Member Spotlight - Matt Ogawa

MEMBER SPOTLIGHTIn the ninth installment of our "Member Spotlight", we're featuring another one of the first members to join the SHOP! His SHOP shirt says #11, but not counting me and Lauren he would break into the top 10. He signed up on January 2nd, which was technically before the Grand Opening...so he's definitely one of the early adopters. Also, at the Grand Opening, he presented me with an awesome gift...it's a picture of the front of the building with notes and signatures from everyone in attendance at our first "official" workout. So for everyone else who hasn't given me a gift...you should be ashamed of yourselves!

Matt Ogawa

First, give us a little background on yourself.I grew up in Eastern Oregon, a small, rural community of about 9,000 people and home of the tater-tot (you're welcome). I've worked in college admissions for the past twelve years -- it's an interesting gig, and a funny one at times, that has taken me across the country and allowed me to work with students at a pivotal time in their life when they ask the question, "Where am I going to go to college?" If you think about that time in your life when you were 17 or so, this was a big question and the answer probably had a big impact on you that ultimately shaped the years that followed. I feel very lucky to work with students and their families as they navigate through that question but it can, for many involved in the process, be a stressful one. Tina Fey sums it best up here: http://bit.do/tinafeyWhat got you started and how long have you been at the SHOP?I officially got started with CrossFit in January 2015, close to when Drew first opened The SHOP in Corvallis. I had some informal experience with it when I was in the Army - our Drill Sergeant was a Coach at a local box and sometimes substituted CrossFit workouts into our daily physical training regimen. We didn't have barbells, plates or kettlebells but he integrated the concepts of high-intensity interval training and sprints, pullups, push-ups, burpees (so many burpees), sandbags, etc. into some of our routines. I remember those type of workout days being harder (and shorter, mind you) than any of the generic Basic Training / Boot Camp workout days that were regularly prescribed.

With what movement(s) have you seen the most progress?

When I first started at The SHOP, I couldn't correctly do a kettlebell swing. Like at all. I remember having to be shown repeatedly how to do it and even having to be be filmed and shown the proper technique. I just wasn't getting it. But through Drew's coaching (and patience) it finally clicked and as the form was perfected the weights increased.

What do you like to do outside the gym?

Sleep.

What movement(s) would you like to improve on in the next few months?

I would say I would like to improve upon the Deadlift, Power Clean and Pull Ups. I broke both my ulna and radius several years ago right before the finish line in a half-marathon obstacle course and so these moves have always been very challenging for me. With two large plates and eleven screws, my arm can have a particularly mechanical feel to it when conducting some of these moves to a point that it can negatively psyche me out. I have to very mindful of weight and overly conscious of form.

thankfully this is the "before" pic from the race where he broke his arm

Favorite place to eat in/near Corvallis?

I don't know of many places that I could say, "I could eat there every day of my life," but the new place downtown, Taco Vino, I could eat there Every. Day. Of my life. https://www.tacovinocorvallis.com/

What advice would you give members just starting out at the SHOP?

To new members of the SHOP, I would say to make a routine in your days of the week and time of day that you attend. That way it's built into your schedule and you can just plan on going. Over time and as needed, adjust and adapt accordingly. For my job, I travel 17 weeks per year so it's a constant balancing act, but having set times built in when I am here allows me to have this as a set part of my day. Additionally, FACT: My Spotify playlist exclusively made for the SHOP is the best playlist so be sure to request it. http://bit.do/mattspotify

one of the places he gets to travel for work

For prospective members who are thinking about joining, one of my biggest hesitations was that I felt that I needed a gym membership that was open all hours of the day (ie, a 24 Hour Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Dixon Recreation Center, etc). I actually go to the gym more now than I used to when I had one of those types of memberships! Set class times have forced me to build fitness into being part of my day and the guided, professional instruction and training at the SHOP have allowed me to have better workouts. There were so many times with my membership at an all-hours, generic gym that I talked myself out of working out because "it would be open later" or if I did go, I would get there without a clue on what to do. To put it simply, you just have to show up at the SHOP and do what's on the whiteboard.