Bringing the Zest

July 14, 2014

Greg Okuhara

"You feel like you’re fit or strong, but when you’re up against the best of the best, you’re not so hot. ... It’s actually great ... . I’m pushing myself even more now."

If you follow elite athletes in the North Central Region, you are familiar with Alex Nettey. You’re also likely aware of his unique sense of fashion on the competition floor.

Now that he’s making his second consecutive trip to Carson, California, for the 2014 Reebok CrossFit Games, others around the country may begin to take notice, too.

The 30-year-old, who trains at CrossFit Chicago, said sporting unique outfits began as a competitive strategy, but also as a way to express his personality.

During the 2014 North Central Regional, Nettey paid homage to his hometown professional sports teams by donning a pair of Chicago Bulls shorts and a Chicago Blackhawks T-shirt. He also sported soccer jerseys from the U.S. and Ghana. And don’t forget the color-coordinated shoes to go along, whether they’re Air Jordans, Converse or Reeboks.

“It’s kind of been something that’s progressed over the years,” he said. “Going back to regionals several years ago, I would change attire after each workout to add some zest. And I like the feeling of having a fresh shirt on.”

Fans have been quick to pick up on Nettey’s fun fashion sense. He’s even received a request or two on Twitter to rock certain outfits.

“Now there’s this expectation to throw on these crazy outfits,” Nettey said. “There’s a little more pressure. With the World Cup this year, I’ve been looking for soccer stuff. At regionals, I wore a Ghanaian kit to (as a nod to my father’s heritage). (Wearing different T-shirts and shoes have) garnered some attention, but it’s not necessarily something I was looking for.”

Nettey doesn’t have any sponsors—though he mentions he’s close to securing his first—so it gives him some flexibility in his wardrobe choices. However, once in California, Games competitors are given clothes to wear during competitions, but that won’t stop him from injecting his personality where he can.

“It’ll be a little tougher since we have those uniforms, so it’s tough to have my personal flair,” he said. “Maybe I can find some different socks or hair bands or some different footwear.”

In addition to his attire, Nettey’s results at regionals are also garnering attention. In 2013, Nettey needed a strong final day at regionals to secure a third-place finish and his first trip to the Games. This year was a little more “comfortable,” he said, since he was never out of the top three the entire weekend and finished with a bit of a cushion in front of fourth place.

“I really, really wanted it,” Nettey said. “I mean, I wanted it last year, too, but I wanted to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke. I didn’t want anyone to think (I qualified in 2013) because the workouts were in my favor.”

Smooth operator

As much attention as Nettey draws with his clothing, anyone watching the former University of Notre Dame baseball player will have a tough time reading his face. During regionals, his gaze was nearly always calm, breaking only to express extra exertion when he needed to push.

“It’s kind of my personality in general,” he said. “I’m even-keeled. I’ve been doing this since 2008, thousands of workouts. I know how to pace appropriately. I’m not going to panic, and crash and burn.”

Rudy Tapalla, owner of CrossFit Chicago where Nettey trains and coaches, said his mild-mannered nature works to his benefit when competing.

“That’s his persona,” Tapalla said, who’s known Nettey for almost six years. “He’s stoic. He’s just a really humble guy.”

But Nettey’s mild-mannered nature doesn’t translate to a soft approach to training. In fact, since Nettey works full time as a real estate agent, he must make the most of his time in the gym.

Since many other Games competitors are able to devote more time to training since CrossFit is their full-time job, Nettey is at a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to preparation time. However, since realtors have more flexible work hours than other jobs, Nettey utilizes most of his downtime at CrossFit Chicago. But it means he must use that time wisely.

“It’s pretty gratifying (to qualify for the Games while maintaining a full-time job),” he said. “I know that’s the case with the majority of the others. I’m admittedly jealous of them. But the grass always seems greener on the other side, so it might not be everything I think it is. With the gaps in my schedule, I can squeeze in a skill session. Sometimes those are the best ones. I have to move and make it happen. It’s a constant challenge. Some days I want to get another session in, but I can’t because I have a meeting.”

He added that there are similarities between being a realtor and a competitive CrossFit athlete. Both require discipline and working when you don’t want to in order to be successful.

Tapalla witnesses how much work Nettey puts into those training sessions, which is why he found it funny when people said Nettey seemed to come out of nowhere to qualify for last year’s games.

“I’ve known him for five-and-a-half years, and he’s a staple (at CrossFit Chicago),” Tapalla said. “He does work out on his own or he’ll drop into a class. I laughed when people asked where he came from. He’s always been close and he’s always worked hard.”

CrossFit Games 101

When Nettey qualified for the 2013 Games, his goal was simple: complete all the events. However, he fell just short and was cut before the final two events.

“That’s been eating at me all offseason,” he said.

But the experience he gained was humbling and invaluable.

“I learned that the guys and girls there are pretty legit,” Nettey said. “They’re pretty good at what they’re doing. You think you’re doing well, then you look at your place and you’re not very high at all. You feel like you’re fit or strong, but when you’re up against the best of the best, you’re not so hot. You’re middle of road. It’s actually great, I’m not complaining about that. I’m pushing myself even more now.”

In preparation for this year’s Games, Nettey said he’s in a “bubble” where he’s focusing less on real estate or clothes and more on training. Nettey also is unique in that he trains without a coach. He feels he knows himself best. And thanks to the work ethic he’s developed as a real estate agent, he’s confident he can properly address his weaknesses.

That independent spirit also carries over into the financial side of his CrossFit career. Without the benefit of sponsors, the cost of attending the Games falls squarely on Nettey’s shoulders. But the CrossFit Chicago community is doing what they can to help.

In addition to T-shirt sales and a silent auction for various donated prizes, CrossFit Chicago will host the second annual Alex Games in which athletes pay an entry fee to participate in an in-house competition programmed by Nettey.

“It's really humbling to have everyone show the level of support they do for little old me, and I can't really repay the community enough so I train as hard as I can to represent them to the fullest at the Games,” Nettey said.

Tapalla said the CrossFit Chicago community jumped at the chance to pitch in. Items for the silent auction came pouring in from the first request for donations, and there’s a genuine sense of excitement for the Alex Games event, which will take place July 12.

“It’s easy for the community to rally behind him,” Tapalla said. “He’s never asked for help. It’s probably why he doesn’t have a bunch of sponsors. He’s not one to seek that out. But everyone here knows he’s a humble guy who’s worked really hard.”