“I have been able to meet so many people that I may not have ever met. They have made me into a better person.”
Jeremy Dossett
TFA Athlete Questions
Name: Jeremy Dossett
Age: 43
Occupation: Home Improvement Contractor
What brought you to TFA?
My wife, April was the one that convinced me to try out TFA. She had been working out for years and was looking for something new, so she started coming to shred class. It took a couple of months, but I finally decided to meet this Brandon guy I kept hearing about and completed my first shred workout on August 28,2020. I was instantly hooked and as usual, she was right, I loved it!
How has TFA changed your life?
Even after playing sports all the way up through high school and working in construction for the last 11 years, I can honestly say that I am in the best physical and mental shape of my life. When I started, my mindset was, “Ok, I think I can make it to 3 workouts a week”. Creating a “better me” quickly became a priority in my life, and I changed my work schedule to accommodate. It has given April and I something to do together that we both enjoy and can share in each other’s accomplishments. TFA has adopted me into one of the greatest families, and I have been able to meet so many people that I may not have ever met. They have made me into a better person.
What goals have you accomplished since being at TFA?
That’s an easy one, everything. I came in with 0 experience. I had no idea what an EMOM was or how awful an AMRAP could be, never touched weights, been on a rig, or even a jump rope. Over the last year and 3 months I have completed the Murph, The Open, Power Hour, pull-ups, rope climbs, toes to bar, handstand pushups, the occasional double under and have consistently been able to improve in all the weightlifting categories to be able to complete most Rx workouts.
What are your current goals?
I would like to continue to work on my technique and grow in weightlifting. I would also like to work towards cycling toes to bar, butterfly pull ups, do the Murph in a vest, and maybe someday double unders. April and I also signed up to compete in our first Spartan 10k race in July.
How many days per week do you work out?
I try and make it into the gym 5 days for 5 shred classes and 4-5 CrossFit classes
What is 1 food/meal you could eat for the rest of your life?
Definitely anything breakfast is what I look forward to each day. Farm fresh eggs, maple sausage, Dave’s killer bread, fruit, omelet, or Belgian waffles
What do you enjoy outside the gym?
I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling anywhere warmer than Ohio, hiking, camping, playing any sports, swimming, going to Blue Jackets games, and work.
What has been the biggest thing you have overcome?
I had much anxiety in joining a gym due to my lack of experience and confidence. I had worked within the complex off and on for 4 years, building the family fun centers in some of the other buildings and I would often see people out back doing the workouts. I would drive by the open back doors and think, that looks like fun. But I would always feel intimidated by the stack of weights or the two guys with all the tattoos yelling at people as they head out the back door. Needless to say, I have overcome these fears, but I did not do it without my new family. I had Brandon pushing my limits, Jimmy correcting my form, Dan encouraging me, Todd telling me that there was no better day than today to start my journey, Chrissy and Gretta giving a different perspective, Jon giving me the extra pointers, competing with Justin on the Metcons, trying to keep up with Theresa in shred, watching Mike put in the time, and the inspiration in watching everyone grow along with me like April, Alisa, John, Gretchen, Naaman, Shauna, Morgan, and Annie.
What advice would you give the person you were when you started?
I would probably start with the bad, like this is going to hurt tomorrow and you may not be able to walk up or down stairs for a few days and you may need help getting up from the toilet. But then let them know that with each struggle will bring success. It will not happen overnight but with hard work it will happen over time and you will be surprised at what you CAN do. I would let them know that they are not alone, and we all want to see them succeed. And lastly, I would assure them that there is no better group of coaches, or gym family, to help you on your journey.
