Matt Dornik

Please tell us a little bit about yourself (family, job, sports, military, interests, etc.) We have a couple of kids, that I’m sure you have seen running around during WODs; they keep us pretty busy.  I enjoy staying active with downhill skiing, wakeboarding, waterskiing and ice biking in the winter. I have been a financial advisor for 13 years.

When did you start doing CrossFit? I started a few years ago at another box and then moved to SISU once they opened in Plymouth.

What were you doing before CrossFit? I mainly worked out at Lifetime.  I would usually go to a group fitness class on Mondays and then on my own the rest of the week.

Why did you start doing CrossFit? I was getting really bored with my routine and was looking for something new.  I saw the games on ESPN and knew I wanted to try it. I googled CrossFit Minnesota and found a few places close to my office and decided to give it a try.

What apprehensions did you have before starting? Being naive, I didn’t really have any.  That was before I knew what a wallball or thruster were.  I should have been very apprehensive.  If I would have known what they were, I may never have started.

What made you decide to come CrossFit SISU? I was looking for a gym closer to my office and I wanted to get my wife involved.  I started working out at Plymouth and then when I heard they may be opening a gym in Excelsior it was prefect for us.  I have a gym close to the office and one close to home, so we can both be a part of the same gym.

What were your thoughts after your first CrossFit workout? When will I be able to walk again? And double-unders are the worst thing ever.

What’s the greatest benefit you see so far since starting CrossFit and SISU? Believe it or not, my mobility has gotten better.  I still have a long way to go, but it is improving and my back pain is significantly better than it was a couple of years ago.  I have also gotten stronger in my legs and I notice this when I’m out west skiing.  The last time I was in the mountains and did a few hike-to runs it really didn’t seem like I was sucking wind as bad as I did in the past and when I got to the top I said to myself “we had a wod last week that was way worse than that”.

Are there any special memories/ achievements during your time here that you would like to share? Participating in the Memorial Day Murph event.  It was a really fun event and felt good raising money for a good cause while dragging my wife on the last mile run.

What advice would you give to a person just joining CrossFit SISU? Keep coming. You are going to get your ass kicked for the first few months and learning all the CrossFit talk can be a little overwhelming, but there are really good people at both gyms and make it fun to come back each day.  Also, the guys at noon really mean well and they are not that creepy, so ladies you do not need to avoid this class any longer.

Something you might not know about me is? I have had only one job since graduating college.

Favorite WOD? Anything with pull-ups, double-unders or body-weight exercises.  You know the wimpy stuff, right John Calyor!

Least Favorite WOD? Anything with wallballs or when Mark Andrada beats me.

Favorite Lift? Cleans.

Least favorite lift? Snatches.