It’s time for a brand new Wildheart of the Month (WOM)! Every month we interview one of our Wildhearts. We ask them about their Crossfit journey, their day job, their favorite movements and about some of their goofy stuff. This month our WOM is Bastian van Gelder (29), logistics consultant, a Wildheart for about half a year!
From Fitless to Fitness
‘Back in the day I was pretty good in doing nothing... I played some tennis until my fourteenth, but that was pretty much it! In my student years, I still didn’t do much and gained a lot of weight. It was until 2012 when there was a point that I gained so much, that something had to change. From that point on I decided to do something about it and started my journey to lose weight. Eventually I managed to drop over 40kg of excess bodyweight! How I managed to do that was simple… I just started to move more. I just got on my bike and went mountain biking and started to eat healthier. In the beginning I juggled a lot because I was trying to figure out what would be the proper balance for me. At some point I got the hang of it and people started to notice. That’s when I realized that I could do this!’.
Started from the globo gym, now we're here
‘So just like everyone else I started to do some fitness in the regular globo gym (Got to love those chest days ;). I also did some bootcamps, run by the globo gym and I loved the higher intensity stuff. So at some point me and my brothers visited the CrossFit Lowlands Throwdown as spectators, because we saw it on social media and we were just blown away with how awesome that looked. We decided right there and then, that we had to do CrossFit. So, right after I found the nearest CrossFit box, which was CrossFit Ridderkerk and started my CrossFit journey’.
CrossFit is about, fighting your weaknesses and being prepared to do any task that is ahead of you.
Love the Wildheart way
‘Every morning I wake up and the first thing I do is check the Workout of the Day and I love that! Back at CrossFit Ridderkerk I could see the programming 2 weeks in advance and I would skip the days that I didn’t like. Now that I’m a Wildheart, I really love the fact that I just do whatever is on the program and I notice that I’ve been learning new things because of that. Every morning feels like I’m waiting for the new CrossFit Open workout to be announced ;). I think that that’s what CrossFit is about, fighting your weaknesses and being prepared to do any task that is ahead of you.
I also feel that at CrossFit Wildhearts the programming and coaches are truly professionals and understand their profession. Starting from the way how I got welcomed at CrossFit Wildhearts until how each class is well layed out. I truly believe that it is something unique that every crew member knew my name when I came in for a trial class. Also the fact that when I joined CrossFit Wildhearts, a handwritten welcome postcard was laying on my doormat is just so thoughtful. Next to all this the box is so clean and well outfitted, it just shows professionalism and that’s something you don't see that often’.
In the middle of the pack
‘When I do a workout, I always rank somewhat in the middle of the pack. So, I can do pretty much everything, but I don’t particularly ‘shine’ in any of the movements, but that’s ok! I love the fact that I still learn new things and become better every day. You can put anything on the whiteboard and I will do the best I can. I’m not a big fan of double unders, because of an old injury but even that won’t stop me. The only thing is that now and then I need to take it easy on them. Other than that, you could say I’m more comfortable with a longer workout, instead of short sprints. My body just burns out quickly, so I’m having a hard time on the short fast workouts'.
Favorite Wildheart memory
‘Oh boy…. I haven’t been a Wildheart for too long BUT my favorite Wildheart memory is without a doubt the Wildhearts Weekender! That was one epic weekend and had such a blast. It was the perfect way to mingle with the other Wildhearts and I made friends for life. Next year I will definitely be joining again, because what’s better than doing outdoor stuff with your fellow Wildhearts‘.
Stay tuned for our next Wildheart of the Month!