Blog
CrossFit Athletes: What makes SA’s best male athletes tick?
Mar
Recently The Box Community caught up with arguably three of the strongest male CrossFit athletes in South Australia to see what makes them tick. It was great to get an insight into their lives and their beliefs about CrossFit. It was also reassuring to know that they are actually human and have similar feelings towards the sport just like the average CrossFitter. We would like to thank the boys for their time and honest answers and it’s great to see they enjoy helping out the CrossFit community. So sit back, enjoy and don’t forget to follow the guys on Instagram.
Name: James Newbury
Instagram: @jamesnewbury
Age: 25
Date you started CrossFit: 20 January 2011
Box you train at: CrossFit mode and CrossFit beach mode
Sponsors: The Wod Life, Prana, SMAI, Chique iv nutrient therapy, Garmin and Rebel coffee
Regionals / Open appearances and placings:
2012 open 47th, 2012 regionals 9th,
2013 open 10th, 2013 regionals 11th,
2014 open 9th, 2014 regionals 4th,
2015 open 23rd, 2015 regionals 13th.
What is your sporting background?
Rugby league
Why did you start CrossFit?
To help with strength and conditioning for rugby. Then I fell in love with it!
What have been the main reasons why you stayed?
The competition, the training and the community.
What’s your favourite aspect about CrossFit?
The community it attracts. All around a great bunch of people.
Which athlete inspires you the most? (CrossFit or other)
Is have to say Rich Froning. It’s pretty unbelievable what that man had been capable of. It’s out of this world.
What’s your favourite post WOD meal?
Post wod I love a smoothie consisting of goats milk, prana natural mass banana, organic maple and a tsp of raw cacao.
What’s your favourite cheat meal?
About as bad as it gets is pancakes or gluten free french toast with bacon and maple.
In your opinion what does it take to become a CrossFit athlete?
It requires natural athletic ability, ridiculous amount of dedication, love of training, a great team around you at all time and be prepared to enter the pain cave everyday!
Advice for the everyday CrossFitter?
Enjoy your training! Do it for your own reasons and enjoy the moment when you are in that dark place. It’s about being healthy and happy and having fun.
What are your goals for 2016 and beyond?
In 2016 I’m setting my sights on making it to Carson as a competitor. After being there in 2015 as a spectator it makes me want to be on the floor so bad. More than ever! ! I’ll give it everything I have. I think if I make it i’ll want to return multiple times.
Name: Sam Joraslafsky
Instagram: @sam_joraslafsky
Age: 34
Date you started CrossFit: August 2009
Box you train at: Owner/Head Coach/ train at CrossFit Loaded
Regionals / Open appearances and placings:
2010- SA/WA/NT Sectionals 12th
2011- Regionals 14th (Individual), Open 15th
2012- Regionals 15th (Individual), Open 54th
2013- Open 62nd
2014- Regionals 11th (Team), Open 48th, declined Individual invitation.
2015- Regionals 7th (Team), Open ?? Injured
What is your sporting background?
Australian Rules Football
Why did you start CrossFit?
A mate introduced me to it, he was adamant I give it a go. I started with Ash Yates in his backyard, before he went on to open CrossFit Tenacity. There was quite a crew working out in his garage back then, a few heads that are still CrossFitting today.
What have been the main reasons why you stayed?
A relentless drive to get better.
CrossFit became my job, my sport and a huge part of my life.
It works! It’s so obvious now that this is what we all should be doing, and I want to do my part to make sure as many people as possible have the opportunity to benefit from CrossFit like I have.
What’s your favourite aspect about CrossFit?
That everybody who commits to the program gets so much out of it.
Which athlete inspires you the most? (CrossFit or other)
Michael Jordan
What’s your favourite post WOD meal?
Straight after training I have a banana, FitAid and Recov.
An hour or so later, I like to eat a curry from the Fleurieu Pantry.
What’s your favourite cheat meal?
Lucky Lupita’s, beef quesadilla and chipotle burger with cheese and chips.
In your opinion what does it take to become a CrossFit athlete?
To become a top level CrossFitter you need a relentless work ethic, good genetics and have a Coach working with you that knows what it takes to get there and keep you there.
Advice for the everyday CrossFitter?
Don’t take it too seriously. Push yourself day in-day out, that’s what it’s about. When you leave the gym, leave it all there.
What are your goals for 2016 and beyond?
Qualify a Loaded Team for the 2016 Regionals, for a chance to qualify for the CrossFit Games.
Name: John Delorenzo (JD)
Instagram: @crossfitfallen
Age: 32
Date you started CrossFit: 2013 (properly)
Box you train at: CrossFit FALLEN (and co-own it)
Sponsors: The Box Community
Regionals / Open appearances and placings:
2015 – 60th in the opens Asia Pacific region
What is your sporting background?
Aussie Rules
Why did you start CrossFit?
Loved lifting but also loved cardio and it seemed to combine the two.
What have been the main reasons why you stayed?
It’s never boring and its fun training with your mates.
What’s your favourite aspect about CrossFit?
The box community
Which athlete inspires you the most? (CrossFit or other)
Believe it or not it’s usually my members. The ones that have started off not being able to squat parallel and can now do pistols. Also John Pera (Games Athlete) who has a full time job, runs a box, has 3 kids and still manages to train full time.
What’s your favourite post WOD meal?
Burgers
What’s your favourite cheat meal?
Burgers (Chuck wagon)
In your opinion what does it take to become a CrossFit athlete?
Commitment, never losing sight of the bigger picture and doing shit you don’t like doing.
Advice for the everyday CrossFitter?
It’s a long journey but one day it will all come together. Just trust in your trainers and yourself.
What are your goals for 2016 and beyond?
Not get injured and aim to qualify for regionals. 2016 might have a few changes so will have to wait and see…
