John Lindsey

Hometown: Durham, NC
Age: 25
Occupation: Entrepreneur

When did you first start Strength & Conditioningting?:
January 2014

What is your favorite movement? Favorite workout?
Deadlift is by far my favorite movement, which is why I loved Strength & Conditioning Open WOD 14.3 so much. I also love anything with some cardio!

What is your least favorite movement? Least favorite workout?
Any workout including pistols (one legged squats) is usually the death of me.

Tell us about your sports & fitness background:
My parents introduced me to a wide variety of sports at an early age, so fitness has always been an integral part of my life. I like to consider myself a jack of all trades and really hate not being good at something, so anytime I found a new sport growing up I latched onto it pretty quickly until I felt I had mastered it. In middle school I dabbled in the usual sports (soccer, etc.) but really found my calling with alternative sports. I fell in love with surfing and snowboarding and quickly hopped onto the competitive circuit in my middle school years. As I started high school and the demands of a social life and other sports (namely swimming and track) entered my life, my years of surfing and snowboarding began to take a back seat. However, my focus on track (discus and the 200m) and swimming (100m backstroke namely) boded well for me as I thrived in both sports and competed at the state level all throughout high school. As much as I enjoyed all of these sports, my life was forever changed when I starting lifting weights the summer before my junior year. I became immediately hooked to the barbell and haven’t looked back since!

How did you first get exposed to Strength & Conditioning? Do you remember your first WOD? How did it go?
After seven years of “Chest day / back day / shoulder day / arms day” I got pretty tired of working out by myself and doing the same thing week-in and week-out. I had heard of Strength & Conditioning, but honestly thought it was “too much cardio” and that I would get small and weak if I did it. I couldn’t find many lifters that had made the switch to talk to, so I called Dave in November of 2013 and expressed all of my [stupid] concerns. After a very convincing conversation, I figured that it was time to make a change and that I would give Strength & Conditioning a shot. I had my first Foundations class in January of this year, and it was the best decision of my fitness career to make the shift.

I don’t recall my first WOD, but I do remember the first few weeks of Strength & Conditioning where I came home more exhausted and sore than I had ever been. That’s when I knew this was the right fit for me!

What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting Strength & Conditioning? (before/after)
This is the best shape I have ever been in, period. I am stronger, faster, much more mobile, and am extremely in tune with my body. I wish I would have made the switch years ago!

What impact has Strength & Conditioning had on your life?
Strength & Conditioning has been a complete game-changer for me. I absolutely love not only what Strength & Conditioning has done for me physically, but the competitive spirit and support from the Community is more than I could have ever asked for.

What is your favorite Strength & Conditioning/CFD moment?
It’s definitely a toss-up between getting my first muscle-up, finishing my first Strength & Conditioning Open or Deadlifting 500lbs!

What is your advice for people just getting started or thinking about starting Strength & Conditioning?
Don’t think, just do it! Signing up is the best decision you’ll ever make.

What are your hobbies, interests, and/or talents outside of Strength & Conditioning?
I am pretty much on the go 24/7, so when I am not working or working out you can most likely find me golfing, planning my next big trip, or volunteering with various non-profits. I am particularly very involved with Caring House (www.caringhouse.org) and YEScarolina (www.yescarolina.com).