Humans of LoLo: Scott Smith

I was excited to sit down with Scott and capture some of what he’s already shared with us over the many months for our next instalment of Humans of LoLo. He has been with us since the beginning of CrossFit LoLo and personal training with Adrian. It’s been amazing to see his fitness progress – the other day I barely recognized him… His deadlift form is looking very on point! Ringing in his 50th birthday was a special acknowledgement to his health goals. Scott is the perfect candidate for this edition of Humans of LoLo! #fiftyandfit.

How did you get started with CrossFit?

“So I walked by [LoLo] when it was under construction and I felt nosy. When I was walking past one day, I asked someone who was walking in here what was going on. I had heard of CrossFit but I had never been to the gym in my life. Previously, I always got my fitness through team sports.

You know, I had wanted to get into the gym. The next time I walked by, it was open. After walking by a couple times, I finally walked in and met Adam. He gave me the run down and I was sold in an instant.”

I remember when you signed up as a member,  the same day you signed up for the CrossFit Open!

“Yeah! It I was in it right away! I felt comfortable and welcome here right away.

In my mind it was me against me, I was aiming for a personal best and I know that everyone in the gym is encouraging.

The open was fun – coming in on Saturdays and everyone doing it with you and cheering each other on.”

Take us to a moment on the gym floor.

“A moment of vulnerability… It’s funny, it’s just Adam’s ways. He does this warmups and asked us to do crab walks. I couldn’t even lift my butt off the floor and I felt like I was letting everyone down. I was thinking – ‘I’m that person that is blowing it for the team.’

In that moment everyone was laughing with me and I realized that we are all encouraging each other to do what we can do. In a fun way. I went from feeling panicked to relieved knowing that I was in the right company.”

 

A few years ago, I had read an article where David Suzuki shared that he looked at himself and said he was going to honour his body in the same way he honours the planet. I think he was 60 and in this magazine he’s got this fit nude photo of himself with a leaf over his crotch. When I saw that, I felt inspired. That level of fitness would allow me to go skiing, camping, biking; all the things that I like to do at any age. I was inspired to get ready for this year’s ski season. Last year I was exhausted after a half day of skiing. Now, I can ski for a full day! I feel like I am already in better shape.

Turning 50 was a reminder that I’m not getting younger.

The things that I read and heard about started to come into play as well – sleeping better and feeling better mentally. Plus the comments people are saying – ‘you look great’, ‘your form has improved’, and so on. It’s been incredible.

My goal over the last little while has been – this is a little embarrassing- a pull-up or a chin-up. Anyways, that’s one of my goals.

What is the happiest moment of your life?

When my daughter was born, she is 17 now.

Do you recall the saddest moment of your life?

Hmm that’s a tough one. Probably when my grandma died. I was 27, she was close with all the grandkids, she spoiled us.

Who is the most influential person in your life?

Definitely my Dad. One, because he is a teacher but not just as a profession but as a father as well. He taught my brother and I life skills and all sports. My father was a phys ed teacher so he got us involved in all sorts of sports and after school activities. He also played hockey and got us into that. That’s one of the reasons I’m here as well – he still goes to the gym and he’s 78!

What are you most afraid of right now?

I’m not scared of much, although I have a bad knee. Yet, another reason I wanted to come here was to rehab my knee to avoid surgery. Personal training with Adrian is amazing because he works on specific things with me. I want to be able to continue this. I don’t want to have any relapses, where I’m out for 3 months or something with a bad knee.

What are you most excited about right now?

I’m really excited about completing my year with Adrian. He is there with me, we’ve already made amazing progress. I feel like it’s a collective effort versus a business relationship. We both feel good about it and it’s going to be great by next March. That’s not the end, but it’s the measuring stick for me, and I’m excited to celebrate that!

Humans of LoLo