Congratulations to Stephen Mathai on being selected as May 2019 Athlete of the Month. Stephen has shown a consistent eagerness to get better every time he comes into the gym. He has even dedicated himself to a couple cycles in the Mission strength program to focus on his lifts. He’s shown what hard work can accomplish, for those reasons and many more is why he is deserving of Athlete of the Month.

Started CrossFit– September 2012
Favorite WOD– DT
Least favorite WOD– Bear Complex
Favorite lift– Power Clean
Least favorite lift– Snatch
Story -After graduating from college I wanted to expand my workout routine outside of my evening runs. I had never played sports or lifted weights prior to CrossFit, and a traditional gym did not seem appealing knowing I would lack the motivation to program and go. After a quick Google search I found a nearby CrossFit gym and signed up for a free trial. My first workout was a modified Angie (swapped double unders for air squats), and it kicked my butt. After the soreness had passed a couple days later I signed up for a membership. The coaches were patient and had me focus on form and endurance before letting me increase resistance (mostly due to my lack of weightlifting history). In 2014 I moved to San Antonio, and tried Mission Crossfit based on my previous coach’s recommendation. The gym had been only running for a week at its current location, but I enjoyed the coaching and workouts. I have been coming back ever since then – jumping from 5 AM morning classes to 6:30 evening (do not know what I was thinking waking up that early and missing the best :30 class), a short stint in strength programming, and participating in the past two opens. The Mission community is incredible, and I look forward every day to unwind during a WOD. Hats off to all the coaches and members – you truly make the best box in SA!