Rob Stafford

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Rob Stafford is a New Britain Law Enforcement Officer and as he mentions in his testamonial he was deployed in Afghanistan for a period of time. This is a man who needs to be fit because the outcome could determine his life. When our nations heroes need their highest possible fitness level they choose CrossFit. Rob chooses CrossFit Relentless. Thank you Rob for all that you do for our safety!

Qalat Afghanistan…in the makeshift gym room of our tiny Foward Operating Base…thats where I learned of CrossFit for the first time. My Lieutenant joked with me about my regime of the traditional bodybuilding excersises I was doing and have done for the better part of 10 years.  You see my LT was a CrossFitter, and I remember looking at him with confusion when he was doing kipping a pullup, and squatting weight well beyond his own…how was this possible? I stayed my course, stayed with bodybuilding because in my mind a powerful infantryman was better than doing “fancy pullups” and thought I was in damn good shape. When I returned home I relyed on fitness to help with the stress of being overseas.

I happnened to be at my gym and saw CrossFit USA just down the street and it hit me like a lightning bolt –I thought “No shit….my LT was onto something.” So I went down, met Merle for the first time and from then on, my life changed. At 6’7″ and at that time 295 lbs  I thought myself to be a pretty in shape person…more of the brute force menality. Well Merle put me through what I look back on now as a warmup, of a 500m row, three rounds of 10 pushups, 10 air squats and 10 situps followed by a 500m row. Consequently I was sitting there puking my guts out after the brutal couple of minutes. I was saddened, angered and hooked all at once. All this time I was training hard, at least I thought…and nothing to show for it. Shortly after this time I was accepted into the Police academy and the demands time demands of training and getting oriented in my new position took me away from CrossFit.

Now, it’s three years later. I have gotten back into CrossFit at CrossFit Relentless for the last four months after suscessfully graduating New Britain Police Academy and probation for becoming an officer in the very same city. Im down to 265 and feel better than ever. I patrol a city where being in shape goes hand in hand with being sucessful at your job. I can honestly say that  the coaching of both Glenn and Merle helped me through injuries I was plagued with from being in combat. Combined with  what they taught me about nutrition and what to stay away from NOW I am getting in shape. 

I still have much to accomplish, much to conquer. But every day I walk into the box, I feel at home, I feel the surge of andreanaline of the comradierie, the sheer brutality in every WOD. I’m lighter on my feet, I’m more powerful than ever and just completed my first Tough Mudder in VT. That’s no easy task for a guy my size. I never thought it would be possible  but CrossFit has brought me to my knees and built me up back to a person I can be confident in.

For those that think they cant do it…. stop that thought immidiately. I was slow, heavy and broken but if there’s a will, a fire to push, thats all you need. Come in, follow the instructions of some of the finest coaches around, feel the roar of your fellow CrossFitters cheering you on and feel the accomplishment when you crush any weakness in you. Now my goal isn’t when is this pain going to end, its where can I get some more.

Merle, Glenn….. thank you.