Calibrated Profile in Strength: Gordy Verdin

Tell us a bit about yourself and how long you’ve been at Calibrated.

I’m 13 years old.  I’m in 8th grade at Nagel Middle School.  I have a 15 year old brother Charlie and a 9 year old brother, Tucker.  I play lacrosse for the Blue Jays and played football first through seventh grade.  I have been at Calibrated since June, 2016.

 

What made you want to start training at Calibrated?

My mom.  I decided I didn’t want to play football in 8th grade and my mom got really nervous about the idea of me coming home from school everyday with nothing to do.  She worried about me not having anything physical in my day if I didn’t play football, or any fall sport. We stopped by Calibrated one day in June.

 

What’s your favorite part of the gym?

Everything.  It is my favorite place to be.  I like how friendly everyone is and how encouraging they are.  I like that I don’t have to compete with anyone but myself and just work on improving.

 

How do you motivate yourself to come to the gym, even if you’re tired, sore, busy, etc.?

I’m always motivated to go to the gym.  I have never asked not to go.  I get upset if there is a reason I can’t go.  I am never too sore, too tired, or too busy, it is where I want to be.

 

What are your favorite movements?

I like cleans and pull ups.

 

What are your goals for your training – short term and/or long term?

My short/long term goals are just to keep improving.  I can’t wait until I am 14 and I can officially register for the Open next year.  A couple of my goals right now are mastering double unders, handstand push ups and I really want to get a muscle up.

 

What are you most proud of achieving since starting at Calibrated?

I’m proud at how much I have changed physically but also mentally.  I started with not being able to do one pull up and now I can get ten.  I didn’t even know what a handstand push up was and now I can do a couple.  My fitness level has improved so much.  I have even changed my diet.  My vegetable consumption isn’t great but I have changed my eating habits pretty significantly.