WHY I COACH – BY FIELDING.

I second everything Sarah said, and want to add that when you are coaching, I may be etting gyelled at, yelling back, feeling like I am going. to. die. and yet I am having FUN all the same time. Thanks for your humor, your help, and your constant motivation!

Funniest comment thread ever! I haven't laughed so hard while reading peoples comments in forever.

p.s. can we make sure Witherspoon checks this Internet-thingy to see the profound impact he has had on our lives.

Yesterday's WOD is the perfect example of the kind of coach that Witherspoon is. I had to sub sit-ups for squats and Witherspoon came over and stomped on my feet to hold em down so I could get through my reps all the while yelling at me and the others to keep moving faster. Witherspoon cares and pushes you, even if you want to, as Sarah said, punch him in the face. He also is the best name-speller in the gym. When I see that Witherspoon is coaching I get scared and excited at the same time. Thanks Witherspoon, for making us better athletes.

Witherspoon. That is not real. That is not a real middle name. Is that his real middle name? That's not possible. I love it. Moving on. Most of the time, when Fielding is coaching me, I want to punch him in the face. And I am not a violent person. He is the only coach I actually yell back at when he's yelling at me. He openly mocks me anytime I try to pout my way out of doing something hard. He tirelessly rejects every single excuse I can possibly conjure up to avoid doing something that freaks me out. He is a pain in the ass. Like KJ said, he doesn't just yell at you and walk away -- he sits there and stares right at you and yells things like, "Come on -- do it!" and makes sure you listen to him and makes sure you finish and makes sure you don't act like a sissy. It's annoying as shit. But to be clear, this absolutely, totally, 100%, works for me. It makes me better -- when I didn't think I was ready to be better, and I have mountains of respect for a person who can accomplish that feat. Tip of the hat to you Mr. Witherspoon -- we're lucky to have you.

Fielding, your transparent love of Crossfit and Crossfitters touches everything you do. As a coach, you really boil this $hit down to its essence: Move faster! Lift more! Rest less! And for that I appreciate you. Claw

Sometimes I go to open gym and just want to do a wod by myself and take it easy... when Fielding is there that doesn't happen. Sometimes he's on his way out, but then he sees me setting up (and I'm thinking, oh scrap) because then he just stays and stars and yells at me until I'm done, and as most of you know this starring and yelling doesn't happen from far away, he's RIGHT THERE in your face. Fielding, I appreciate your never ending enthusiasm and the fact that you tell it like it is, in the nicest way possible with a sort of giggle. You used to make me cry when you would yell at me to "STOP RESTING" but now I come to rely on it and I appreciate it. You have so much passion for crossfit and leading a healthy lifestyle and sometimes it seems as though you are more excited for someone's PR than they are themselves. You really care about everyone and you are a great coach.

I've been under the impression that "Fielding" was a last name, and to know that he is the third in a line of Fielding's certainly gives the story a lot more "oh really?" When Fielding coaches, my day goes like this: "YES! PR DAY!" 2 minutes later, "I should totally suggest we listen to Ke$ha, I know Fielding LOVES him some Ke$ha..." 2 hours later, "oh sweet baby jesus my muscles are on FIRE, oh lordie this hurts! But did you see that PR?!?!" Thanks for always telling us that the weight that's on the bar isn't enough, and for screaming at us to get that last rep in.

Oh my god Augie - thank you, this is the perfect description of Fielding "I equate Mr. Butler more to a walking fusion reactor running at redline with little coolant in the pipes and the boron rods supposedly tamping the reaction only half way in the pile." Fielding - sometimes you scare me (okay most of the time) but your also a great motivator - thanks so much!

When I come into the gym when Fielding is coaching, I know one thing is for sure: I will be pushed to the limit and most likely beyond. I can also count on him telling me "you can go heavier." Never in my life have I been as strong as I am now. I have Fielding and the rest of the CPC staff to thank for that.

Yes, this whole Witherspoon thing is very interesting. Fielding and I started Crossfit about the same time and we were in a constant back and forth battle between who could be better at what. Needless to say, he has surpassed me at most things, especially anything involving weightlifting. He's a perfect example of what you can accomplish with laser-like focus and dedication. His love for Crossfit is only matched by his love for sharing what it can do for someone who really needs the assistance of a guide to help them navigate this new and unfamiliar territory.

Mr Butler is Forest without the Gump. He would gladly look up in wonder at lightning bolts raining down upon him. He would take whatever hill was in front of him and then the next and the next and the far one waaay out there that is usually used for foreshadowing in paintings. He would run until there was no more road to run and then he would swerve from the road to see what is beyond yonder yond. His fierceness and intensity is gloved by a radiant joy of bodies in motion at the limit (or what they thought was their limit) of their physical capabilities. Okay, I prevaricated for sweetness sake. There is no subtle cloaking of his intensity. I equate Mr. Butler more to a walking fusion reactor running at redline with little coolant in the pipes and the boron rods supposedly tamping the reaction only half way in the pile. It is a joy to get coached by him because his joy is infectious. He will not let us fail. He will not let us think less of ourselves. He will get us to dig and dig and dig some more in the sum total joyous affirmation of what we can do when Mr. Butler has our backs.

Wait...your middle name is Witherspoon? That is an immensely useful piece of information. For those of you who don't know, Fielding was officially our very first client. We found him when I went around talking to people trying to promote CrossFit and have people try it. A gentlemen, who was his roommate, listened to my pitch and then simply wrote down a name and number and told me to call this guy. So, I did...and it was Fielding. He came by, kicked ass in "requiem for a squat" and signed up. A year or so later, he became a coach. I don't think I know anybody (and that includes myself or any of the coaching staff) who lives, breaths and sleeps CrossFit like FB does. Fielding's dedication is incredible. My biggest challenge coaching him is keeping him OUT of the gym so he can rest and recover. There are two things that you can bank on with young Fielding. First, his passion is pure. Second, he truly wants you to succeed and his heart is right where it should be. He also doesn't check Facebook or read email.