by Jake Thompson

Chase Kirkwood

I compete so that the past versions of me can hold their head up ...
Chase Kirkwood

I compete so that the past versions of me can hold their head up and be proud of what they went through.  I compete so the future versions can be prepared and ready to take on what may come.

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

Howdy Friends, I’m Chase Kirkwood from Mesquite, Texas (Go Wranglers!).  I am Rangers/Cowboys loving, proud native Texan.  I stayed in college so long I earned multiple degrees, Kinesiology and History with a minor in English (which you will not be able to tell from the commas and parenthesis in these answers).

I now have a built career as a construction Project Manager.   I grew up playing football, baseball, and one awful day playing soccer…the coach wanted us to run around the park, THE WHOLE PARK!  Since 90 feet sprints aren’t bad, I stuck with baseball into college.  After that career ended in ability forced retirement, I started running marathons and half-marathons (shocking after that soccer statement, huh?).

After getting bored with running, I needed something new.  CrossFit was cheaper than boxing, so I very tentatively tried out a great box in Crossfit 972 before moving across the street from Crossfit Ammo.  I fell in love with CF at Ammo, AMAZING place with AMAZING coaches and people. 

2. What’s a typical day look like for you?

 

A typical day right now is not what a typical day normally looks like, I hope that makes sense.  Until about 2 weeks ago a typical day started a 4:30 so that I could make it to Frisco Crossfit for the 5:30 workout.  I’d typically answer a few emails/phone calls before heading to whatever project I needed to visit for the day.  Home between 4:30 and 6:30 (if 4:30, definitely squeeze in a game of Madden) make dinner, watch whatever was recorded until bedtime.  It wasn’t as boring as it sounds.

3. What’s one life goal you’re currently pursuing outside of fitness?

I now focus on being a positive a fantastic father.  I’m at this strange point in life where I don’t have a specific goal outside of fitness and my kid.  I’m 36, I know you looked at the age and the picture and thought, “that handsome fella must have meant 26!” but nope, 36 and it seems like I am figuring out life but do not have a specific goal.  Sure, I’d love to own my own neighborhood gym or write for Randy Rogers but everything is really abstract right now.  The goals are more family based, work, be a good person…

4. What does it mean to you to Compete Every Day?

For me, Compete Every Day means to continue to fight through.  I’m ultra-competitive; chess, baseball, daily WOD’s, I want to destroy competition.  I don’t care who you are either.  Friend, girlfriend, CrossFit rival…doesn’t matter, I want to win.  Hell, I’ve even tried to win at Yoga…but this really isn’t about that.  Compete Every Day to me is fighting through to win the day.  It’s internal, you decide how you did that day or that week.  If you didn’t win, it’s having the fire to get up and do it again the next day no matter how high or low you may be.  Compete!

5. What is one obstacle you’re proud you’ve overcome?

One..?  Dang.  Somewhere around 18 I peaked at 305 lbs, so I guess I’d have to say not giving up and beginning both a physical and mental fight for my life is something I am incredibly proud of overcoming.

6. What/who do you compete for?

I compete for life.  I compete for that 305 lbs teenage version of me that harbored so much self hate and shame when he looked in the mirror.  I compete for the 20’s version of me that though every night was party but also grew up.  I compete for now, for my 40’s and 50’s and 60’s and so on.  I compete so that the past versions of me can hold their head up and be proud of what they went through.  I compete so the future versions can be prepared and ready to take on what may come.

Most importantly, I compete for my daughter.  I get up everyday and train each day for her.  I want her to be healthy, to be happy and to always know how much her daddy loves her.  That is why I Compete Every Day.

Connect with Chase: Instagram

The post Why I Compete: Chase Kirkwood appeared first on Compete Every Day.

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