Masters Regional Qualifiers are upon us, and resident badass Brad Prescott is representing CrossFit9. No better time to sit down and see what makes this featured athlete tick.
Q: Brad, how did you come to end up at CrossFit9?
A: I originally joined CrossFit 9 to follow my CrossFit Coach when he joined the staff here. As a competitor, I was immediately impressed by the quality programming and coaching at CrossFit 9 and how fit, enthusiastic, and caring the members are. It was clear to me that this was the right place for me to train.
CrossFit 9 blends everything I need: fitness, nutrition awareness, training, friendship, social responsibility, and mentoring at every level. It really is a community where you are constantly challenged to leave your comfort zone – at more than just a physical level.
When I coach, I feel gratified being able to help members, whether that be with a helpful tip, cue, or sharing my own experience.
Q: Toot your own horn for us! Tell us your proudest CrossFit accomplishments.
A: Over the past six years that I have been competing in CrossFit, I have consistently finished The CrossFit Open in the top 30 in my age group. Last year, I finished the Open ranked 28th worldwide and 3rd in the Southeast Region.
Q: When you’re not working out at CrossFit9, what’s your “real world” job?
A: I am an investigator with Veterans Affairs, where I help veterans and their families receive all of the benefits to which they are entitled by law. It is the best job in the world.
Q: What is one change you would like to make in the coming year?
A: Be a better listener. I think people appreciate someone who can listen and care about them.
Q: What is your top nutrition hack?
A: To encourage people to increase the “good fats” in their diet. The benefits are remarkable in terms of increased energy for all aspects of life.
Q: What is your best advice for a CrossFit9 newbie?
A: Be patient and attend sessions regularly! When you train regularly, you get better, simple as that. And it takes time to build skills, especially with the variety CF9 offers.
Q: One word to describe your “before” CrossFit9?
A: Limited.
Q: After?
A: Unlimited!
Q: What’s your favorite local eatery? Banyan Café on 9th Street. I like going to brunch after a scorching Saturday morning training session with other 9ers who enjoy sharing their experiences.
Q: If you could only eat one food for a year, what would it be? It would probably be an omelet with eggs, salsa, and guacamole (is that one thing?) and chase it with coffee.
Q: What is your six month goal?
A: To increase daily the intensity of my workouts. Intensity is where the magic comes from. The programming at CF9 is first class, but it’s up to each of us to put in the effort to achieve the gains.
Q: What sports did you play as a kid?
A: I played football, baseball, basketball and ran track as a youngster. My senior year in high school, 1972/73, we won the state championship in football.
Q: What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
A: I am a combat veteran of the 3rd Armored Division who served in The Persian Gulf War.
Q: How did you get started in CrossFit?
A: It’s a family affair! My daughter Angela was an athlete at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO in high school. She introduced me to CrossFit and I drank the kool-aid. Training CrossFit style with my daughter and my son is a lot of fun.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: If I could travel anywhere in the world, other than living here in Florida, I would love to spend time in Switzerland. Between Florida and Switzerland there is a splendid mix of climate, culture, food and activities that appeals to me greatly. Gemutlichkeit!
(Brad adds: Gemütlichkeit refers to a feeling of cosiness, contentedness, comfort and relaxation. It is difficult to translate using one word because it refers to a specific kind of feeling and situation that the words ‘cosy’ or ‘comfortable’ are too simple for. For example: A soft chair in a coffee shop might be considered ‘cosy’. But sit in that chair surrounded by close friends and a hot cup of tea, while soft music plays in the background, and that sort of scene is what you’d call gemütlich.)
Ready to take this to the next level? Let’s go!