Q1. What have been your greatest successes (physically, mentally or emotionally) since you began? How does your body feel now compared to when you started and WHY?

My greatest success since I joined CrossFit DNR was that I achieved my goal of becoming a better overall athlete. I started CrossFit because I wanted to experience the maximum level of fitness that my body can achieve, and since I joined CrossFit DNR I was able to improve my level of fitness in every aspect and still continue to do so. When I first started CrossFit, my body could barely handle the workouts we do at the gym although I use to scale most of the workouts. Now I often go to the elite class and sometimes add an extra workout just to feel satisfied and then wake up the next morning ready to go again.

Q2. How has your life changed since starting CrossFit training? Has CrossFit transferred over into any other areas of your life?

I believe that CrossFit is a highly mental type of training, you need to train your mind to force your body to do stuff beyond your body’s will. My whole life I’ve been an active person and enjoy all kinds of sports, but I never realized the work you have to put in to be considered an athlete. Since I started CrossFit, I have learned that you have to go beyond your comfort zone to call it a real workout, way beyond, you have to embrace the suck and try to push your self to your limits in order to improve and acquire pleasant results. This was in fact a life lesson for me. I now know that I am capable of achieving anything but I will have to push my self and embrace the suck along the way to achieve what I want, the route might not be fun, but the results are definitely going to be worth it. .

Q3. What are the advantages of CrossFit style training compared to your previous workout styles?

Unlike any other type of training CrossFit training is a well-rounded type of training that is aimed to improve strength, endurance, power, speed, mobility and balance. My previous types of workouts were usually only focused on one of these aspects, so when I started lifting weights at the gym to improve strength and get bigger, I lost some of my cardiovascular and stamina abilities. CrossFit training made it possible to have it all at the same time.

Q4. What advice can you give to others?

My advice to everyone who is trying to be fitter is to get out of your comfort zone and push yourself to your limit every time, because that is the only way you are going to improve!

Athlete Specific Q. 1) It’s pretty well known that body weight/gymnastic movements are your jam, but would you rather win the workout “Murphy” or a 1 RM snatch at the CrossFit Games and why? 2) How would you compare your training experiences in the US versus back home in Oman?

1. Although it would be super sick if I could snatch 300+ pounds, I would rather win the Murphy workout. Being able to snatch that heavy weight requires extreme strength, which is really badass. But winning “Murphy” requires endurance, speed, mobility, strength and power. In other words, winning a highly functional workout like “Murphy” requires you to be a more functional and fitter athlete.
2. My first CrossFit experience back in Oman only lasted for about 3 weeks, so it was relatively short compared to my experience here in the US. But I could say that the coaches here are more experienced and made me get more into CrossFit. The coaches at CrossFit DNR are not only awesome and fun, but they give good attention to all the athletes and are always available to help and assist me with anything, which made my experience here at CrossFit DNR a really enjoyable and valuable one.