Athlete of the Month
Casey Linch is our October 2024
Athlete of the Month
How long have you been a member at CrossFit Bound? What changes have you noticed in yourself physically, mentally, or emotionally since joining?
I have been a member Bound since July of 2022. Physically, I have seen plenty of changes in my physique, carrying more muscle and size than ever before. Mentally though, I have seen a huge change in how I attack my day, and have a willingness to attempt things that are out of my comfort zone. Starting my day at Bound puts me in the right head space for whatever is in front of me that particular day.
How has your experience at CrossFit Bound impacted your life outside the gym? (Work, personal life, etc.)
Definitely through connections I’ve made that extend outside the gym walls. I’m naturally introverted, so in previous experiences at the gym, I would throw headphones on, lift, and keep to myself. But through the atmosphere that exists at Bound, I’ve made some really cool connections with people over shared interests that exist outside of the gym.
Who at the gym inspires you the most, and why?
This is a hard one to narrow down, but I would say Jeb Buffington. His preparation, intensity, and accountability push you to be the best version of yourself when you’re in class with him. Jeb and I would share a bar in zero workouts, so it’d be incredibly easy for him to just do his own thing, yet he’s always pushing me to tap into another gear or to join him and get extra work in after class.
What does being a part of the CrossFit Bound community mean to you?
It’s something I take a lot of pride in. It become quickly clear to me through conversation and observation that a standard of excellence had been set at Bound, long before I ever arrived. Anytime I’m evaluating a different aspect of my life, I go back to the quote “if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” Through my time at Bound, I’ve learned that it’s the right room. It’s hard not to be motivated to be my best and give my best, every time I walk into class.
Describe your first class at CrossFit Bound. How did you feel during and after it?
I’d lifted consistently for years, and come from a background in athletics, so I thought I would walk in and crush. It was about halfway through the first workout, that I was quickly humbled by movements I’d never done at a pace that was at a higher tempo than I’d moved at in a while. But afterwards, I left motivated to figure it out so I could keep pace.
What’s something surprising about you that people at the gym might not know?
I don’t know if I have anything surprising, but for a living I oversee Leadership Development at NorthStar Church, and as the Pitching Coach at Allatoona High School
What are your top three most memorable moments or proudest achievements since starting CrossFit?
Two fond memories were hitting my first muscle up, and PR’ing on our 20 rep back squat. But the most memorable moment has to be the feeling that hit my body after doing the 50 Cal Bike for time this spring, and legitimately wondering if I was going to need to call someone to drive me home.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their CrossFit journey at CrossFit Bound?
Don’t check the app, and rather, make the choice to just be consistent. When you’re first starting, it’s really easy to check the workouts ahead of time, and skip the ones that involve movements or skills that aren’t yet in your wheelhouse. One of my favorite things about CrossFit is always having something to work on and refine. Make the decision early to be willing to fail, learn, and grow!
From where do you draw your inspiration and motivation to push through tough moments in workouts?
I read a book called ‘Getting to Neutral’, that has helped my headspace to just focus on the movement in front of me, rather than being overwhelmed at the entirety of the workout, or even what I have the rest of the day. But my motivation comes from a written agreement I made with my best friend. At each new chapter of life, I want to be able to look back and know that I am spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally a better person than I was the year before. I never want to ask a young man that I coach to do something I’m not willing or able to do myself. But most importantly, my wife and I are expecting our first child in December. Both of them deserve to get the best version of myself that can exist!
