March 2024
GET TO KNOW MATT’S SUCCESS STORY AT FIT2LIVE BELOW!
This month’s spotlight is on the super consistent, hard working, and ultra friendly F2L’er Matt Innes.
Matt started his Fit2Live journey in November of 2021.
When Matt first joined Fit2Live he was mostly using running as his main form of exercise.
In his 2.5 years at Fit2Live he has gained plenty of muscle and functional fitness to balance out his now casual running routine.
Matt is a regular in the 6am morning crew and most weeks we can’t keep him away from the gym, often coming in 5-6 times a week.
His consistency in class is impressive and has been rewarded with a newly minted 500 class club T-shirt, way to go Matt!
He also has a pretty impressive streak of 15 straight months in the committed club (that’s 20 classes in a month, for 15 months!)
Matt is a blast to have in class and is one of the friendliest people you’ll meet.
He’s almost as friendly as his wife Keri (our member of the month for November of 2021, coincidentally the month Matt joined Fit2Live).
For these reasons and many more, Matt has been chosen as our member of the month for March of 2024!
Tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, what you do outside of Fit2Live, family, hobbies, etc.
I have lived in Southeast Michigan all my life: Canton, Northville/Novi, Yspi, Belleville and Ann Arbor. As kid, I largely played soccer before switching to basketball in high school. After graduating from UM with a computer engineering degree, I worked for a startup software company downtown A2 before being recruited to Parke-Davis (now Pfizer) for a brief stretch and eventually landing at UM’s Rogel Cancer Center supporting clinical research. I’ve been there for 20+ years now. The first decade on the IT side before switching to serve as the Administrative Director. As a pretty solid introvert, I never would have envisioned leading such a large group of people. Over that time as well, Keri has joined the department to lead our lab unit. About 8 years ago, she and one of her staff convinced me to join them in running an ultramarathon called Gnaw Bone. I’ve never done a race before, but spending the day outdoors sounded fun and plunged into a “Couch to 50k” training plan. I’ve only run a few more long races since then, but Keri says I’m officially a runner. To me, it’s one of many hobbies that gets me outdoors along with gardening, camping, hiking, etc. I’m delighted to have a partner who enjoys and encourages exploring nature wherever we go.
When and why did you get started at Fit2Live? What keeps you coming back, other than your awesome wife Keri?
In the past, I have tried some of the video programs (P90x, etc), but have never really been one to exercise for exercise sake and enjoyed staying fit just in the course of playing… pickup basketball, indoor soccer, etc.
In the summer of 2021, Keri signed up to help rebuild her strength after cancer treatment. I admittedly had misconceptions about CrossFit being for “ordinary” people, but all that changed with my first real exposure when she participated in Fall Brawl. I experienced the amazing community – one which cheers on the last team to finish as much, if not more, than the first team to finish; one which focuses on fitness without taking it too seriously and forgetting to play. That is what keeps me coming back… as a 6AMer, I get to start each day playing with friends before the seriousness of the day takes over.
What is your fondest memory at Fit2Live thus far?
My first Fall Brawl after joining and getting the chance to partner with Keri as the Highlander and Islander.
Before joining Fit2Live you were mostly a runner, how has joining Fit2Live helped with your running routine or how has your running routine changed/been adapted?
My fitness journey seems more defined by phases of activity: pickup basketball, then fitness videos, etc. Running was the phase prior to CrossFit, so the routine of running has faded since joining and only getting out on an occasion. That said, last summer I set my fastest mile time ever due to adding strength in my legs.
What is a fun fact or hobby that you have that someone might not know about you?
One “fun” fact, I was bitten by a brown recluse spider requiring a week of IV antibiotics to fight off the flesh eating poison. I thankfully retained my arm, yet it did not result in any super powers nor a natural ability to do spider crawls… worst “animal” ever.
If you could travel to any place in the world tomorrow, where would you go and what would you do?
There are plenty of places I’d consider returning to: the highlands of Scotland, Muir Woods, etc., but I like new adventures and would probably check out the forests in New Zealand and Australia.
If you could make the workout “Matt”, what would it look like (movements, repetitions, etc)?
It would definitely be a crazy cardio/gymnastics workout for time:
1000m bike
3 Rounds:
9 pushups
8 situps
7 air squats
6 wall balls
30s rest
500m row
2 Rounds:
4 kipping pullups
3 muscle ups
30s rest
200m run
1 rope climb to finish at the top
Favorites!
Movie: Princess Bride and any underdog story
TV Show: Star Trek:TNG; Castle; Ted Lasso
Song: Can’t pick just one, but have been enjoying lots of good foot stomping scottish folk music of late.
Book: Sherlock Holmes
Quote: “Perfection is the enemy of progress.” – Winston Churchill
What daily habit has changed your life for the better?
Learning to love the foam roller and accepting I need a warm-up even before the warm-up.
What future fitness goal are you currently working towards?
I’d love to get a strict muscle up.
THANKS FOR BEING AWESOME MATT! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AT FIT2LIVE!
NEXT UP: RACHEL AND CHRIS BERGMANS- MEMBERS OF THE MONTH FEBRUARY 2024!
