When Derek Gattenby turned 40, he found himself in a place he did not want to be. He was out of shape, constantly out of breath, and felt like he had lost control of his health. Years of smoking, overeating, and drinking had taken their toll, and he knew something had to change.
The Wake-Up Call
Turning 40 was Derek's wake-up call. He looked in the mirror and did not recognize the person staring back at him. The habits that had seemed harmless in his twenties and thirties were now catching up with him in a big way. He needed a drastic change, and he needed it fast.
Finding CrossFit Fig
Derek joined CrossFit Fig and immediately found something he was not expecting: a second family. The coaches and members welcomed him with open arms, and for the first time in years, he felt like he belonged somewhere that was pushing him to be better.
The Transformation
The results have been nothing short of remarkable. Derek made it to the CrossFit Quarterfinals, placing in the top 10% worldwide for his age group. He can breathe again. He is doing things he has not done since his twenties. The man who could barely walk up a flight of stairs is now competing on a global stage.
What He Loves
Derek thrives on explosive, high-intensity workouts, especially the ones that clock in under ten minutes. He loves the feeling of pushing himself to the absolute limit and then walking away knowing he gave everything he had.
His advice to anyone thinking about starting CrossFit? Jump in. Do not overthink it. Do not wait until you are "ready." The gym is where you get ready. The community is where you find your strength. And the results will follow if you just show up and put in the work.
