Athlete of the Month: August 2017

Matt Utter

Nickname: Bear

Member since: August 2016

Windy City: We're so excited to be able to celebrate Matt and his accomplishments both in and outside of WCSC this month. Having worked one on one with Matt during his first few months, we can attest to just how much dedication, perseverance and mental toughness he has. We're truly grateful Matt chose Windy City as the place he would pursue his goals and that he gave us all of his trust. Matt has an incredible story to share and we know you all want to hear it. Matt was hands down the coach's pick for AOM this month AND he was also nominated by many of you, his peers as well. You're making a lot of people proud, Matt! Congrats and keep pushing! 

“If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it.”  —Lucy Larcom

Bear: I've had a weight problem my entire life. As an adult I went through periods of being very active (I used to do marathons), losing weight, and then slowly gaining it all back (I was miserable at my job). 

Last year, I finally started working somewhere else. But at that point I was bored with running and seriously overweight again. I like high intensity workouts and I wanted to try something different so I decided to try out CrossFit.

“This is the worst. I’m fat, older, weak, slow, super uncoordinated, a slow learner and these coaches probably hate me.”

My on-ramping process was rough. I felt super uncomfortable because I couldn't do anything. I had to modify all the movements to the nth degree. I felt like a huge dope. Instead of doing box jumps I was doing bunny hops on a plate on the ground. When everyone else in class was doing double-unders I had to use one of those weird beaded granny jump ropes. I thought, "This is the worst. I'm fat, older, weak, slow, super uncoordinated, a slow learner and these coaches probably hate me."

But the one thing I have going for me is that I'm tough and I don't quit. I've been through actual trauma in my life. I wanted to prove to myself that I could handle CrossFit, too. So I bookmarked, watched, and re-watched YouTube videos of the movements we'd be doing in class. I showed up early to watch people doing the WOD before my class started. I also checked in with my coach from time to time to ask a ton of questions.

“I’ve lost 75 pounds so far. I figured out early on that I’m going get to my goal weight, for sure, if I keep this up. But I don’t want to just lose weight. I’ve decided that I want to be good at this stuff.”

It took a while but I started catching on. I started seeing results right away, too. I've lost 75 pounds so far. I figured out early on that I'm going get to my goal weight, for sure, if I keep this up. But I don't want to just lose weight. I've decided that I want to be good at this stuff. So it's an ongoing process. 

It helps that I love all my coaches. Sheena, Tony, Doc, Pat and Eloise are awesome, special people. I've learned a ton from each of them. I'm very grateful.

Recent Adventures

I'm proud to organize my court's involvement in Race Judicata again this year. Race Judicata is an annual charity run that benefits Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation (CVLS). CVLS provides legal services to the poor and working poor.

Future Adventures

I'm getting closer and closer to 40 and I still haven't been out of the country. I need to work on that. The UK and Australia are at the top of my list.

Goals

• Fitness: I'd like to progress my skill level from beginner/intermediate to doing all the more advanced movements like muscle ups and ring dips. I also want to do all the crazy gymnastic movements. Some day I'm going to be one of the people swinging on the rig like Batman.

• Professionally: I've been working at a federal court as a case administrator since last year and I love it! I want to keep developing professionally. I'm excited to see where I go with my career because there's a lot of opportunity for career growth at my new job.  

•  Personal: I'm single! Send your eligible bachelors to me, please! Must be tall and gainfully employed. Thanks!

Something that most people don’t know about me:

I used to do improv and sketch comedy around Chicago for about 5 years, which explains why I'm always running my mouth and I don't take anything that seriously.

Words to Live By

I want everyone to know that if you have a fitness goal, Windy City Strength and Conditioning will get you to where you want to be.