Jimmy Keegan

Hometown: Detroit, MI
Age: 32
Occupation: Marketing Manager-The Brokerage Resource

When did you first start Strength & Conditioningting?
May 2012

What is your favorite movement? Favorite workout?
My favorite movement is the deadlift. I love the deadlift because; 1) I am better and stronger at this movement than other weight training movements, 2) I love that your entire body is “engaged” when performing a proper deadlift, 3) It is a total body workout. My favorite workouts are long endurance/chipper workouts that involve either running or rowing long distances. I love to get the heartrate up and the sweat dripping off of my chin!

What is your least favorite movement? Least favorite workout?
Overhead squats. My mobility prevents me form performing an overhead squat without be very uncomfortable. They are uncomfortable to perform and I am jealous of those that can knock these out in a WOD without cussing up a storm.

Tell us about your sports & fitness background:
Since as far back as I can remember I was on the sporting field/court/course. In high school I played Varsity Baseball, and was captain of the Golf team. I volunteered as basketball coach for fifth and sixth graders, and also ran the local tee-ball program. Sports was always a big part of my life.

When college came along, I fell out of fitness and into a lifestyle filled with partying and extremely caloric food consumption. When I graduated college I weighed 248 pounds and “ran” a nine minute mile. When I decided that it was time for a change, I threw all of my belongings in my pickup truck, moved to Bozeman, MT, and became immediately aware that the town was full of extremely healthy people. I got my butt in gear, ate healthier, hiked mountains, waded streams, jogged on trails and got back in shape. Over a three year span I lost about eighty pounds and was able to pace a 4 mile run at 6.5 minute miles. A couple of years later I met a girl (now my beautiful wife and a Strength & Conditioning bad ass) who introduced me to Strength & Conditioning and had me join our local Strength & Conditioning affiliate in Bozeman.

How did you first get exposed to Strength & Conditioning? Do you remember your first WOD? How did it go?
As mentioned earlier, my wife introduced me to Strength & Conditioning early on in our relationship. I had been working out at a local non-Strength & Conditioning gym where my daily regiment was to run three miles on a treadmill and follow a weightlifting program that a buddy gave me. I will never forget my first WOD because it was “Filthy 50” and it was amazingly awful! I was very impressed with the ability that the body has to keep pushing on, even when you are on the verge of quitting or crying or getting sick, you can mentally press on.

What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting Strength & Conditioning? (before/after)
Strength & Conditioning has allowed me to build muscle and endurance, gain confidence in myself and in my body, and helps me live a healthy lifestyle. I am less prone to injury and my body recovers faster from muscle soreness.

What is your favorite Strength & Conditioning/CFD moment?
Seeing Chad Sanders take second place at the 2014 Carolina Fitness Challenge. Watching the CFD Community cheer the competitors on and seeing how it brought the gym together, made me really appreciative of the sport and of the awesome community that we have at CFD. Chad is a beast and I do Strength & Conditioning so that I can one day be as strong has him. “Holla!”

What is your advice for people just getting started or thinking about starting Strength & Conditioning?
Have fun, listen to your Coaches, don’t increase your weight until you have the proper form down, scale appropriately, don’t cheat (makes tracking your workouts easier and helps you see progression/advancements in your fitness and strength), always ask if you are not sure, and be proud that you are a Strength & Conditioningter.

What are your hobbies, interests, and/or talents outside of Strength & Conditioning?
When not at Strength & Conditioning or work, I love to spend time with Brennan Keegan, spend time with our two dogs, trout fish, hang out with the amazing people of Durham, travel, and talk about Strength & Conditioning.