6 Questions With the Owner of CrossFit Port Clinton

Can you share the story behind your passion for fitness and why you decided to open this gym?

Fitness was just part of who I was from a young age. That carried into adulthood, and eventually I found CrossFit at CrossFit M2 in Findlay, Ohio. That community changed things for me. Then I moved to CrossFit 1926 and became a coach, and that was it. That was the moment I knew I had found my calling. Coaching people, watching them do things they never thought they could do, being part of that process, there is nothing like it. Opening CrossFit Port Clinton was the natural next step. I wanted to build a place where people who feel like they don't belong in a gym can walk in and actually feel at home.

What is your number one tip for someone completely new to exercising who wants to make it a habit?

Start small. That's it. Most people go too hard too fast, spend the next four days unable to walk, and then quit because it feels terrible. You don't need to destroy yourself to make progress. Show up, do the work, and leave feeling like you could have done a little more. That's how you build a habit. That's how you keep coming back. Consistency beats intensity every single time, especially in the beginning.

Can you debunk a common misconception people have about CrossFit?

That it's too intense. I hear it all the time. "I need to get in shape before I try CrossFit." That one makes me laugh every time because that's literally what we're here for. Every single workout we do is scalable. That means it meets you exactly where you are, whether you're a former athlete or someone who hasn't worked out in 10 years. Nobody walks in here and gets thrown into the deep end. We build you up. We go at your pace. The only thing that's required is that you show up.

How important is it to align your diet with your workout, and what are some simple nutrition tips people can start with?

It matters more than most people want to hear. You can put in great work at the gym and completely cancel it out with what you eat. But I'm not going to give you a 47-step meal plan. Two things make the biggest difference for most people: eat more protein and cut back on added sugar. That's it. More protein keeps you full, helps you recover, and builds the muscle that makes you feel strong. Less added sugar means less energy crashes, less inflammation, and less of the stuff that's quietly working against you. Start there. Don't overcomplicate it.

What are some effective exercises people can start with, even at home?

Air squats and walking. Seriously. People always want the complicated answer and the truth is boring. Air squats teach your body one of the most fundamental movement patterns it needs, and you can do them anywhere with zero equipment. Walking gets your heart rate up, clears your head, and is something almost anyone can do regardless of where they're starting from. If you are completely new to exercise, those two things done consistently will change how you feel faster than you think. Build the habit first. Add complexity later.

What advice do you have for people who feel intimidated by the idea of joining a gym?

Schedule a No Sweat Intro. That's my honest answer. It's a free, no-pressure conversation where we sit down, talk about where you're at, what you want, and whether we're a good fit. You don't have to jump into a class. You don't have to do anything you're not ready for. You just have to show up and talk. Most people walk out of that conversation feeling completely different than they walked in. The intimidation is almost always about the unknown, and a No Sweat Intro takes the unknown off the table. We've had people come in convinced CrossFit wasn't for them and leave as members. Just come in and talk to us.