Posted by Andy Petranek : Tuesday, Jul 31, 2012

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ATHLETE PROFILE: Scott H.

Hometown: Los Angeles
Age: 40
Occupation: Film & Television Finance
When did you first start CrossFitting?: October, 2011
When did you first start training at CFLA?: October, 2011
Favorite WOD: Cindy, Jackie, Murph
Least Favorite WOD: Anything with wall ball

Tell us about you sports & fitness background: I've never played any organized team sports competitively, but anything involving the ocean has always been a passion. High school throughout my twenties I was in the ocean every day. If there were waves I surfed, and if not I would paddle board or just swim. But this, and every other type of fitness whatsoever, took a back seat in my early thirties once my wife and I had our two children. I hadn't worked out consistently for eight or nine years before I joined CFLA nine months ago.

How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD... what was it, and how did it feel? I work with Vince Totino and I witnessed his physical and mental transformation over the course of a couple years doing Crossfit. It was amazing, and totally inspiring. He finally talked me into coming in for a friends and family day. I did the baseline and was hooked immediately. I hadn't felt so invigorated in years!

What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF (before/after)? I participated in the Whole Life Challenge shortly after joining and it was an amazing experience. The perfect platform for launching my re-entry into fitness. Suddenly I was working out four days a week, eating well, and mentally focused. I lost 15 pounds and dropped my body fat by 11%. The challenge set the new normal for me and I haven't looked back. "Better than Yesterday" sums it up nicely.

What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected? I came into this thinking it's just about getting back into shape. What I didn't anticipate is the extent to which Crossfit would permeate and influence so many other areas of my life. Both philosophically and pragmatically, it has fundamentally changed the way I approach both my professional and personal lives. And because of this my kids have taken notice, and taken interest. I think I'll have them in Crossfit Kids come fall!

Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFLA moments: Murph was a highlight for me this year. I come from a military family. My father is retired Army and served several tours in Vietnam. And my grandfather and great grandfather served in both World Wars. So I really appreciated the spirit, deference and gratitude in which the CFLA community honored them.

Any advice for people just getting started? Start slowly, scale appropriately. Focus on technique and consistency before you push time and weight.

What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? Spending as much time as possible with my wife and kids.

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Tuesday's Workout (NO CAP)
Three rounds for time of:
500m row
21 AbMat sit ups (feet in butterfly, knees out, no anchor)
42 bicycles (2 count)
21 pull ups

... and coming Wednesday
Push or Split Jerk 3-3-3-3
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In 20-minutes, work up to a 1 RM Front Squat