October 29, 2011 in Blog, Member Profiles by Turbo
October 2011 Member of the Month: Maxim Greenwood
The CrossFit Winnipeg member of the month for October 2011 is Max Greenwood. I don’t know many people who work as hard as he does, let alone people in their 60′s. Max is a runner turned CrossFitter and will be happy to tell you about his “conversion”. Max is always smiling, no matter what we are doing, he always brings positive energy to the group. What is so special about Max is that he has an unassuming and patient wisdom that recognizes what others around him need at any given time. It’s a smile here or a few kind words there, seemingly random, but always when you need it the most. Max, it seems like you are always thanking CFW, but it’s time we repay the favour: Thanks Max!
Age: 64
Height: 5’10″
Weight: 155
Started On Ramp: Feb, 2011.
Favourite Exercise/Workout: Pull ups. Don’t ask me why. I haven’t a clue. I just like them. They make some sort of symmetrical sense to me.
Least Favourite Exercise/Workout: Tire flips. I’m not very big and I’m not very strong yet. I don’t think there’s a part of my body that doesn’t hurt during and days after tire flips.
Tell us something interesting or surprising about yourself? I worked as a bush pilot all over the Yukon Territory, sometimes making trips into Alaska, N.W.T. and B.C.
What is your favourite hobby, pastime or sport? Favourite sport is Crossfit; favourite pastime is reading (when there’s no Bomber game on); my vocation for the last 35 years has been working with alcoholics and addicts.
What were you doing before CrossFit? I ran 40 miles a week, outside, for three years.
How did you find out about CrossFit Winnipeg? Fall, 2010 I met a Crossfit enthusiast in their 50′s and they were so trim, fit and happy that I decided to try the free class. And here I am.
What changes have you seen in yourself or your life since joining CrossFit Winnipeg? I am faster, more flexible and stronger than I was 20 years ago. I didn’t think it would show but I saw a friend of mine at a meeting who I hadn’t seen me in 9 months. Later he said: “What did you do? I didn’t recognize you until you opened you mouth and spoke! You look great.” I had forgotten the changes I had undergone in silhouette, posture, weight-change and muscle tone.
Do you have any special memorable CrossFit Winnipeg moments? Not doing a dead lift in 3 months and seeing my PR go up 45 pounds; or a thruster in 4 months and seeing my PR go up 60 pounds. That’s a palpable increase in strength at an age where strength increase is not easily come by.
What advice would you give to a newbie or someone just joining CrossFit Winnipeg? I have advice for people in their 60′s like me. Older muscles are relatively dry and brittle, so try to drink at least 3-5 litres of fluid per day. Also, older muscles injure relatively easily and heal relatively slowly, so sometimes it is wise to lift 40% of PR during a WOD even if younger athletes are lifting 60% Control your own workout and go for slow, steady, safe improvement.
What is your biggest accomplishment at CrossFit Winnipeg? Intangible:: Lengthened telomeres. Readers will have to Google that if they don’t know about telomeres and intense physical exercise. In simplest words, your life lengthens. No scientist has yet put an upper limit on how much your life lengthens by. Telomeres were only discovered by Nobel Chemistry Laureates 2 years ago. Tangible:: I am fitter. I am healthier. I am happier.
13 Comments to “October 2011 Member of the Month: Maxim Greenwood”
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October 29, 2011 at 3:55 pm
You ttly ROCK it Max!!!! Your positive energy is always appreciated…
October 29, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Way to go Maxim! You are awesome.
October 29, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Great stuff Max!
October 29, 2011 at 7:10 pm
Way to go Max! Awesome profile. It’s always great to walk into CFW and see your friendly smiling face!
October 29, 2011 at 7:50 pm
You guys are the best. It’s a thrill for me to be in the gym with such amazing athletes. My friends my age are very happy for me but the thought of actually coming to CFW is still very intimidating. But they do realize that my coming here is one of the most exciting things going on in my life and they are becoming increasingly tempted by my changing silhouette and muscle tone. Maybe, someday soon…
I hope so anyway. There is nothing that I could wish for them that would so improve and lengthen their lives.
October 29, 2011 at 8:57 pm
Maxim, Was so great meeting you in onramp last Feb/March. I was so happy to NOT be the oldest one there. Our paths don”t cross often since then with you being a “morning” person but the few times I have seen you it is obvious you have transformed. Congrats on all you’ve accomplished. Keep it up. I watch for your name on the board and chase you.
October 29, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Inspiring! High five Max!
October 29, 2011 at 10:39 pm
max you always make me smile when i see you! awesome job!
October 30, 2011 at 9:44 am
Awesome profile Max! I absolutley aspire to be YOU in the years to come… fit & fabulous, with lengthened telomeres.
October 31, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Good job Max! I miss you at 7 a.m. It was always fun working out with you and your positive energy!
November 1, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Here’s a sort of lay summary of a telomere-exercise study. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/phys-ed-how-exercising-keeps-your-cells-young/. The presence of telomeres has been known since the ’70s, but the link with exercise was only recently discovered. For the more scientifically inclined – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20064545. There are lots more articles on PubMed if you do a search. It’s interesting stuff!
November 1, 2011 at 4:24 pm
@Colin
Great articles Colin! I hadn’t read these two.
Vigorous exercise definitely doesn’t apply to ‘jogging’ 50 miles per week, never breathing deeply. Vigorous exercise demands high VO2 max. Crossfit is pretty much a recipe for high VO2 max.
November 24, 2011 at 1:36 pm
I liked you the first time I met you Max and even more now after reading your profile. You are inspiring!!!