David Kneeland

1. How long have you been doing CrossFit and what made you start? I first found CrossFit in 2008 while deployed overseas. I began my weightlifting journey by following Mark Rippetoe’s Starting Strength program but quickly became bored with the monotonous programming. A friend told me about this challenging new-ish thing called CrossFit that we should try. A few weeks of sled drags, tire flips, and Olympic lifts later – and feeling like I’d been run over by a truck every day – and I was hooked! After an eight year hiatus due to kids, grad school, and life obstacles, I came back to CrossFit in 2018. I’ve been active with CrossFit since then with the last year and some change at CrossFit Lake Travis.

2. What is your favorite thing about CrossFit? Without question, the community! The friendship and camaraderie I’ve found through CrossFit are what has me hooked. The physical and mental health benefits are a close second. But it’s really the people working alongside each other, each on their own health and fitness journey, meeting themselves where they are that day and striving to be 1% better while supporting others, that makes me love CrossFit so much.

3. What is your favorite movement? Such a tough question to answer… when I first started CrossFit, the power clean and front squat topped the list. With any and all of the other Olympic lifts following shortly behind. There is something about working on an Olympic lift technique over and over and finally nailing the movement that is empowering! Lately, I’ve gravitated toward more gymnastics movements like ring muscle-ups, bar muscle-ups, and handstand push-ups.

I guess that really means my favorite movements are the ones I haven’t yet mastered and am putting the sweat equity into learning. There is always some new skill or technique to work on.

4. What is your favorite CrossFit movement to coach? My favorite movement to coach is one that gets an athlete excited. That could be deadlifts or back squat for some, handstands, pull-ups or muscle-ups for someone else. Seeing someone get super stoked about their progress is incredibly motivating! Nothing gets me more excited than seeing someone walk through the doors again, motivated to put the work in and continue learning and growing.

5. Why did you become a Trainer? I became a Trainer for two reasons. First, I became a trainer to continue challenging myself in new and rewarding ways. Standing in front of a gym full of athletes, many of whom have mastered skills I am still working on, is humbling and challenging. But therein lies the reward; doing something that is unfamiliar and scary when you first set out and striving to be 1% better every day.

Second, I became a Trainer because I wanted to give back. CrossFit has given me so much in life; physical health, mental health, new friendships, and more. CrossFit absolutely kept me sane through some of the most challenging times in my life. I feel it is important to contribute to a community, both at CrossFit Lake Travis and elsewhere, that has been such a positive contribution to my life over the years. In the words of some of my friends and family members, I drank the culty kool-aid and now love helping spread the gospel!

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