December 2022 Athlete of the Month
December 2022 Athlete of the Month
Diego Soberon
Coach’s Thoughts: Diego, congratulations on becoming the December 2022 Athlete of the Month. You are always positive and hard working everyday at CCF. Understanding limitations and expectations is difficult to do within the CrossFit community but you have mastered it. Diego works extra hard especially near the end of the week so he can indulge in Coney Dogs and Burgers from some of his favorite staples here in Detroit. Keep up the hard work!!!
How long have you been doing CrossFit?
My brother invited me to join him some years ago. I loved training with him, it was a great way of bonding. I started on the right foot learning that having fun and sharing workouts with your friends, coaches and community is the best part of it. I did 5 years first, then I paused due to a lot of business trips and now it's been 8 months since I restarted at CCF and I cannot be happier.
Favorite Movement?
It's a combo: running followed by the next movement whichever it is. Running is a familiar territory that allows me to find my pace, catch my breath and relax the mind a little. As I head back and get closer to the box, I start feeling the adrenaline pumping and ready to hit whatever challenge is in front of me: burpees, rope climbs, double-unders, wall balls, you name it*.
*Exceptions might apply lol.
What advice would you give to someone who is hesitant to start CrossFit?
You are always one workout away from a good mood. The benefits go beyond the physical body. You clear your mind, you become more confident since every day you get a sense of achievement after completing the WOD. You learn to approach life in the same way you approach a WOD, enthusiastically, with energy, with power, happy and ready for the challenge.
The strategy on the first months: take it easy and be consistent so that you find a flow. I preferred not to check the WODs online before arriving to the box for the first two months. It's better to just show up knowing that you can always scale down, there is no point on suffering (much). But the best advice, always, is have fun, enjoy it!
Favorite thing about CCF?
I love that the values of humble, happy and hungry are really alive. Being humble is one of the best values to have in a CrossFit gym, it sets the right mood and encourages people to try their best, to not be shy and feel proud on their path. It doesn't matter how hard your day at work is, how grumpy or tired you are, a WOD at CCF resets you. The program is absolutely fantastic, it is very balanced. The coaches are amazing because they help you on your motivation and go beyond just giving instructions. At CCF I feel that I am surrounded by people that truly care about each other's well-being. Just being there surrounded by kind, friendly, healthy and energetic people is sufficient to make a positive change in you without you noticing it.
What do you do when you’re not at CCF (job, hobbies, other fitness, etc)?
I love reading books and travelling. Here's a quote from Moby Dick for approaching WODs:
"I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing" and another one “I try all things, I achieve what I can.”
I also love doing triathlons and mountain cycling, but CrossFit has all my attention now.
What is your next big fitness goal?
I didn't have a specific fitness goal until now. Since I was selected as athlete of the month, I feel more motivated than ever and unstoppable so I have just committed to myself to run marathon and two triathlons on 2024.
