Sam Butler

Sam Butler

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

My greatest strength is my mental GRIT

1,000 burpees for time completed in 1 hour and 57 minutes

CHAD (1,000 35# weighted box step ups) completed in 57:25

Completed 1 hero workout every hour on the hour for 24 hours as tribute for Memorial Day

165# Clean / Bodyweight Snatch

Qualifications

CrossFit Level 1 Certification

US Navy Command Fitness Leader

Two Bachelor’s in Nursing (in progress) and Humanities

About Coach

I grew up in competitive sports my whole life with cheerleading and gymnastics being the ones I excelled at most. I competed every year at the World Championships with a best finish of 5th place and many 1st place finishes in multiple National Championships. I eventually had to quit due to injury which forced me to find a new identity. I decided I wanted to do something bigger than myself and join the military. I served for six years in the Navy deploying to the Middle East for a couple years. The remaining time was spent on the East Coast. During my time in the Middle East, I coached cheerleading at a local school. Additionally, my last three years in the Navy, I served as the fitness instructor for my command of over 250 Sailors. After separating from the Navy, I knew I wanted to continue my passion of serving others. So, of course, I began coaching at CrossFit Sandy while pursuing another degree in Nursing. I now get to help people reach their fitness and health goals both in and outside of the gym! Coaching people has always been in my blood! If there is anything I have learned in this life it is that the relationships we build are purposeful and meaningful. The lives I get to change daily through coaching and nursing, change my life exponentially as well.

Turning Point

At 18, I left my whole life behind and started in a new journey in an unfamiliar country. I felt alone, afraid, and very uneasy. I felt like I was just going through the motions every day without a purpose. I did not know if I had made the right decision to join the military. I watched my health start to deteriorate as I was losing weight, not eating well, not sleeping enough, and not maintaining my personal relationships. One day I remember looking at myself in the mirror and noticing how tired, sad and stick-thin I was. I missed the outgoing, energetic, strong athlete I once was. It took me a long time to dig myself out of that hole and find my purpose. It was during this time that I found CrossFit. Every day I would look forward to getting off shift and going to workout with a friend. We called it our “happy hour at the bar-bell”. I began getting stronger, faster, and overall fitter. I craved that feeling I would get working out. I began eating and sleeping to fuel my body for workouts. Not only that, the community I found in the CrossFit gym I went to was amazing and supportive! I had found my identity again! I honestly believe CrossFit and the community was what got me through my two years in the Middle East. One of my favorite sayings that I think is fitting is “if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you”. My time in the Middle East was one of the most challenging experiences of my life; however, it truly changed me for the good. I realized how mentally tough I am to keep pushing forward. I found my passion and now get to coach amazing people every day and help them get through life’s challenges!

Motivation & Passion

I have two quotes I would like to share: “How you do anything is how you do everything” -Ben Bergeron “I love my body for what it can do not for what it looks like” -Unknown I have carried these quotes through my everyday life for many years. I want to instill these concepts in my athletes as well. If we work hard in the gym, naturally we will put that same effort into other parts of our life. That could be in our work, relationships, nutrition, in our communities, etc. If we quit during a workout, that same mentality will carry over into other parts of our lives such as giving up in a relationship or not applying for an opportunity. Every day we have to wake up and make the choice to give 110% effort in every single thing we do. I would choose to coach an athlete who works harder over an athlete with natural talent. It is important we remind ourselves not to get caught up in how we look, but what we are capable of. Our bodies and minds are so strong. They are what get us through difficult physical and mental tasks. CrossFit trains us to be mentally and physically fit so that we can get through the toughest of times. I am impassioned and committed to serve those who not only want to become better athletes, but better humans too.

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