Spring 2017's CrossFitter of the Month: Ralph Esten

Congratulations to Ralph Esten for being our April, 2017's CrossFitter of the Month!  Ralph has come a long way and is kicking major ass in the gym.  Ralph has lost over 60lbs in just 9 short months and has really improved his life.  If you have read about Ralph before, he is a cancer survivor and a tremendous fighter!  We are all extremely proud of Ralph and he continues to wow us, his family, and friends every day at CrossFit Silver Fox.

• Age: 36
•       Occupation: Disabled

•       City:   Oakfield
•       When did you start CrossFit? August 2016
•       What do you do when you’re not here? Work a few hours a week and fish on nice days.
•       What brought you to CrossFit Silver Fox? Gained a lot of weight after being diagnosed with brain tumor.
•       What keeps you at CrossFit Silver Fox? My balance has improved so much and I lost a lot of weight. 
•       Now that you're here, what was your biggest misconception? I thought you had to be in shape to join cross fit. 
•       Biggest Improvements/struggles with CrossFit? Balance is much better and I had a lot of right side weakness and that's so much better. I still struggle with the snatch but I'm getting better.
•       How many days do you train at CrossFit Silver Fox? 3 days a week
•       What makes your come in and train on days when you don’t want to? I want to keep improving 
•       What is your approach towards nutrition? I try to eat healthy foods lots of fruits and veggies. 
•         Favorite workout? Deadlifts 
•         What is the most challenging part of your CrossFit journey? Trying to stay on track with healthy eating. I like Reese's lol 
•       Super Power you would want most? Power to heal people 
•        Any advice for new comers? Don't give up! Push yourself! 
•        Favorite activities outside of CrossFit? Fishing and the BUFFALO BILLS!!
•         Name something about yourself that is a little known fact.  I'm a pretty sensitive guy
•        Accomplishments at the gym. PR’s, Weight Loss, etc?

 225- deadlift  lost 60lbs155- back squat  40 jump rope in a row ( could do 1 when I started ) ran for first time in 5 years! I suffered a stroke and didn't have much use of my right side. I couldn't get off the ground without help and now I can! 

•        Goals for the remainder of the year? Lose 30 more pound, better on lifts, stronger on my right side.
•        Who inspires you? Jimmy V who was a coach for Nc state basketball who battled cancer but never gave up! I watch his espy speech and want to fight hard. I live by his quote... Cancer can take away my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart and it cannot touch my soul. And those 3 things are going to carry on forever. "Don't give up....don't ever give up!You fight hard when you have cancer and I plan on fighting until I can't fight any longer