Eight years. That’s how long Andrew Kinsey has been a part of the Blackbird CrossFit family, and in that time, he’s become a true embodiment of what our community is all about. More than just a dedicated athlete, Drew is a testament to the power of commitment, the joy of camaraderie, and the transformative potential of CrossFit.
Drew’s journey at Blackbird has been nothing short of inspiring. He’s not just in shape; he’s in the best shape of his life, achieving peak fitness in his 30s. He’s a regular participant in all our major events, from the grueling Memorial Day Murph to the electric atmosphere of the CrossFit Open, always pushing himself and cheering on his fellow athletes. And it’s not just the competition; Drew embraces the community aspect of Blackbird wholeheartedly, building a strong network of friends who provide unwavering support and accountability.
What truly sets Drew apart is his incredible work ethic. His demanding travel schedule would be an excuse for many to skip workouts, but not Drew. He’s a master of prioritization, making his fitness a non-negotiable, even when he’s on the road. He’s known for dropping in at CrossFit boxes across the country, embracing the global CrossFit community wherever he goes. His dedication is legendary – remember that time he strolled into the gym straight from the airport after flying back from Dubai? That’s the kind of commitment that defines Drew.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Drew is simply a fantastic person. He greets everyone with a warm smile and a friendly hello, embodying the welcoming spirit of Blackbird. He’s a stand-up guy, the kind of person you’re proud to have in your community. We’ve watched him make incredible strides in his strength and fitness over the years, a testament to his hard work and dedication. But more importantly, we’ve seen him inspire others with his positive attitude and unwavering commitment.
Drew, congratulations on being our Athlete of the Month! You’re an inspiration to us all, and we’re so proud to have you as part of the Blackbird CrossFit family.
Meet Andrew..
Tell us about yourself
Andrew Kinsey (Drew) – 35 years old. I went to James Madison University in Virginia where I got a degree in accounting. I currently work as a Senior Director of Finance for a construction company headquartered in Columbia, MD.
What was the turning point that led you to CrossFit? What keeps you coming back to CrossFit week after week?
One of my best friends (and former Blackbird) Jon Dorsey turned me onto CrossFit. Jon always spoke highly of Blackbird and CrossFit training in general. Jon was competing in the MAAC in April 2017, so I went to watch the competition and see what CrossFit looked like firsthand. From that day on I was hooked – the energy in the room, the various components of the workouts, and the support I was watching throughout the teams and overall community was unlike anything I’ve ever seen in a gym atmosphere. I remember thinking “I want to be able to do this… I don’t know how I’ll ever get there, but I want to try.” Within a week or 2 of watching the MAAC I joined Blackbird… I never looked back.
There are many reasons why CrossFit continues to be a part of my everyday life. For one, the results speak for themselves. I’m in the best shape of my life which I never thought would be a reality in my mid-30s. CrossFit has shown me that a decline in physical performance doesn’t have to be inevitable simply due to age.
I also can’t underestimate the impact CrossFit has on me mentally. It’s been a great way to deal with stress and build confidence, both inside and outside the gym. With the help of the BBCF coaches and community, I’ve been able to accomplish so many things in the gym that I never thought possible. CrossFit is hard and humbling, as are many things in life, but the best things in life don’t come easy. I very much view my training in this light.
Can you share a specific instance where CrossFit has challenged you in a positive way? What did you learn from it?
In general, just being open to new ideas. CrossFit programming is so unique and varied that I’m still learning new movements despite starting almost 8 years ago. This goes to show that thinking outside the box, or simply not always defaulting to the same routines, is key to success and achieving goals.
What is your favorite memory or experience from the gym?
The MURPH workouts are always impactful – it’s amazing to see all the people that show up for such an intense an important hero workout.
On the social side – the annual holiday parties are always so well done! It’s a testament to how much BBCF cares about bringing the membership/community together. Shout out to Justin Frei for pulling me into karaoke this year!
What is your favorite CrossFit movement, lift, or WOD? Least favorite?
I’m a fan of anything from the pull up bar/rig – favorite being toes to bar.
Least favorite oddly enough is deadlifts – I find them boring and particularly don’t like when they areprogrammed in workouts for time.
What do you enjoy most about Blackbird or CrossFit in general?
Blackbird is simply a great place – great workouts, great coaches, great community and great facility. I have dropped into gyms all over the country and none have come close to checking all these boxes like BBCF does.
Can you share a specific health improvement or positive change in your life that you attribute to CrossFit?
The focus and support on nutrition and how that ties into the workouts has been a positive change. I didn’t
historically think a whole lot about nutrition, but now I’m thinking about it weekly when grocery shopping or
meal prepping for the week ahead. I pay more attention to what’s on nutrition labels and am also more thoughtful when eating out on the road for work. The workouts themselves make me want to eat healthier –because the last thing I’d want to do after a hard workout is step backwards with a poor meal choice. This isn’t to say my nutrition is perfect all the time (far from it), but it’s significantly better than it used to be. It’s also great to know we have a lot of nutrition focused coaches available at any time for advice or insight.
What are your CrossFit goals? How close are you to reaching them?
At this point in my life, consistency is the main focus. PRs are great and still something I strive for. That said whether it’s a PR, fine tuning a technique, or just showing up, there is always something positive to take away from a workout.
Movement wise – would still like to nail down ring muscle ups and handstand walks. I need to commit dedicated time to figuring these out.
When you are not CrossFitting what is your favorite thing to do?
I play ice hockey and have been with the same team for about 12 years. Our games are typically late at night (some as late as 10:50pm) which makes for some interesting morning workouts the next day! Like CrossFit, the team/community is fantastic, and it makes the late games all worth it in the end.
I also love golfing and will pretty much golf all year long – if there isn’t snow on the ground, I’m probably out there. If there is snow on the ground, I also love to ski.
What is one fun thing about you that we may not know yet?
I travel a ton for work (200 days in 2024) and every week looks different for me. There is not much routine in my job so finding routine in training is both challenging and frustrating at times. I do a lot of drop ins during my travels which is a fun way to meet other like-minded individuals and see gyms around the world. That said – nothing beats coming back to my BBCF home after a trip! It’s not uncommon for me to roll into the gym straight from the airport with my suitcase in hand!
What advice would you give to someone who is hesitant to try CrossFit?
Just get through the door and try it! I remember being very intimidated, especially since the first time I witnessed CrossFit was at the MAAC and that was full of experienced athletes. That said, starting CrossFit was the best decision I’ve ever made in my fitness journey. Not to mention I have made a lot of good friends along the way. The coaches and community will support you and I’m positive anyone can achieve their fitness goals by showing up consistently and trusting the process.
What is your favorite workout fuel? What’s your favorite indulgence?
I keep things as simple and easy as possible. I generally cook with chicken breast and/or ground turkey and add some vegetables. I always keep protein forward yogurts and bananas around, as well as Ascent protein.
Craft beer(s) are definitely my weak spot!
FREEWRITE:
It’s hard to believe I’m coming up on 8 years at BBCF. I am so appreciative of the place that Matt & Rebekah created and the support they have given me over the years. What began as a way to supplement my exercise routine outside of hockey has turned into a lifestyle focused on fitness and health. I want to thank the coaches and community for supporting me and my goals and always pushing me to be better.