Ralph Esten’s CrossFit Journey-by Ritchie Kirkum
Part 1: The Beginning
“I am
36 years old and on September 23, 2011, at the age of 31, I was diagnosed with
glioblastoma multiforme, which is an aggressive cancerous brain tumor," Ralph
told me today. Ralph was given 8 to 15
months to live with treatment. Without treatment, much less. This moment was obviously a life-changing
moment. I remember this time. I had
known Ralph since High School and we played football together. He worked at Santino’s
Pizzeria in Oakfield. Everyone knew Raphie! He was the life of the party, a
nice guy and a lot of fun. This couldn’t
be happening to him. Ralph is married to
my cousin Michelle (engaged at that time) so he’s family. It shook our
close-knit family to the core and clearly his own family too. Ralph made the decision to have treatments. He had brain surgery, 33 radiation treatments,
2 different kinds of chemotherapy and countless MRIs. Ralph also suffered a stroke during month 23
of chemo and couldn’t move much of his right side. “My wife worked and I spend most of my days with
not much to do besides eat and watch T.V., "Ralph said. The fallout from all of the treatments left
him unable to return to work.
Ralph
had to say this, “I watched how CrossFit changed the lives of Ritchie & Jen
Kirkum. I asked Michelle to ask them if it was something I could try. It seriously
was the best thing I have even done for myself. I have a reason to feel good
about myself. I felt like if I could
fight cancer, I can accomplish anything.
My workouts are scaled and changed to fit my needs. My right side is still not as strong as my
left, due to the stroke I suffered, but I am getting stronger every day. My wife and I have changed our eating habits
and we both are leaning on one another.”
When
Ralph started at CrossFit Silver Fox on August 9th, he was 309 lbs.
As of today, only 1 month in, he has lost 30lbs and weighs 279 lbs. He told me about so many diets in the past
that he has tried and failed on…countless times. “Jason and Jen are fantastic
trainers” Ralph said. “They are always right there keeping an eye on me. They always come up with so many different
workout options for me. Sometimes my
brain will not allow me to perform certain movements and they help change the
movement so that I can still do a variation of it, and still get a great
workout.”
Ralph’s
main goal is to get down to 225 lbs. This is just the beginning. He can do it. He has overcome so much in such
a short period of time, who’s counting him out?
Not me, and neither should you. We’ll be checking back in with Ralph in a few
months to track his progress. Congrats
Ralph on a great beginning!!
Here is a little bit
more about Ralph
1.
Why are you doing this? To get in
shape! I was tired of sitting around doing nothing.
2.
What were your previous diet attempts? Atkins, some low fat.
3. What makes this time different? Results
were fast with CrossFit, so it kept me on track!
4.
What was your light bulb
moment that pushed you to lose weight? When
I was over 300 lbs
5.
How much did you lose so far?
How long did it take? 30lbs in 30 days
6. What do you think hitting goal will be like? Tremendous accomplishment
7.
Are you more energetic? Yes! Definitely!
8.
What is your biggest accomplishment so far? I couldn’t jump with both feet and before
CrossFit
Silver Fox, I couldn’t squat down without falling over. Now I can do both!!!
9.
What is the hardest park for you? Struggles? Social
gatherings are tough with temptations to eat bad.
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