Hi everyone, I'm Daniel! I'm originally from Lynchburg Virginia but moved to Baltimore to be closer to my now wife, Tessa. We have a nearly four year old Bernese Mountain Dog, Kooper, that I'm desperate to bring to the gym one day. I'm a software quality analyst for a furniture company that specializes in designing classrooms and learning spaces. I like to explain that my job is to push buttons and pull levers until I break something and then I send it back to the smart people to fix it. I grew up playing soccer and running cross country but I've never consistently lifted weights. Many CrossFit movements were completely new to me! I'm curious about how things work so I've been into numerous maker hobbies throughout the years. In the past I've learned how to bake sourdough, woodworking, sewing and leatherworking, basic mechanics, camping and bushcraft, video game modding, etc. I was raised on a small farm so I've been learning how to keep stuff working since I was a child.
What led you to try CrossFit?
I've been an on-again off-again athlete my whole life and I struggle to work out on my own. Tessa and I ran a tough mudder earlier this year and that reignited the spark to be active. I never pictured myself as a CrossFitter, but Tommy and Alexis kept mentioning how great the community at Titan was. When I found out there was a free one week trial I figured the least I could do was try. Titan has been incredibly receptive to someone like myself that has so much to learn.
Why do you continue to CrossFit?
After just a month of CrossFit I could tell how much more energy I had throughout the day. I was no longer exhausted by lunchtime. I began noticing I was sad on the days I wasn't planning on going to the gym. Equally as important to me is how amazing the Titan community is. The gym is filled with wonderful people who all want to see one another succeed. I'm usually a 5:30pm gym rat but more than once I've attended a different class just because I see someone I want to hang out with.
Describe how your attitude towards health and fitness has evolved since you began your journey.
The biggest revelation for me is the usefulness of volume and variety instead of always doing strict movements. For years I would see butterfly pullups or other kipping movements and think to myself, "That's not even a rep!" The reality is each movement serves a different purpose. The strength I've been able to develop in just a few months at Titan has far surpassed what I was ever able to program on my own. A decade ago my bench press single rep max was 135 after a full college semester of weight training. Today with Titan I'm doing sets of three at 135 with added techniques like deadstop or tempo benching. I've never been a big guy and for so many years I just told myself I would never be able to lift heavy. It turns out adding in variety makes me stronger all around!
Share a memorable CrossFit moment that makes you laugh or puts a smile on your face.
Meeting new people as an adult is really hard and third spaces keep disappearing. Part of the draw of Titan for me is the great community. My usual routine is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On one random Wednesday Dave called out to ask me where I was the day before. His question made me reflect on my time with Titan so far and I wondered if I was now considered a regular; one small part of what makes our community so great. I felt seen and like I belonged to the Titan family. That moment was a great reminder that the community isn't built around the strongest or the fastest athletes, but rather those who consistently show up for themselves and for each other.
What are you proud of and why?
If you've seen me around the gym there's a very good chance I was wearing a Spartan shirt. When anyone asks about them I usually say "I ran a bunch back in 2019" and I leave the story at that. What I usually skip over is that every Spartan Race I've ever done, I've done in full costume. In 2019 I ran a double trifecta year, two half-marathon Beasts, two 10k Supers, and two 5k Sprints, with a 10 pound shield strapped to my back and a helmet on my head. People have done harder things but I made this fun and I made it my own. Every piece of my costume was made completely by hand. I enjoyed finding clever ways to get a wide shield over some obstacles and under others. I'd like to one day return to OCRs with costumes but I think my shield days might be past me. If you're interested in seeing more of what that journey looked like I saved everything to my instagram account "axandyr".
What's your advice for other CrossFitters or people looking to start?
The first time I walked into Titan I was so intimidated. Everyone was ripped, shredded, yoked; call it whatever you will. I felt tiny and weak compared to everyone else. I stuck it out through my first class, started getting to know everyone, and was reminded that everyone in this gym also had to start at the ground floor too. The old saying is that comparison is the thief of joy, however I propose that inspiration is the pioneer of success. The only person I'm ever racing in a workout is myself. Those around me, however, are a great example of what might be possible one day with commitment and discipline. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid of constructive criticism. Don't stress over someone who's faster or stronger than you. Don't stress if you were faster or stronger yesterday. Do the work to be more confident in who you are today.
Why the coaches chose Dan as Titan of the Month:
Dan consistently exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated, hardworking, and motivated athlete. He proactively asks questions to improve, approaches every workout with a positive attitude and great energy, and shows a genuine eagerness to learn. He not only welcomes constructive feedback but makes a conscious effort to apply it right away, which speaks volumes about his coachability and commitment to growth. Beyond his work ethic, he is friendly, encouraging, and brings such a positive presence to the gym. His dedication, willingness to learn, and constant desire to better himself make him truly deserving of Titan of the Month.
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