Martin Ringstaff

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I am blessed  to be married to Heather who is also in our great Anazao gym. We have three children, Colby, our son who turned 21 in March and twin girls, Jayden and Jordan, who will be 20 in May. I’m originally from Richlands, VA but met Heather in Danville, VA when I was an assistant principal and she was teaching. A career in public school shifted to a career in the hospital world. I was honored to be  named CEO of a residential treatment facility in Staunton, VA in Sept 2022, which brought us here. I love what I am doing now working with adolescents who are in crisis when they arrive. In my spare time I like play a tennis at a competitive level and watch just about every sport. A major fan of Virginia Tech, Boston Red Sox, Jacksonville Jaguars,  and any sport that may be on TV.  Tennis has long been great to me. I played in high school, college and then coaches it in high school. Tennis also led me to Boston, MA for eight summers to work tennis camps for the summer. Tennis has allowed me to travel to great destinations. Tennis opened the door for me to go to college as I was definitely not the college academic type coming out of high school. Because I wanted to coach, it led me to teaching high school. That, in turn, led me to getting my Masters and Doctoral degree and going into leadership. Tennis was the key that unlocked it all. 

What are your current goals and why do you CrossFit?

My current goals  are to continue to work hard to get in better shape, shift my diet every so slightly to help, and become more flexible. As I enter my mid-50s, I am noticing the knees and shoulders aren’t as happy as they once were and bouncing back after a workout doesn’t happen as quick. I enjoy hitting PRs, especially at my age. I didn’t start CrossFit until I was 52 so as a rookie, it is humbling, but really fun. I love the coaches and members. The community is what drives me to do better - even at 5:30 AM most mornings.  

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

Favorite movements - Jump rope comes easy to me as I did that workout daily through college due to a tennis coach that was obsessed that it was the answer. I like hang cleans, ring rows, dead lifts,  push presses, and mostly anything with easier techniques. 

My least favorite movements - The ones I struggle with are anything overhead, (thrusters, snatches, etc…). The technique is just harder for me to get control of and these old muscles don’t want to move. Burpees just flat out suck. Anything that involves running is also not my favorite. Popped a calf muscle three years ago during a tennis match so I get nervous when it gets tight. All in my head, but working on it. I am now working on the things I don’t like because it pushes me mentally to overcome those issues. 

What do you think is special about CrossFit Anazao?

To me, the coaches and community are what makes Anazao what it is. I never feel pressured to go into a workout that I may struggle with, and the coaches help with scaling to what I can do and still push myself. The culture of the 5:30 AM classes makes it fun. The entire process is exciting, challenging, and a great family feel. Even when you fail a movement, you don’t fail the workout. As in life, we will fail at times, but it is how you bounce back that makes all the  difference.

Anything else you would like to share?

Our kids are what drives me to do better everyday.  Heather and I are so proud of them. As they transition into their own lives, it is so fun to watch. I also have grown up being a parrothead. Jimmy Buffett music is basically a coping skill. I had the privilege of seeing him 51 times before he passed last year.  

A note from one of our coaches…

Martin has always been a coaches favorite. He is so open to coaching and recognizes his limitations but doesn't shy away from them. With his hard work ethic, he attacks workouts with a desire to improve and he will do so while cheering on those around him. He is also one of the first members to walk around and congratulate those in class on a "job well done". Martin is also quick to volunteer to help at special events and the CrossFit Open, he was so helpful to so many. We appreciate all he does to elevate our community and build up those around him!