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 other goofy stuff. This month our WOM is Matthijs Goes (40), born and raised in Rotterdam and editor-in-chief of autobahn.eu.
From law to journalism
‘During my law study I found out that I didn’t want to be a lawyer. I met the editor-in-chief of Quote and he invited me to do an internship at their editorial office. I stayed there for four years and suddenly I was an editor! After some side steps I ended up at autobahn.eu, which fits me like a glove. I think ‘auto’ was not my first word, but definitely my second. I really love cars, so I turned my hobby into my job. Nowadays I am responsible for everything you see on autobahn.eu: from articles to movies (which we co-create with dumpert.nl). I do everything from writing to editing.’
Crossfit Monaco: the sign!
‘I was always into sports. I played hockey on a high level, then I did rugby and rowing (and some professional drinking as wel as a college student ;)). I met people that did Crossfit-like workouts and with a friend I started to replicate Crossfit workouts that we found on youtube. I was really into it, but thought joining a Crossfit box was a bit too expensive. At that time I followed Madelon on social media, and we had a conversation about Crossfit on twitter. She invited me to just come by and try it out. I was in Monaco at that time and after the conversation I stepped out of my hotel and there I saw a big sign with ‘Crossfit Monaco’. I think it was a sign from the universe ;).’
Skipping beers at the bar
‘It turned out to be a great match. I drive my colleagues crazy with all my Crossfit stories. Suddenly I went home early to go to the gym and I skipped the last round of beers in the bar. I decided not to let work get in the way of planning my gymtime, so I started working out early in the morning. This really changed my day to day life.’
‘You know what is perfect about Crossfit? I don’t have to think about it. When I used to go to a regular fitness gym, I always had to think about reps and rounds. Sometimes I was in de gym for 2 hours and most of that time I was looking on my phone. With Crossfit your workout is always one hour and you don’t have to remember anything. Just look at the whiteboard every once in a while! ‘
Learning something new everyday
‘Gymnastics is not my specialty, but I really like the little victories like being able to do 10 pull-ups in a row. Or like the other day to perform my first handstand push-up. After 2,5 years there is still a lot to learn and that motivates me. ‘
‘My favorite movements are rowing and the airbike, because it is something I am good at. I like to go really hard on them.The sumo deadlift high pull and cleans are also favorites. And bench pressing ofcourse. When bench pressing is on the whiteboard it is possible that I end up high in the rankings on SugarWOD that day. I like that competition part of Crossfit.’
‘What I don’t like is everything that gets me hurt like rope climbing and sit-ups. Running during a workout is also not a favorite, because of the hassle with shoes and because it always shorter distance. But when rope climbing or running is on the menu of the day I turn up anyway, it is part of Crossfit!’
We’re in this together
‘My favorite Wildheart memories are the ones in which you really feel we’re in this together. People cheering you on, and really rooting for you during the Open for example. You don’t have to be an elite warrior to join a competition like the Open en the Wildheart community is very supporting. Next to that I also like the community events like Sinterklaas and the silent disco parties after the Open ofcourse. We’re in that together as well! ‘
Stay tuned for our next Wildheart of the Month!
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