Darik Steinbach – SISU Featured Athlete

About Darik

I am originally from Rochester, MN. I played football for 4 years at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN and have been married to my wife Tara for almost 17 years. We live in downtown Minneapolis in the North Loop neighborhood, and we have a 10 month old pug dog named Linus. I am a residential realtor in Wayzata and have helped people buy and sell houses for over 15 years. Tara and I also own residential rental properties in the west metro. Our goal is to own twenty homes!

Finding crossfit

After college, running became my primary method of exercise. I think I’ve run fourteen marathons, but I like crossfit much better! I started crossfitting after being very disappointed after getting weighed at a doctor’s appointment. I knew I needed a change, so I reached out and SISU answered back!

I’m so much stronger now than when I started. I was so green during my first crossfit class that the coach said I should take it easy! I may have been strong cardiovascularly before, but my strength was really weak. I felt a great sense of accomplishment when I could start doing the normal crossfit classes at RX weights. I also remember doing my first handstand pushups, which I really thought would never happen.  Or legless rope climbs!

Advice to others

I would tell someone new to crossfit to just keep showing up. Come to enjoy the people and get a workout. Don’t worry about how much weight you’re lifting – that will come with time. Focus on completing the movements properly and getting through the workouts.  We’ve all been beginners, and we get it. Just keep working!

Nutrition coaching

Nutrition coaching with coach Christina Schlitz has been a real game-changer for me.  I’ve managed to lose 25 pounds in 3 months while maintaining my strength. I feel great, and my crossfit performance is really improving. Christina made nutrition simple for me, which is really nice. I have never worked with someone who actually knows what I should do. I had always just read about some diet and then did it, but it was not sustainable and likely not healthy either. I feel like my work with Christina is very sustainable, and healthy too!

Favorite workout: Holleyman   

Secret Ninja Movement: I’m secretly good at rope climbs, I think!  Or at least I like them….

Not so favorite movement: Box Jumps are the death of me.

Favorite cheat meal: Fave cheat meal is defs a bacon cheeseburger with fries!!!