October Athlete of the Month: Ethan LaHoda

Congratulations Ethan! You are our October Athlete of the Month!!!

Although Ethan is still pretty new to NoCoast and to CrossFit, that hasn’t stopped him from diving in head first and committing to the program and our community. Ethan has been working hard to improve his weaknesses all while continuing to crush WODs day in and day out! His dedication to working hard, mobility, working on weaknesses, and investing in our community has truly helped him thrive. He is no stranger to hard work or athletics either! He owns his own lacrosse company and dedicates his life to teaching young kids his passion! He is a great athlete inside and outside of the gym and we are so incredibly lucky to have you a part of NoCoast, Ethan! Thank you for all you have done for us already and we can’t wait to see how much you continue to improve!

Quotes from Ethan:

“Crossfit continues to make me a better person everyday. In addition to the many physical benefits like improved strength, endurance, and mobility, I continue to find new ways to push myself mentally as well. Covid has presented a time where adversity and challenges seem to be constant, and pushing through adversity in workouts helps me respond to adversity better in my

everyday life. It has also led to many new friendships, an endless amount of milestones to strive for, and a consistent and positive outlet. I’m grateful for Sam, Dan, and the NoCoast community for welcoming me into the family, and I look forward to many more grueling and life changing workouts and experiences with you all.”

“One of the primary reasons I believe in sports is because of the many life lessons they teach us. Crossfit constantly reminds me of the importance of teaching kids how to be resilient, committed, and accountable, and these are values that I try to instill in the players I coach every day. As coaches, we believe that in order for your athletes to trust you, you have to live by the

standards you create for them. This means that in order to foster this trust, I must be just as accountable and driven as I expect them to be. The added accountability and discipline in my life allows me to help them build these skills as well.”

Age/Weight:

5’10” - 175 lbs.

Athletic/Sports history/highlights:

Growing up, I played just about every sport you can think of. Once I found lacrosse in 6th grade, it became my passion and after my freshman year of high school, I focused primarily on lacrosse. I was an all-state midfielder/captain at Monarch High School and played college lacrosse at CSU where I was fortunate to be part of two MCLA National Championship teams. I now live vicariously through the kids I coach, and am privileged to be around the sport I love every day.

How long have you been CrossFitting?

Close to four months.

How did you get into CrossFit?

I was getting bored with my same strength training routine at Lifetime, and wanted to find something more community based and competitive. I decided I wanted to spice things up, and Crossfit seemed like a great place to start.

What is your favorite WOD/CrossFit movement?

My favorite WOD is anything that combines running, deadlifts, or pullups.

What is your least favorite WOD/CrossFit movement?

Overhead squats (airbike is a close second)

What is your most memorable CrossFit moment?

My first muscle up. I was pretty discouraged at the time about my overhead mobility and other deficiencies. Getting my first muscle up reinforced my belief in myself, and helped me learn to embrace being uncomfortable, and pushing through exercises or workouts that I may not be very good at.

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

Crossfit continues to prove the importance of taking care of my body, and being mindful of what I consume. Since I started Crossfit a few months ago, I have made more of a conscious effort to consume food that is conducive to better performance and recovery. I’ve found a good balance of fueling my body with nutrient dense foods, while still leaving room for my favorite foods/meals.

How has CrossFit improved your overall wellness?

Crossfit continues to make me a better person everyday. In addition to the many physical benefits like improved strength, endurance, and mobility, I continue to find new ways to push myself mentally as well. Covid has presented a time where adversity and challenges seem to be constant, and pushing through adversity in workouts helps me respond to adversity better in my

everyday life. It has also led to many new friendships, an endless amount of milestones to strive for, and a consistent and positive outlet. I’m grateful for Sam, Dan, and the NoCoast community for welcoming me into the family, and I look forward to many more grueling and life changing workouts and experiences with you all.

How has CrossFit influenced your job as a lacrosse coach?

One of the primary reasons I believe in sports is because of the many life lessons they teach us. Crossfit constantly reminds me of the importance of teaching kids how to be resilient, committed, and accountable, and these are values that I try to instill in the players I coach every day. As coaches, we believe that in order for your athletes to trust you, you have to live by the

standards you create for them. This means that in order to foster this trust, I must be just as accountable and driven as I expect them to be. The added accountability and discipline in my life allows me to help them build these skills as well.

Advice to new people:

Take the leap! It’s easy to knock something new because it’s challenging or different, but every new exercise or milestone makes all of the hard work worth it. Learning how to be “comfortable, being uncomfortable” applies to all aspects of life, and is a multiplier for personal growth.