Mike Duffy – SISU Featured Athlete
Meet Mike Duffy – our SISU Featured Athlete!
About Mike
I was born and raised in south Minneapolis along with a younger brother and older sister. I went to college at Metro State University for Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology. Before I decided to get into personal training, I was a pilot, and although it was a childhood dream of mine to fly (thank you, Top Gun) and some days I have the urge to get back in the saddle, I know in my heart I made the right career decision.
I have been a personal trainer for the past 15 years, with certifications including NASM, RKC Kettlebell, FMS, Paul Chek, Z-Health, USA Olympic Weightlifting, and Precision Nutrition. As a personal trainer, the philosophy I like to follow is a combination of less is more and push it until the point of breaking. I enjoy training a variety of clients, ranging from seniors that want to increase mobility and brain function to the athlete that may have a sport-specific need.
I am also a martial artists of 24 years and have acquired instructorships and am ranked under some of the best martial artists of our time and in some of the most effective arts given to us today. Everyone has the ability to protect themselves, and my job as a modern day martial artist is to help you find your way and to offer tools to be successful in a close quarters situation.
I believe life is about connecting with others. My family and friends, developing relationships, and living a fruitful life of love and joy are very important to me. My biggest fear is living in fear not love, and one day I would like to swim with sharks because they scare the hell outta me.
Finding CrossFit
I have been doing CrossFit for about a year. For years, my training consisted of a standard bodybuilding split, then I got into Olympic lifting and focused more on that as well as compound movements. Then a buddy, Ryan Trask, said “Duff, you wanna go check out this CrossFit SISU?” When I walked in the door, I knew right away that SISU was a place I could let it rip and be me. And mainly it was because of the people. Everyone is fantastic. Everyone is so welcoming and a lot of fun to be around.
Benefits and Goals
CrossFit has been so beneficial overall! It has given me more mobility and power in other aspects of my life. One of the biggest areas of change has definitely been my mobility. I focus way more on it now. If I don’t spend time doing mobility drills, my body does not run efficiently. I hope to give competition a go sometime in the coming year.
One thing I’m proud of is that I have been a model/actor/stuntman for the last 10 years. The time in the gym and the training schedule to be able to look the part on screen or in print is a lot of hard work but is very rewarding at the end of the day.
The Whole Experience
If someone was hesitant about trying CrossFit, I would tell them that it is something that you experience. It is not only a workout, but it is also a great community of people. Yes, the workouts are tough, but that is part of the challenge and what makes us strong, not just physically but mentally as well. SISU exemplifies all of that – the people, the community, the whole experience.
Secret Ninja Movement
That is classified. A true Ninja never reveals his secrets…. Unless of course he is bribed with food or tequila.
Nemesis Movement
Burpees. Notice I am not around when burpees are on the menu? Lol.
Favorite Cheat Meal
Pizza. I don’t discriminate. All types from all places.