Congratulations to Andrew Gillis as our Athlete Spotlight!
Andrew has been a part of the Cynergy community for over 7 years now and continues to constantly strive to improve as an athlete and as a competitor. He is a dedicated, accomplished, yet very humble athlete, putting in the work where ever it is needed and without a complaint. This honor is well deserved! Proud to have you on the team and to call you a friend.
BIG CONGRATS for securing a spot in the Online Qualifier for The CrossFit Games! We are so proud of you!
What do you do for work:
After spending 4 years in Canada while attending university, I had a job opportunity to work in Australia where I ended up living for 4 years. After working there for about a year, a colleague and I formed a company by the name of Lloyd International (Australia). Our focus at that time was handling the movement of cargo (via ocean and air) from the United States to Australia. Over the years we added Peru, Chile, the United Kingdom and New Zealand to our countries of service. I tend to pitch our services to companies that I have an interest in their products. Therefore, we handle such commodities as gym equipment and protein powder which caters to my CrossFit interests and companies that manufacture sailing supplies which go to my love of sailing. However, the moving of equipment for the mining industry is our biggest market as that is the major industry of Australia.
What would you like us to know about your family:
My wife is my biggest blessing. It sounds hard to believe, but we both knew the night we met that we would spend the rest of our lives together. We have a son and daughter who many of you have met and a dog named Sydney that comes with us wherever we go. We enjoy spending time together – our favorite activity as a family is sailing.
What is one thing you may not know about me:
My first name is Lloyd. I have always gone by my middle name.
How long have you been CrossFitting:
It has been about 7 years…. I enjoy challenging myself and the camaraderie. I am a goal-orientated person, so CrossFit continues to keep my interest. The workouts clear my head for the workday ahead.
What time do you train:
I am a morning person: I trained at 5 AM for about 4 years and enjoyed it very much. However, I attend the 6:00 AM class now as the extra hour of sleep is needed – and there is a great group at 6:00 AM to train with. I am very thankful for the coaching, friendship and laughter shared at these classes with the coaches and other athletes which continues to bring me back.
What is your favorite lift and why:
Overhead squat is my favorite lift. I think the lift has as much to do with your will as your strength. I think it is also the lift that has the least technique associated with it (which is also why I probably like it).
What is your favorite WOD and Why:
CHELSEA is my favorite WOD: It is long and challenging but doable. It is a fun one to do in a large group. The longer the workout the better for me. My other favorite is MURPH. I like MURPH for what it represents. It makes me think of what others have sacrificed and it is very difficult but also strategic.
Most memorable time at CrossFit:
I struggled greatly – for years – to be able to string muscle ups together. Eventually they came to me, but it took a great amount of time and training. One day earlier this year I did a Saturday workout with Larry where we each did two muscle ups and we were going to stop when one of us failed. After about 25 rounds neither of us failed. It felt good to be able do that after such a struggle.
How has CrossFit inspired your life outside the box:
CrossFit has helped me work on reaching other goals in my life. Discipline at the box, I have found, transfers to other aspects of my life. I have been doing intermittent fasting for about 18 months and it has just become the way I live now. I do it 5 days a week which is perfect for me. I have never felt healthier. I thank Di and Cindy for introducing the concept of intermittent fasting to me and teaching me the importance of putting the right type of “fuel” into our bodies.
Current Cross Fit goals
# 1 is to stay healthy. Other than that, I need to work on the technique on my lifts. The snatch is the lift I like least. I believe it is because this lift requires the most skill. Although, I would like to make it to the Cross Fit Games “for old people.” It is a goal I have not yet reached.
What are your current life goals:
Although I have different goals personally, professionally, and athletically my ultimate goal is to spend as much time as I can with my family and friends. I believe that our time is the most valuable thing we have. It is our choice to do what we want with it. I can say without hesitation that the time I have invested at Cynergy, over the years has been time very well spent. I am very thankful for the friends I have made and the excellent coaching I have received. I also have great admiration and respect for Cindy who has been a great friend and coach to me.
Andrew’s WOD
EMOM 25:
- Minute 1: 11 wall balls 14/20
- Minute 2: 30 second HS hold on the wall
- Minute 3: 2 rope climbs
- Minute 4: 2 wall walks. Nose must hit the wall for point
- Minute 5: 3 bar muscle ups.
5 rounds for 25 minutes
Points: 1 point earned for every successful round. Perfect score 25. However, 1 point extra earned per round if you can get 5 bar muscle ups. Therefore, maximum possible score of 30.
Follow Andrew’s journey, read: HYROX Competition Training at Cynergy Training: Pushing Limits Together