Our Athlete of the Month for April is a family guy. He has been a loyal member since we came back from the pandemic lockdown. He loves to smile and lift heavy weights over his head. You can typically find him in a mid-day or a 6:30pm class, although he’s not typically alone. This little helper he has with him happens to be his energetic son! Our athlete of the month for April is:
Eduardo Seola
1. Where are you from originally?
I am from Brazil. I lived in many different places there, including the south of the country where the weather is close to what we have here, but also in the north and the middle of the country where it is always warm and humid. And I miss it a lot. Working out on cold days is very hard for me.
2. If not from Pittsburgh, what brought you to Pittsburgh?
The company I work for is a multinational with headquarters in Pittsburgh, and the plant where I used to work in Brazil would be shut down. So I was given the choice to work in another plant in Brazil or here. And since it all worked out for my wife too, we moved to Pittsburgh in January 2020, right before the pandemic.
3. Where do you work?
The company is called Wabtec, and the office is in North Shore, close to PNC Park.
4. What is your favorite hobby?
Can I call CrossFit a hobby? Other than working and taking care of my son, that is all I do regularly.
5. How did you discover CrossFit?
A new gym opened close to our house, and I decided to go there and get to know this new thing.
6. When did you start CrossFit?
In 2015, around two months after getting married to Flavia.
7. Why did you start CrossFit?
Flavia made me do it. LOL. It is a long story: I have always been sedentary… for my whole life until I met Flavia. Exercising was always part of her routine, so when we got married and moved in together, I decided I needed to try something too. By that time, she was going to the gym and being part of a running team. I felt like I was not fit enough to join this team, and because of my work schedule, we could not go to the gym at the same time. I tried going by myself but I never liked it. Until a Crossfit gym opened in our neighborhood, within a walking distance of our house. I went there and enjoyed it, especially when I started to make friends and keep each other motivated all the time. One month later Flavia joined me, and there go 8 years doing CrossFit together now.
8. What is your favorite thing to do in CrossFit?
Whenever I do something completely new, for the first time. Imagine me being sedentary for decades and one day doing a muscle up… it is awesome.
9. What is your least favorite thing to do in CrossFit?
I don’t think I have one. I am sometimes worried that I may interfere in our classes because I am always talking and telling everyone things about my day… so, I hope I am not bothering anyone.
10. What is the number 1 thing you want to get better at?
Consistency. For some time after starting here, I could not come as many times as I wanted, and I was also not focused on my diet, but things have been changing lately.
11. What is your favorite part about coming to CrossFit at Industrial Athletics?
It is my therapy. I feel good here, the environment and the people are great.
12. What is your favorite CrossFit WOD?
I have 3 that I always love to do: Annie, Cindy, and Helen.
