Congratulations to Steve Todd, our August 2023 member of the month here at Viking Athletics! Steve recently became a father, and found tremendous success with our spring 2023 nutrition challenge. When not in the gym, Steve is a coffee aficionado, and an avid golfer and lacrosse player. Keep reading to learn more about him!

• What are your hobbies/interest/talents outside of the gym?

I was fortunate enough to become a dad in the last seven months, so I’ve been spending a lot of quality time with my son! I also really enjoy playing golf and lacrosse and try to play year-round. Professionally, I am an engineer and work for a consulting company. My ideal form of relaxation is sipping a double (or triple) espresso outside while listening to a podcast.

• Share with us one thing that most people do NOT know about you?

I hiked the entire W Trail in Torres del Paine (Patagonia) in 2019.

• How long have you been with us at Viking Athletics?

About 16 months. I joined in April 2022.

• Take us back to your first week here. How did you feel? Remember the workout?

It was my first time back in a CrossFit box since 2018.  After my intro session with Erik, which by the way was an awesome way to establish my baseline at the time, I attended either the 6AM or 4PM classes. I was extremely nervous, as I hadn’t touched a proper barbell in over four years, was not in the best shape, and had recently moved to the area. After the first workout I immediately remembered how much I missed this style of training. The workout was a variation of “Cindy” in anticipation of the “Murph” workout coming up the following month. The other members were very welcoming, and the coaches provided amazing instruction and scaling options as I was getting back into the CrossFit groove.

• What moment/achievement are you most proud of at Viking Athletics?

I am most proud of the strength I’ve gained in a seemingly short period of time. A close second is completing the last Viking Athletics Nutrition Challenge. With a busy personal life and work schedule that involves traveling, I had to really narrow down my priorities and strength was the top one. I was consistent on a weekly basis for 6-7 months with respect to certain movements. This is especially true for cleans and power cleans. Prior to Viking Athletics, my 1RM power clean was 185 lb. Just a few weeks ago I was able to hit 250 lb. The power clean programming leading up to our test day was incredible and, aside from the general increase in load, I feel much more comfortable performing the movement and cycling with moderate load.

• Design your perfect workout?

Descending rep scheme of heavy deadlifts, assault bike calories, power cleans, and running.

• What is your least favorite movement?

Double unders. I don’t really have them but haven’t put the time into them. Improving my double unders will be one of my goals in 2024.

• Summarize your lifestyle in 5 words or less.

Drink coffee, commit and persevere.

• Have you experienced any changes in your lifestyle since joining Viking Athletics?

Absolutely. I’ve started to appreciate fitness in a much more comprehensive and sustainable sense, both in and out of the gym. After my last CrossFit box and before coming to Viking Athletics, I would just do 3-4 HIIT sessions per week and was unknowingly just burning myself out. I’ve learned to better balance my training, focusing on both strength and conditioning. Not every session in the gym needs to be a bruiser where your heart rate is maxed out for 60 minutes. I’ve also learned that rest days are necessary, accessory work is important, and the food you put into your body matters. For years, I convinced myself I could out train a poor diet. After participating in the Viking Athletics Nutrition Challenge this past spring, I was amazed at what a few months of a high protein, cleaner diet did for my overall mood and athletic performance.

• What advice do you have for anyone who is thinking about joining or who has recently joined?

Trust the process/programming and don’t be afraid to try new things. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is the first step to growth and change. In just a few short months, you’ll undoubtedly see improvements in most aspects of your life as a result. Not to mention, the community is so welcoming and encouraging that you will keep coming back.