He can do pull-ups and thrusters, but more importantly he can surf, climb and play catch with his son.
Never Say Never
After nine surgeries in both shoulders, Masters athlete and affiliate owner Glenn D’Avanzo’s doctors told him he would never throw a baseball, rock climb or lift weights again.
D’Avanzo’s active life, which once included baseball, hockey, rock climbing and snowboarding, screeched to a halt. He entered into what he calls seven years of “physical and emotional decrepitude.” That was until he found CrossFit four years ago.
Since starting CrossFit, D’Avanzo has had to continually live on the edge of his limitations, which coincidentally included becoming the co-owner of CrossFit Synergistics in Ashland, Mass. At first, he feared opening a box since he didn’t consider himself “that elite athlete.” However, he found his personal story of injury and recovery helps the athletes he trains “get a sense of belief that their goals are possible and can be safely reached.”
Learning from the Open
Signing up for the 2012 CrossFit Open seemed “a realistic next step out of my comfort zone”, says D’Avanzo. The choice was also in alignment with his life long love of competition. D’Avanzo may have originally signed up for the Open to compete and to push his own limits, but he is getting much more out of it than that.
“It has become apparent through the Open that I do have limitations,” D’Avanzo says.
He hasn’t been able to perform the workouts to his initial expectations due to range of motion issues. “Snatch and push press were at loads that push my limits.” Although he finds the experience humbling, it’s also been extremely rewarding for him in other ways.
Functioning at the Highest Level
“The more our athletes see me embrace the pain … put my ego aside, do my best … they feel free to be their best without judgment of their limitations,” he says.
D’Avanzo sees the Open as an experience for his athletes to “discover another layer in the depths of themselves as athletes, parents, spouses and human beings.”
The Open has reinforced what D’Avanzo has learned all along since starting CrossFit. “Those who risk discover something better about themselves.”
CrossFit is so much more than times and weights, it’s about functioning in life to our highest possibilities both physically and mentally. D’Avanzo’s gratification is in “having overcome the doctor’s stated limitations.” Functional movements he says “have given me my active life back.” He can do pull-ups and thrusters, but more importantly he can surf, climb and play catch with his son.
