April Member of the Month: John Rotatori

April’s Member of the Month goes to John Rotatori, we have been so impressed with his dedication to CFTC over the past 14 months that he’s been with us. He has made some of the most dramatic progress of anyone in the box, losing over 80lbs in just 10 months. John is not the same person now as he was when he first joined, he is fitter, stronger and much more confident. We are honored to be part of his journey and cannot wait to see what the future holds for him!

How long have you been at CFTC?
I just had my one year anniversary at CFTC in February 2014

Why did you decide to join?
One of my best friends, Meghan, had been trying to convince me try Crossfit for a while. It wasn’t until I saw a photo of myself at from a football game that made me realize I had to get my shit together. That week, I asked Meghan what day she was going to CFTC so I could tag along. 

What was your first day of On Ramp like?
My schedule has always been crazy and I wasn’t able to attend the formal On Ramp. Scott adjusted his schedule and allowed me to do a one on one On Ramp during class hours. The thing I remember most about On Ramp is being intimidated watching the full class workout. I kept thinking, how am I ever going to get to a point that these guys are at and be able to hold my own in the main class?

When did you know that CFTC was for you?
Memorial Day Murph was the day I knew this was the box for me. I was able to notice how grueling the work out was for even for the most seasoned athletes. The moment that solidified it for me was when nearly all the athletes had completed the workout, and a few were finishing their final run, the entire group joined together to run alongside the last athlete to finish. That sense of community was nothing I had ever experienced before and was so honored to be a part of.

What has been your greatest achievement since you started?
Without a doubt, my 83lbs lost in ten months. I started my first Paleo challenge in June of 2013 and haven’t looked back. One of the many goals CFTC has helped me strive for is to reach a 100lb weight loss in a single year. As long as the Box is open, I have complete confidence that I can reach every goal I set for myself.

How has CrossFit changed your life?
CrossFit has empowered me not only in the Box, but in my everyday life.  It has provided me with the ability to challenge myself constantly.  It’s in confronting these challenges and succeeding that my confidence has grown and I feel like I’ve become a better person.  The frame of mind that Crossfit helps me achieve allows me to make advances by leaps and bounds in my everyday life.

What words of encouragement would you give a newbie or someone hesitant to try CrossFit?
The one thing that stuck with me from day one is what Coach Scott told me on my first day of CrossFit, “All you have to do is show up; we’ll take care of the rest”.  The Coaches at Crossfit Tri County will help you make and reach many of your goals, not only in the Box, but in life, and all you have to do is show up. Thank you Scott, Ashley, Mark, Annette, John, Jay, and my entire CFTC family. I couldn’t have done it without you! WOOP WOOP