Being an underdog has its benefits. Doctors and countless physicians told me after my fourth and final lung surgery that I would never be allowed to play sports or lift weights again. I was bound to yoga and pilates. The underdog is forced to develop mental toughness, resolve, grit, and a never-quit mentality. Fitness has shown me that I can do what some say I can't. Its benefits translate far past the physical. They translate to every facet of your life.
Chris Holt
crossfit
Salt Lake City, UT
For Chris Holt, movement is his medicine and there's no question that he practices what he preaches. Confronting obstacles throughout his life, including depression and the unimaginable decision to leave his career in architecture (a childhood dream), Chris is a champion of how powerful a positive mindset can be.
- CrossFit and SEALFIT enthusiast
- Head Trainer and GM of CrossFit Sandy; founder of the 2nd CrossFit affiliate in Miami
- Owner of Evolution Athletica
- CrossFit L-2 Trainer
- CrossFit Endurance, CrossFit Movement and Mobility, CrossFit Kids, and CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting certified
- 4 collapsed lungs
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10 MINUTES WITH CHRIS
Q: WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM FITNESS THAT HAVE SERVED YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE?
Q: WHAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED?
My mental health. Having suffered from depression from an early age and some PTSD, eating clean and working out has hand-in-hand kept me from falling into very deep, dark holes.
Q: AT WHAT POINT IN YOUR LIFE DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU WANTED TO INVEST MORE IN YOUR PERSONAL FITNESS?
I don't think there was a specific time that I made a conscious decision to "invest more" in my personal fitness. I just always wanted to look a certain way. I chased so many fad diets, BS supplements, and workout routines that never got me to where I ultimately wanted to be. Until I found CrossFit in 2005.
Q: WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR TWENTY-YEAR OLD SELF?
Being an architect had always been our dream since we were in 7th grade. Be ok with the idea of leaving architecture. There are bigger opportunities on the horizon.
Q: WITH ANY NEW MODALITY YOU GET INTO, HOW DO YOU APPROACH IT IN ORDER TO MASTER?
Mastery of anything starts with fundamentals. "If you cannot do the little things right, you'll never be able to do the big things right." (Admiral McRaven)
Q: WHAT PHYSICAL ACCOMPLISHMENT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
Overcoming my four lung surgeries and multiple partial lung collapses. Survived a near fatal car accident (fell asleep driving and rolled my car down a hill). I am proud of being able to workout every day and inspire others.
Q: WHAT’S ON YOUR FITNESS BUCKET LIST?
I don't have a fitness bucket list. I am where I want to be physically, so I just want to maintain what I have. Stay injury free. And I want to enjoy exercise. Training for competitions was never any fun for me, so as long as I can still find the joy in working out, I'm a happy camper.
Q: HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PUTTING TEN THOUSAND SHORTS TO WORK IN THE FUTURE?
I wear them EVERYDAY. So I foresee myself just crushing workouts (any and all kinds) in them.
