Athlete Spotlight - Anthony Lollo
"Find the right balance between doing things you're good at and enjoy, and the skills that take a lot more work."
If you’ve spent any time in the 5:30 or 6:30 classes, you know Anthony. He’s been a part of our community December 2016 with over 1,300 classes and counting! His on-ramp was with Mike Haggerty and his first official WOD on December 29th was a long chipper with 200+ double unders (that he didn't have at the time) and dumbbell snatches.
Outside the gym, Anthony is a Director of Data Science at the Yale School of Public Health, focusing on health economics. Most days are a mix of work, getting a workout in, and taking plenty of walks with his fluffy husky, Hunter.
Anthony began going to the gym while he was in grad school, and looking for a way to break up long days in the lab and at the computer. He didn’t have much of a fitness routine (and had never touched a barbell) before CFNH/Strength Haven. He didn't have much experience so he was looking for a more structured routine.
Through the years Anthony has stuck around for the coaching and the people. The movements didn’t come easily at first - he says he struggled with most barbell movements and his early power cleans were rough - but the coaches continued to support him and he kept showing up. Now, Anthony has some of the cleanest moves in the gym!
Anthony is most proud of the consistency he has built into his routine with going to the gym. He says it is "[in] large part due to how great the community is. Going to the gym and hanging out with the usual crowd at 5:30 or 6:30 is just fun!"
Since joining, Anthony’s gotten stronger and feels healthier overall. Most importantly, training is just something he does now. It’s built into his life (and his husband, Ryan, has gotten back into the routine with him, too).
His advice to new members, “There are a lot of movements, and it takes time to get good at all of them. Find the balance between the things you enjoy and the ones that challenge you.”
