Brian Vayda

I began CrossFitting in the Summer of 2008. I found out about CrossFit from some fellow Phoenix firefighters who had tried this “new” style of working out and thought it would help with the physical demands of the job. Like most people that began CrossFitting before it was cool, I spent endless hours on the CrossFit main site, watching videos and trying to teach myself CrossFit. I drove my wife crazy with my new obsession! Soon, I was doing CrossFit wherever I could, whether it was at fire station gyms or Lifetime fitness, even with limited equipment that was not always CrossFit-friendly. I finally outfitted my garage into a CrossFit gym, complete with bumper plates, rings, a pull up bar, squat rack, lifting platform, kettle bells, prowler sled – basically, everything a guy needs to work out. But, something was missing. I needed the class structure to push myself beyond my own expectations.

CrossFit gyms were not on every corner in 2008. My first WOD at an “official” CrossFit gym was while on vacation in Flagstaff, AZ at CrossFit Flagstaff. I thought I had been doing pretty good training on my own, until my first class. Oh boy, was it difficult! I still remember the WOD (and evil Fran Meets Helen). I did absolutely terrible and I was hooked! Towards the end of 2008, a CrossFit gym finally opened in my neighborhood (CrossFit Fury in Goodyear, AZ) and I stalked it until it opened. I was their first official member and remained a member until opening CrossFit Incendia. At Fury, I had the opportunity to compete in various events and my passion for CrossFit continued to increase with each passing year.

CrossFit quickly became a family activity for us. I began taking my son – who is now eight years old – to CrossFit when he was 18 months old. He started CrossFit Kids classes as soon as the program was offered. My wife was resistant to CrossFit at first, but I finally won her over! Now we plan our vacations by the proximity of CrossFit gyms and visit as many boxes as time will allow.

CrossFit has changed our lives. My passions lie in the pursuit of performance and showing others how beneficial CrossFit can be to all aspects of life. At first, CrossFit was a means of survival for me. I had to be able to perform at a level of intensity required by the demands of my job. Now, I get to show others how to excel within their bodies and enjoy life to the fullest.