Pam Brooks
Month you were born in:
December
Where you are originally from and/or where you live now:
Grew up in Avon, now in Raynham
What days/times you typically train at VBC:
Mon-Fri 5:30 pm and Sunday mornings- a regular at Powerlifting and OLY classes
My proudest accomplishment(s) in my training:
FINALLY getting double unders, two top 5 finishes worldwide in the 2015 Open in the masters scaled division, a podium finish at a local comp
Some current training goals and/or personal goals are:
2015 has been an amazing year for attaining some of my most ambitious personal goals. I completed the part-time MBA program at B.U. and am one exam away from becoming a CPA! I plan to spend some time relaxing and having fun with family and friends, celebrating my achievements and traveling.
For training, I’ve got too many goals to list! I need to work on pull-ups and toes to bar before the Open. I want to be more competitive as a master’s athlete and these skills would help me get there. In the coming year I’d like to hit a 140# snatch (this will take a LOT of work), and perhaps a 325# back squat and deadlift.
What’s the best thing about Vagabond:
There are so many things I love about Vagabond! Nearly four years ago I decided to give CrossFit a shot, so with high reservation I finally picked up the phone and signed up for Onramp. Back then these were sessions with KO himself (yes, really…and mine was one-on-one!) As intimidating as it was I was hooked from day one. I went straight into what we now know as Fitness and never looked back. I remember each week staying after class to marvel at the athletes doing OLY and wanted so badly to join in, but was far too intimidated. I think Kevin noticed and gave me the nudge I needed (ok, maybe he yelled at me a little). I’m pretty sure I was the worst cleaner of all time since I tend to overthink things, but with John’s expertise and a whole lot of practice I’ve come a long way.
It’s been wonderful to see how far Kevin has come in such a short time. Soon after I joined Vagabond his gym really began to take off, and since then he’s put his heart and soul into making sure we are healthy, happy and safe. He has always been in tune with the needs of his clients and developed the three training phases to meet everyone’s unique goals. Since then he married his sweetheart and now has two beautiful children…so many great things to be thankful for!
Another great thing that sets Vagabond apart is the expert coaching staff. Each and every one of them care about the members and will make sure you’re doing your best day in and day out. I’d like to give a special thank you to Andrew for helping me so much over the years between powerlifting and regular classes. He is a great role model with his dedication and passion for training and the sport itself, including his amazing performance at the East Regional along with all of Team VBC this year!
It may sound cliché, but CrossFit really is so much more than just a workout. It’s a way of life for us, about building friendships, encouraging others, giving back to the community, and trying to be the best version of ourselves each and every day. I go into Vagabond knowing that I’ll leave just a little better than I was when I walked in. This usually entails some pain and frustration, but we have to trust that it’s all part of the process. In order to stay focused I follow the three tenets Kevin put up on the wall ….Dedication, Patience and Consistency. This work ethic and mental toughness has transcended into so many other aspects of my life and has made me realize I’m capable of nearly anything if I’m willing to work hard enough for it!