December's Athlete of the Month

Name: Matt McGanity

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Age: 33

Occupation: Investment Manager

Time to highlight one of our spectacular athletes! What makes up an Athlete of the Month? Not RX’ing every workout or lifting the most weight. This athlete exhibits consistency and a hard work mentality. Every time they come to the gym they have a good attitude and give their all. This person is also welcoming of others, helping make CFHD the best community there is. Each month we choose a different athlete and post some fun facts about them to help y’all get to know them better.

Congrats to Matt McGanity! We have loved getting to know this guy over the past year. Not only is his commitment to the gym admirable, but he is one of the most genuine and nice guys we know. He knows that when he walks in the gym, whether he feels like being there or not, he will walk out better. His positive attitude is one we should all strive for. We are so lucky he walked is H Dub's doors one year ago!

Tell us a little bit about yourself: I, and almost all of my family are from Texas. I was born in Dallas and moved to Atlanta when I was roughly 5. I did my undergrad at Alabama and moved to Nashville for graduate school and have been here since. I am a huge sports fan, enjoy spending time outdoors (particularly with my 10+ year old yellow lab), and love cooking in my free time.

What were your goals when you started training? I played sports year-round growing up and loved being part of a team and having a common goal with others. I admittedly just let myself go and didn’t have a great balance in life as my 20s progressed. I needed a community to be a part of again with common goals to motivate me to regain the things I used to enjoy.

How long have you been at H Dub and how did you get into it? It will be essentially a year in January (think my no-sweat intro was mid-month). I have a good friend who has been doing CrossFit for years and loves it. CrossFit created a lot of balance in his life as well as great personal connections. Despite my nervous apprehensions regarding the physical demands, it felt like his experience was congruent with what I was looking for.

What is your favorite/least favorite thing we do in training? I am still a bit of a newb at this so my most favorite things lean towards the things I couldn’t/never-thought I could do in the past. With that in mind, I think gymnastic exercises are my favorite exercises—although they are still not my best.

Least favorite is easy but I am sure at some point they will become my friend—double-unders. Right now, I spend a lot of time whipping myself in the leg with the rope, and then Jessica laughs at me. I think this makes it better?

How has H Dub positively affected you? It’s hard to ignore the environment we are in with Covid-19. I came in with the physical aspiration of just wanting to challenge myself and see what I was still capable of. H Dub made this aspiration visible well before I thought was possible. What is more important, is the community involved. I didn’t know what to expect and was intimidated at first. Little did I know H Dub was going to be my mental oasis in 2020. H Dub has been so instrumental in my physical health in a year that demands it given the risks that are prevalent today. However, this pales in comparison the mental reprieve H Dub has provided during Covid and “Work from Home”.

What advice do you have for newcomers? I am going to piggy back on the answer above. Invest in the community around you as much, or more, than your near-term goals. I remember reading Will Mainord’s advice about not comparing yourself to others given different levels of experience and it was spot on.

The workouts we all experience are very difficult. The internal commitment isn’t necessarily about the workout you are about to embark on. When you find yourself looking forward to being at the gym each day to see your friends (coaches obviously included) the results follow. Even if you have to take it easy one day, just show up and enjoy those around you. Everybody, including yourself, will benefit.

What is something no one at the gym knows about you? It’s a little weird but I consume 2+ bottles of Tabasco a week. It’s actually a bit of a problem.

Who are 3 people you would have a meal or drink with dead or alive? Historical figure: Leonardo da Vinci;

Sports Figure: Nick Saban;

Pop Culture: 1980s Eddie Murphy

If you had an intro song when you walk into the gym what would it be: I am so bad with music. Can I just cop out and say “Crazy Train” to honor Larry (Chipper) Jones?

Favorite Sport? Baseball. I think I have watched 75% of Braves games in the last 25 years.

If you could have one super power what would it be? Flying

What is your favorite cheat meal? No second thoughts, Pharmacy Burger with tater tots.