Sports Spotlight - Windermere Observer: Gavin Metz

Windermere resident Gavin Metz has been active and competitive from a young age, and once in school, he discovered he wanted to help people harness their skills with strength and conditioning. Now a coach at WinStrong CrossFit, he has been involved with the program for one-and-one-half years and enjoys helping people reach their full potential.

What’s your background with health and fitness?

My whole life I’ve been active. I originally went to school for athletic training, but I wanted to help people get better by helping them harness their skills, and that’s how I got into strength and conditioning. I like working with people who are trying to seek something new in their lives, and that’s kind of what led me toward the job here, where I can make a difference with the community.

How long have you been involved with CrossFit?

I’ve ben involved with CrossFit for a little over a year-and-a-half, and before that, I was running a junior golf academy’s fitness program for three years. 

What’s your approach to helping those new to CrossFit?

I always start with what brought them through the door. Everyone’s got their own problems in life, and you have to get to know each individual to know how to motivate and push them. Very rarely will you find people who are genuinely excited to work out, but it’s the result they’re searching for. You have to find out how to relate to each person to walk through that journey with them. Without that, what we do on the floor doesn’t really matter. 

What’s your favorite part of CrossFit?

I like the community aspect of it and how it’s a group setting. There’s always a progression or modification to be made, so it fits any skill level at any time. Having everybody go through it together helps keep everyone on track, motivated and it keeps it fun.

What professional sports do you enjoy?

My favorite sport to watch is soccer. I love the English Premier League and, outside of that, any Cleveland sports team.

Who is your inspiration or role model in life?

I’ve had a lot of different inspirations at different points in my life. Now that I’m at where I’m at, I always look back to my dad — the morals and man that he is and trying to strive to be the person he is.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Never give up. As simple as it is, you can take that and apply it to anything, anywhere, at any point in time.