Chris Odell

Favorite WOD:  12 days of cross-mas, or anything with rope climbs…

Least Favorite WOD: Anything with Thrusters.

Tell us about your sports & fitness background: Played soccer through high school, combined with track, cross-country, diving, and all the board sports (snowboard, skateboard, wakeboard, surf, etc). Since then I’ve basically used any chance to play as a way to stay in shape; from ultimate frisbee to trail running to surfing/skating/etc.  

How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD... what was it, and how did it feel?  Back in 2013 all my got into it and were talking about “the open”. I think I was lifting at a 24-hour fitness in that time, and so I started watching the WOD announcements and trying to do them on my own (earning some very funny looks at the mega-gym). I think the first “WOD” I tried was 13.1 (burpees + snatches) and I was hooked. 

What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF (before/after)? 

Besides about 25 pounds of muscle (though you can’t see it!) I have really enjoyed being able to move heavy sh*t. I was never in any strength-focused sports (I think I did my first back squat at age 30) so crossfit has really helped me be a more well-rounded athlete. 

What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected?  

The biggest unexpected change has been mental resilience in ALL areas of life. Whether it’s doing some unpleasant house chore, doing a different sport, or a long day at work or something, I honestly think to myself regularly “I already did the WOD today, I can handle this.” CrossFit has not only improved my abilities in all sports, but also built a mental stamina to do hard things that I didn’t have before.

Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFKSQ moments: 

Watching a classmate get their first muscle up, or PR a lift, or just crush a WOD is so much fun. I think a recent favorite is when we’ve done 48” box up-and-overs, and all of us figuring out how to heave our bodies over that height is hilarious and fun.

Any advice for people just getting started?  

2 big things: 

1. Leave your ego at the door and do what feels good to your body and ability. Scale everything if you have to; if something feels “off” that day then avoid it, go lighter. 

2. Just keep coming back. Commit to a schedule and stick with it; build the habit; make it a non-negotiable.

What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? 

I’m also a semi-professional musician. I’m in a jazz trio with someone from the gym, and write/produce my own stuff (trying to get my next album out this year!); I ran a recording studio for a while and have toured with bands since I was a teenager.