April Athlete of the Month: Danny Bell

Congratulations, Danny! You are the April Athlete of the Month!!!

Danny is one of our youngest athletes at the gym at 15 years old, but he’s already been at NoCoast for 3 years! Watching Danny develop as an athlete over this time has been truly eye opening and is indicative as to how the CrossFit program can help our younger athletes. When Danny started he was 115 lbs. and had much less body awareness. Over the years, we’ve seen him mature into one of the top 14-15 year old CrossFitter’s in the world, finishing 26th in this year's CrossFit Open. Not only is he excelling in the gym, but Danny is using his training to excel in a variety of sports from cross country, to wrestling, and football.

Congrats, Danny, on all of your success, keep working hard and we look forward to watching you in the next stage of the CrossFit Games!

Quotes from Danny:

“But during football, for example, I hit pretty hard and I think most of that comes back to the strength I've gained through CrossFit. Another example could be cross country, I have the mental ability to push myself through the pain, through the discomfort, and that really comes back to CrossFit, and knowing that feeling so well it's like a friend almost.”

“CrossFit has been a major piece in my overall wellness. It's always something I'm looking forward to in the day. I'm always happier and more focused after the workout. CrossFit has become my therapist If I'm irritated, I jump to the gym and I walk out ready, excited, and happy for whatever's next. It's also become my doctor with a nice little hit of adrenaline. I'm walking out just fine to say the least.”

Age/Weight:

I'm 15 years old and on a good day 150 lbs, but really like 145 lbs.

Athletic/Sports history/highlights:

I've done a little bit of everything such as cross country, track, football, soccer, wrestling, and I'm hoping to join the dive team this year.

How long have you been CrossFitting?

I've been CrossFitting for 3 years now.

How did you get into CrossFit?

I got into CrossFit by my parents, they would tell me about brutal workouts and the first thing that jumped in my mind was, "oh that sounds fun, can I do it?"

What is your favorite & least favorite WOD/CrossFit movement?

My favorite workouts are anything without the bike, but I like anything with burpee box jumps, pull-ups, or anything I beat Dan in.

What is your most memorable CrossFit moment?

My most memorable CrossFit moment has to be the time when I was about to lift a heavy lift and everyone was screaming at me, I just remember the feeling of knowing there's no way I miss this!

How does CrossFit impact the other sports you play?

I think CrossFit has impacted the other sports I play mostly by how sore I am when I get to that part of the day. But during football, for example, I hit pretty hard and I think most of that comes back to the strength I've gained through CrossFit. Another example could be cross country, I have the mental ability to push myself through the pain, through the discomfort, and that really comes back to CrossFit, and knowing that feeling so well it's like a friend almost.

How does nutrition play a role in your fitness and recovery?

Nutrition has played a major role in my recovery and health. Last week I went off my diet for a couple of days and because of that I didn't have the fuel to hold myself to the standard I do and I ended up straight up falling asleep, passing out right there. So, not only has what I put into my body helped with faster recovery but definitely fuels me through my various activities throughout the day.

How has CrossFit improved your overall wellness?

CrossFit has been a major piece in my overall wellness. It's always something I'm looking forward to in the day. I'm always happier and more focused after the workout. CrossFit has become my therapist, I'm irritated, I jump to the gym and I walk out ready, excited, and happy for whatever's next. It's also become my doctor with a nice little hit of adrenaline. I'm walking out just fine to say the least.

How has CrossFit changed your family?

CrossFit has brought me and my family closer by bringing more enjoyable things to talk and obsess about.

Advice to new people:

Some advice I give to new people would be to just start. The community and atmosphere are so welcoming and the workouts are amazing. Your health will not just improve physically but mentally as well.