Brian Shurko – Member of the Month

Weekend Schedule – We are hosting a Level 1 CrossFit Coaches Certification this weekend.  The box will be off limiits but we will be holding classes outdoors.  Meet at Mokley field, on Day Boulevard, at 9,10 and 11 on Saturday and 11 and 12 on Sunday for some fun in the sun!  Bring a friend along.  All other classes are cancelled, including the free intro.

Brian has been a mainstay at CFS since he stepped foot through the garage door just 5 months ago.  He can be found consistently coaching/encouraging other athletes around the box.  His humbleness, along with his dedication to his own training and to the success of others made him an obvious choice for our member of the month.

A few months back Brain was able to successfully convince his father, Papa Schwag, to join the Southie Squadron.  How cool is being able to WOD side by side with your dad?  Since coming aboard, Big Bri has lost a ton of weight, a ton of inches and made great strides in improving his health and fitness.  It must be in the Shurko blood!

The Shurko are the shit, nuff said.

Here’s more from the Champ…

Goose, Amy, and the rest of the CFS coaches,
First, thank you for nominating me as member of the month! When Goose informed me that I was the member of the month I was at first shocked – I wasn’t really sure why I was nominated and then extremely humbled. CrossFit Southie is full of amazing people who work hard everyday, check their egos at the door, and I believe most importantly truly care about each other. It is unlike any environment I have ever seen before – I feel very fortunate to be a part of this community.

1) How did you get involved in CrossFit? What was your first WOD/experience?
I got involved in Cross Fit because my best pal Nick DePrizio wouldn’t stop raving about it and was insistent that I check it out. At first, I was very reluctant to join but then after considering what I was doing at the time to stay in shape (next to nothing) I decided to give it a try. After completing the Intro Class (which dominated me), my first WOD was Squat Snatch, Wall Climbs, and Double Unders with Berretta. I was barely able to move post-WOD and I remember walking/standing/sitting was difficult for several days.

When did you start coming to CrossFit Southie/ how long have you been CrossFitting for?
I started coming to CrossFit Southie on February 7th of this year and have been CrossFitting now for almost 4.5 months.

When did you realize that CrossFit was right for you?
I think I realized CrossFit was right for me almost immediately. I’m a pretty competitive person and I also get bored with workouts pretty easily. CrossFit provides both the competition and variety I need to keep me excited.

What are you short-term and long-term CrossFit goals?
Short-term: Muscle-ups, HSPU, hand-stand walks (basically all gymnastic movements), become more flexible, and to make sure I take a couple of steps forward everyday.
Long-term: Compete in Regionals next year.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment so far at CFS would have to be losing 25 lbs since starting and keeping it off. I was an offensive lineman in college and since I stopped playing my weight has been yo-yo-ing like crazy. I would lose weight then think I deserved to eat/drink whatever I wanted and then gain it all back plus a bit more. CrossFit has put me in a mindset that I really think about my choice of foods before consuming anything (more on that in the last question).

What is your favorite / least favorite WOD/movement?
Favorite Movements: anything heavy – I like to pick things up and put them down!
Least Favorite Movement: anything that involves gymnastics/body-weight – really need to work on these things over the next couple of months.

What do you do for a profession outside of CrossFit?
I am currently finishing up my first year of medical school at Tufts Medical School. I have another three years of school then my plan is to go into Orthopedic Surgery and most likely specialize in Sports Medicine.

What are your hobbies outside of CrossFit?
I really like to hang out with my friends and family. I am blessed to have an amazing group of people in my life and just hanging with them makes me very happy. I also really enjoy cooking/BBQ’ing. If I didn’t have this whole “doctor thing” going on I would’ve most likely been a chef.

Do you eat Paleo or Zone? What is your favorite paleo/non-paleo meal?
I started eating Paleo shortly after joining CFS. I keep my diet Paleo/clean basically 6.5 days a week and usually have a half of a cheat day on Saturdays.
My favorite paleo meal is “Crockpot Pork Green Chile” from PaleOMG — it is out of control: http://paleomg.com/paleo-crockpot-pork-green-chile/
My favorite non-Paleo meal would consist of something along the following: Pepperoni pizza, peanut M&M’s (preferably chilled in freezer), a seven-layer bar, a couple of nice beers, extra crispy French fries, and a hamburger medium-rare with bacon, cheese and caramelized onions on it – like I said I use to be an offensive lineman.

Fun fact?
I have been told that from time-to-time I am a great dancer for a large human being.

———->  Brian got his first muscle up last Friday too – Hoooty Hooot!

WOD
With a partner:
Row 1000m Switching every 250m
Then ascending ladder of
Toes to bar (1,1,2,2,3,3….10)
Followed by
Ascending Ladder of Box jumps(1,1,2,2,3,3….10)
then
Row 2000m Switching every 250m

Level 1- Ascending ladder up through 7