BTSCF Newsletter - March 2020
This month was certainly a different experience, but we are CrossFitters. We learn, improvise, adapt, and then we overcome. Here’s what’s been going on at (and away from) Burn the Ships CrossFit this month.
BTSCF WOD From Home
Due to the COVID-19 mandates, Burn the Ships CrossFit has opted to close our doors for the safety of our staff, members, and to do our part to help the community around us flatten the curve. For details and updates on the closure, please click here.
To help keep our athletes moving, we have done a few things:
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We have updated our programming to offer workouts that our athletes can do at home with minimal or no equipment required.
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We have also hosted daily live workouts led by one of our trainers within our member group on Facebook. If you are not in the member group, please reach out to us so we can help you join.
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We made our gym equipment available to our athletes to sign out to keep at home for their own use while we are closed.
We cannot begin to express how proud we are of our athletes for continuing to work hard despite the circumstances being tipped out of their favor.
The 800g Challenge
Sunday March 29 marked the end of our 800g Nutrition Challenge. Our athletes were tasked with consuming a total of 800 grams of fruits and vegetables each day. They were encouraged to consume diversity as well, needing at least 6 different types of fruits and/or vegetables each day. There was also a different themed bonus each week. Of course points were also awarded for working out.
The points are being calculated with our athletes still able to enter daily scores through the end of the day March 30.
Stay tuned for next month’s newsletter to find out who won.
February PR’s
Our athletes put in the work. They get results.
Johnny M. - 305 lb. Back Squat, 225 lb. Bench Press
Jon H. - 50 DU’s, 205 lb. Clean
Becky - 120 lb. Hang Squat Clean, 36” Box Jump
Walt - Bar Muscle Ups x 2
Bonnie - 30” Box Jump
Regi - 275 lb. Back Squat, 195 lb. Bench Press
Jeanne - 95 lb. Hang Squat Clean, 4 minute Plank
Kristine - 85 lb. Bench Press
Mike S. - 4:19 Fran
Shawn - 350 lb. Back Squat
Trish - 115 lb. Hang Squat Clean
Jess F. - 275 lb. Deadlift, 175 lb. Back Squat, 125 lb. Bench Press
Heather - 155 lb. Hang Clean, 210 lb. Back Squat, 125 lb. Bench Press, Bar Muscle Up, 36” Box Jump
Addy - 225 lb. Bench Press, 150 lb. Snatch, 315 lb. Back Squat
Paulie - 185 lb. Hang Squat Clean
Cathy - 105 lb. Bench Press
Nicky - 125 lb. Squat Clean, 120 lb. Push Jerk
John G. - 155 lb. Hang Power Clean
BTSCF Feature Athlete
Meet Jimmy McCooey: Becoming My Best Self
When did you start CrossFitting?
April 2018
What brought you to CrossFit?
I was looking for something new. I had done bodybuilding workouts, body weight workouts, BJJ/MMA workouts, and strongman workouts. I was just looking for something that was different that I could be consistent with. My wife, Carol, did the introductory workouts and thought that it was something that I would really enjoy, she was right.
What have you learned from doing CrossFit?
I have learned that I can push myself further than I thought was possible. I have done workouts that , in the past, I would have never seen myself completing.
What would you say to someone who is on the fence about starting CrossFit?
Just try it. I listened to all the naysayers. I believed all the negative things about CrossFit. I wish I hadn't, otherwise I would have tried it sooner.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I don't have much free time. Between my regular job, owning a small business (exotic pet store), and all the animals we have at home, there isn't much time for anything else. When we do have time, we like to hike, kayak, and spend time with friends and family.
What do you do for work and how has CrossFit impacted how you do your job?
I am a Detective Sergeant with the New Jersey State Police. Although my current position doesn't have me interacting with the public often, being able to respond/react in a moments notice is always a possibility. I posted last summer, about working a bike detail where I responded to a fight in progress. I was passing cars and arrived way before my partner (who was significantly younger), and still had enough "gas" to handle the situation once we arrived. Many fighters say that there greatest weapon is conditioning, and I would have to agree. If you can outlast your opponent, you have an advantage. Any police officer, fire fighter, or corrections officer will tell you, the number one goal, everyday, is to go home at the end of your shift.
Lightning Round
Q: What super power would you give yourself?
A: Super Strength (this was a toss up with flight, I have always wanted to fly)
Q: What's your favorite healthy food?
A: Grilled chicken
Q: What's your favorite not so healthy food?
A: This may not be considered by some to be food, but Beer.
Q: What TV Sitcom family or group would you be a member of?
A: Cheers
Q: If you were famous, what would you be famous for?
A: Being a philanthropist. Although my job has made me cynical, I often find myself helping others whenever I can, and if I were to ever win the lottery, my dreams are always to help people and animals.
Q: If you could write your own fortune cookie fortune, what would it say?
A: I actually got this fortune cookie once before, "Never quit"
Q: If you were a professional wrestler, what would you finishing move be called?
A: Just because of my height, I am going to go with the Elevator Drop
Q: Who do you look up to for inspiration at BTSCF?
A: Everyone. There are so many for so many reasons. Melissa N. for her consistency, Jon T. for his brute strength, Kevin M. for his "engine", Larry for proof that age is just a number, Mac to show how much can be accomplished in a relatively short period of time, and so many more for various reasons. There are new people, like Joe C.or Justin K. who I look at and see myself 2 years ago, and hope that they get hooked like I did, and keep at it. I really miss Hans, because we started around the same time and I used to try to keep up with him, as a way to judge my progress. I don't like singling out certain individuals because everyone who walks through the door has been an inspiration to me for one reason or another.
Jim exemplifies the qualities we have come to hope all our athletes have or aspire to have: humble, hard working and the ability to temper ones effort. He comes consistently and does not let ego make decisions for him. He chooses the appropriate stimulus for each workout and pays particular attention to his form. He moves tremendously for a guy his age and is a great model for others to follow. Happy to have him as one of the family. Mike Simmons, BTSCF Owner
Q: What is your favorite and least favorite movement?
A: Favorite is probably deadlifts. Least favorite is burpees, but I have been working on improving them. Still not my favorite, but trying to get better at them.
Q: What is the one thing you've done at BTSCF that your old self wouldn't ever believe?
A: Walking through the door. As I previously mentioned, I bought into all of the negative things out there about CrossFit. "It's dangerous, you'll get hurt, anyone can be a coach just by paying the fee and spending the weekend at a seminar, etc". I have found BTS to be the opposite of all of that. BTS places a lot of emphasis on proper warm up, proper technique, scaling, cool down, stretching and post WOD recovery. I really wish I had started this sooner.
BTSCF Feature Athlete Jim McCooey with fellow BTSCF Athletes.
There is one other aspect about BTS that I feel I need to mention. As I mentioned, my job tends to make me cynical. In general, I tend to not like people. Because of the things that I have seen and experienced, my circle of people that I love and trust tends to be small. BTS has changed that for me. I feel like BTS has expanded my "circle" and become an extended family. BTS has not only made me better physically, it has made me a better person, in general.