Doug Wood

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I was raised in a very rural community in central NY.  The main industry was dairy farming.  Great, hardworking people all around.  After 6 years to get a Bachelor's degree I moved to the San Francisco/Oakland Bay area in CA. I met my wife there and her job took us to Miami.  South Florida was nice but I knew we wouldn't be there forever so we looked all up and down the east coast for a place to settle down.  In 1999 we brought the family to central Virginia and have never been sorry.  Since then @ 25 family members have joined us here.  I've been a nurse for just over 30 years with the past 25 at UVA.  I love being a nurse and consider becoming one the second best decision I've ever made.  I have a small hobby farm with some pigs, chickens, and goats that keeps me pretty busy.  I also enjoy hunting, fishing, kayaking, swimming, running, biking and pretty much any outdoor activity.  I was pretty athletic in HS and played soccer, basketball , baseball, ran track and cross country. I received a scholarship and played 4 years of basketball in college.Once the kids were grown I decided to try to get into better shape.  When I started running again I could only run 100 yards without stopping.  I realized that it had been 40 years since I had run a mile or more!!  Yikes!

What are your current goals and why do you CrossFit?

My main goal for CrossFit is to attend class at least 15 times/months.  Yeah, muscle ups, headstand pushups, and the like would be great but I've found that if I just show up that often that everything just kind of takes care of itself. I do CrossFit because I have seen that there is a a huge difference between living and surviving.  I want to live and to do that I need to have strength and flexibility. I need to be able to carry 50# feed sacks and split firewood etc. I need a group setting to motivate me.  I also like that CrossFit does a nice job of combining strength training and cardio into each WOD.  I also like that with CrossFit I don't have to think very much, all one needs to do is show up, do what you're told, and try pretty hard.  It's not very complicated.  

What are your favorite movements? How about your least favorite? Why?

Favorite movements - I pretty much like all of that movements/exercises in CrossFit.

My least favorite movements - Burpees and Up/Downs! I just don't think my body is designed to get on the floor and get back up quickly like that.  I'm trying to see the positive in them but so far that has escaped me.  

What do you think is special about CrossFit Anazao?

I love CFA!!  It all starts with Ben and the atmosphere he has created.  This carries down through every one of the coaches. I really like the "vibe" of the gym.  Everyone is welcoming and the only way we are judged is by how much effort we put in which is exactly how I feel it should be.  As expected, CFA helps with our physical development but what was unexpected is how it also improves our psychological and emotional well-being.  Sometimes I think half of Ben's and the coaches' time is providing us psych/emotional therapy.  I've also found the athletes to be extremely motivated and welcoming.  Coming into a CF box can be intimidating but every one of the CFA family has made me feel at home.  They make it fun and truly help to make me want to keep coming back.  

A note from one of our coaches…

Doug is one of the kindest guys you’ll ever meet. You always know it’s going to be a good class when you see him signed up or taking his shoes off at the door. He has improved so much since joining and is always willing to listen to coaching to get better. You can always find him cheering people on at the end of a workout, giving fistbumps to everyone in class and helping clean up after class. We’re lucky to have him as part of our Anazao family.