids. I started running about 15 years ago and did several half and full marathons. Then I wanted to branch out further and discovered CrossFit.
How long have you been CrossFitting?
A little over six years, on a consistent basis.
How did you get into CrossFit?
I started dabbling in CrossFit while mobilized to Fort Hood, Texas in 2010. I immediately loved the challenge of both the metcons and the technical movements. I knew that no other exercise program could complete with CrossFit in terms of the variety, intensity, and scalability.
What is your favorite WOD/CrossFit movement?
I love deadlifts. It is so satisfying to lift multiples of my body weight!
What is your least favorite WOD/CrossFit movement?
Assault Bike. I don’t know why, but there is something about that machine that I find deeply painful.
What is your most memorable CrossFit moment?
I can still remember back in 2014 when Coach Jurney taught me to climb the rope. I was so elated that I could do it (and I still am)!
How does nutrition play a role in your fitness and recovery?
I love doing the clean challenges. When I do them, they make a HUGE difference in how I look, feel, and perform. People say that you can not out-exercise a bad diet and I find that to be completely true. I feel much more in touch with my body and my mood when I eliminate categories of foods that I should avoid.
How has CrossFit improved your overall wellness? And how has it helped you in the Army Reserves?
I am an officer in the Army Reserve. Since starting CrossFit, I consistently excel at the Army physical fitness test (even at age 52). The Army is currently rolling out a new fitness test that uses many CrossFit-like movements such as deadlifts, chest-to-deck push ups, and a modified knees-to-elbows. Because of CrossFit, I was one of very few people in my unit to pass the test upon its release.
How has CrossFit changed your family?
We have made some of our closest and most enduring friends through NoCoast. My NoCoast friends have been a great source of support during numerous major life events. I am not sure what I’d do without them.
Advice to new people:
Have fun, be coachable, and put your ego aside. Everyone is cheering for you regardless of your fitness level. The coaches are extremely knowledgeable. Listen to what they say and you will enjoy your workouts more, improve more quickly, and minimize the chance of injury. You don’t need to keep up with the elite athletes at the gym right away (or ever, if you’re me).