"In any Hero WOD you push yourself that much further."
Lee Howe knows danger.
At 16 years old, he joined the U.K.’s Royal Marine Commandos and was sent to war-torn Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo. Nine years later, in 2007, Howe left the Royal Marines and ended up accepting a job as a private bodyguard to the British Embassy in Erbil, Iraq.
He spent a year in Erbil before moving to Baghdad, where he worked for the U.S government. During his fourth year in Iraq, he discovered CrossFit.
“After being used to the usual … mundane gym routine, [it] was a breath of fresh air,” Howe says, “and I have never looked back.”
He adds, chuckling: “I asked if I was going to get pumped up.”
While based in Tikrit for his final year in Iraq, Howe met Michael Monroe, owner of military affiliate Poseidon CrossFit. Under Monroe’s guidance, Howe started to learn more about CrossFit and decided to pursue the Level 1 course, which he successfully completed in summer of 2010. His goal was to get out of the tumultuous country and get back home.
His own affiliate “was my way out of working in Iraq,” Howe says.
In December, he went home.
Upon his arrival, Howe spent time training in parks throughout Teesside and visited CrossFit Leeds once a week. His goal: qualify for the Europe Regional. The work paid off, as he not only qualified for the 2011 event, but finished 19th overall.
Finally, in August of that year, Howe opened CrossFit Teesside in his hometown of Stockton-on-Tees, England.
“I’m a local lad,” the 30-year-old says. “I love being home with a venture to benefit my area.”
Building the Teesside Family
Once he was home, Howe started introducing CrossFit to his family.
“My mom was one of the first two people that showed up,” Howe says.
Eventually, Howe’s father joined as well.
“I love seeing my parents so active and healthy,” Howe’s sister, Nicola, says. “This means they will have many more years to spend with their granddaughter.”
Today, CrossFit Teesside prides itself on active members who regularly participate in local races, raise money for charity and use workouts to celebrate birthdays and honor those who have died.
Howe says he has been particularly keen on the memorial workout experience for Teesside members.
“In any Hero WOD, you push yourself that much further,” he says.
Teesside members recently rose to the occasion to support Howe in the passing of his own grandfather.
“Over 100 people participated,” he says, proudly.
Howe created the workout by incorporating his grandfather’s favorite movements and using the date of his death for the rep scheme.
Maurice:
5 rounds
20 burpee box jumps
15 front squats
10 sumo deadlift high-pulls
“As a family, it was emotional for us to do the WOD,” Nicola says. “But seeing our friends push through such a difficult WOD in honor of a person I love so much is heartwarming. That’s what community is all about.”
For Howe, it’s about coming together to remember and celebrate.
“They aren’t here, but we are,” he says. “I want people to be humbled and inspired to work harder. I also want them to enjoy life and to live it to the fullest.”
In July, CrossFit Teesside lost one of its members to an avalanche in the French Alps. John Taylor and 27 others were attempting to reach the summit of Mont Blanc to raise money for St. Leonard’s Hospice. On August 1, Teesside members worked through the workout dedicated to 48-year-old Taylor:
Run 1 mile
21 handstand push-ups
21 over-box jumps
Run 800 meters
15 handstand push-ups
15 over-box jumps
Run 400 meters
9 handstand push-ups
9 over-box jumps
“We always take some time to reflect on the life we just honored,” Howe notes.
His military days, he adds, helped him create the strong Teesside community so willing to suffer through memorial workouts.
Howe says: “I’m used to building up comradeship.”
