Member of the Month

CrossFit Midtown is very excited to announce our 2026 September Member of the Month, Mike Adams! Mike Adams has been a member for 11 YEARS! He is one of our longest standing members! He has hit huge PRs, made besties, and become a staple in the 5:00 pm class! Read on to learn more about Mike Adams and his CrossFit journey. Thank you for being such an outstanding member of the CFM community!

Name: Mike Adams
Nickname: PR Mike (now Maintenance Mike); although everyone at the gym always calls me by my full first and last name lol
Age: 37
Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA

How did you get exposed to CrossFit?
No one I knew in my life at the time was doing CrossFit…I only knew of it through hearsay as the workout class where 
people do crazy physical movements (which turned out to be true lol). There were also the jokes out there that all CrossFitters would talk about is CrossFit.

What brought you to CrossFit Midtown?
I was stagnant in my current gym routine at LA Fitness, doing the same exercises and movements over and over and was ready to push myself out of my comfort zone. I would drive home from work down Spring St. every day and I saw the CFM sign and finally decided to stop by.

What was your very first day at CrossFit Midtown like?
It wasn’t as intimidating as I had built up in my head. Coach Cam was so friendly and welcoming that signing up was easy (although I’ve made my decision ahead of coming) He is so nice at Foundations that I told him he should start a Foundations 2.0 class when I graduated from it.

What kind of changes have you you experienced since starting CrossFit that were completely unexpected (ie. new friends, “family”, the community, more self confidence, etc)?
The first few months and years was noticeable physical fitness progress and athletic build. What I did not expect, however, was the BEST friends and community CFM brought me. As a naturally introverted gay person, CFM has made me feel comfortable, like I belonged, and gave me more confidence. The diversity and positivity at the gym has made me proud to be a member, hence why I have never left. My favorite part of the day is the 5:00 PM class with my HiTea, Walking Club, and Gym Rats and my social life over the years has started to revolve more and more around CFM and the friends I have made there. Those friends along with the great coaches have encouraged and motivated me to do various fitness competitions and really push myself..if you told 2015 Mike when he walked into the gym the first time that I would be doing that I would have said you were crazy.

Tell us some of your CrossFit accomplishments!
Completing Hyrox with my CFM partner in crime, Rishabh. Finishing tied for 2nd in the Rise Up competition earlier this year. Completing Murph for the first time without a partner. Slowly but surely improving my muscle-ups…by far my hardest movement to get. For the rest of 2026, I want to handstand walk 8 feet (i.e. the width of two mats) and achieve a new bench press PR!

What is your favorite workout and if you could make up your own workout what would it be?
I don’t know if it had a specific name but the coach would have a deck of cards and they would pull a card and each suit would represent a movement while each number/face card would represent the number of reps. That and the 12 days of Fitmas! If I could make my own workout it would include some variation of running, ring muscle-ups, toes-to-bar, burpees, and some crazy movement like tire flips…and all of it somehow incorporates and works with the lyrics/chorus to a Tate McRae song.

What is something people at the gym might now know about you?

I have eight tattoos!

Favorite CrossFit Midtown moment (doesn’t have to be during a class, just any favorite moment at CFM)?
It happens daily when I hear the clock beep that the workout is over…jk! For real, the 2025 Christmas party was a blast, Mike’s CFM Anniversary speech, and almost beating Coach Mike and Jeannette in the cornhole tournament a few years ago come to mind. Also, anytime Damon would coach back in the day that was a treat 

Hobbies, Talents and or Interests Outside of CrossFit:

Reality TV/Real Housewives, tennis, traveling (which 9 times out of 10 is with my CFM besties), attending concerts/music festivals (Dua, Ari, Gaga, Rufus du Sol, etc. to name a few of late)

Advice for new CrossFitters:
You belong. No matter your age, gender, physical fitness level, quirkiness, etc. there is a place for you here. Be patient with your progress and remember that all of us were in the same position you were before. To this day I still wonder if I am doing some of the movements correctly. I also would encourage new CrossFitters to participate in activities or events the gym does outside of the traditional classes. It took me a while but after I did that, I felt more connected to members and the gym as a whole.

CrossFit Midtown is very excited to announce our 2026 April Member of the Month, Donají Carrillo Castro! Dona has been a member since November 2023. She has hit huge PRs, made great friends, and become a staple in the 7:00 pm class! Read on to learn more about Dona and her CrossFit journey. Thank you for being such an outstanding member of the CFM community!

Name: Donají Carrillo Castro
Nickname: Donna or Dona
Age: why?
Hometown: Toluca, Mexico State, Mexico

How did you get exposed to CrossFit?
A friend who was into CrossFit invited me to the Open announcement for 17.4 in Mexico City—Brooke Wells and Brenda Castro. It was packed and I didn’t make it inside, but he did. I still have a video he shared with me. Months later, I joined him for a class and stuck with it until my shoulder needed a break from all the fun.

What brought you to CrossFit Midtown?
I actually met a former CrossFit Midtown athlete that just moved to Los Angeles and joined the gym where I was doing weightlifting. I told him I was moving to Atlanta for work and asked if he knew a place where I could keep lifting. He recommended CrossFit Midtown… and then it only took me a few years to actually show up. No rush, right?

What was your very first day at CrossFit Midtown like?
It wasn’t as intimidating as I had built up in my head. Coach Cam was so friendly and welcoming that signing up was easy (although I’ve made my decision ahead of coming) He is so nice at Foundations that I told him he should start a Foundations 2.0 class when I graduated from it.

What kind of changes have you you experienced since starting CrossFit that were completely unexpected (ie. new friends, “family”, the community, more self confidence, etc)?
I definitely didn’t expect my upper body strength to improve the way it has. I’ve always been active and liked lifting, but the pull-up program here works fast. I still have a lot to improve, but getting strict pull-ups feels like a major milestone—especially as a woman.

What I really didn’t expect, though, was the community. I didn’t think I’d make such good friends or be this close to such a strong group of inspiring women. (The guys are good too, don’t get me wrong.) There’s something special about being surrounded by women who push you, support each other, and somehow make you want to do better.

Tell us some of your recent accomplishments. What goals do you have for 2022!?
Lately, my biggest accomplishment has honestly just been showing up consistently. I’ve learned that progress is definitely not a straight line—some days you feel great, some days you question all your life choices in the middle of the workout.

My main goal is to keep showing up, keep improving little by little, and most importantly, keep enjoying the challenge (even when it’s humbling). And maybe one day I will finally get a BMU.

What does your frequently used emoji tab look like? (screen shot and send it!)

What is your favorite workout and if you could make up your own workout what would it be?
I really like Saturday partner WODs—especially when there’s a heavy barbell involved and the weight goes up. There’s something about sharing the suffering that makes it more fun… or at least more bearable.

What is your favorite dessert or “treat yourself” meal?

I like kettle cooked potato chips with hot sauce. It is a popular street snack from back home and a little way to stay connected with my roots/to not miss my family as much.

Favorite CrossFit Midtown moment (doesn’t have to be during a class, just any favorite moment at CFM)?
I first thought maxing out on Tuesday’s at 7pm. I noticed it has happened often on a Tuesday and most of these times Hailey was coaching or pushing everyone. Then, I thought most of the time CFM is my favorite moment of the day. The routine of showing up and seeing how we can support each other without doing more than showing up. It’s cool how someone can be inspiring someone else without even realizing it. And training with Alex (or the girls) definitely makes everything more fun and more rewarding. Having someone by your side through the workouts (and the suffering) makes a big difference.

Hobbies, Talents and or Interests Outside of CrossFit:

Outside the gym, I love spending time with friends and family, traveling, and hanging out with Rizzo, a bernedoodle girly that took all the sassiness for herself.

I also enjoy watching movies (especially the Oscar nominees) or TV shows, watching F1 races, and reading. I am also trying to learn a bit of astrology, but it does take time. All of it when I am not working, which, lately, has kept me pretty busy.

Advice for new CrossFitters:
Don’t overthink it; just show up, listen to the great coaches we have, and use sugar WOD (it really helps to measure and for accountability).

Be kind and patient with yourself, celebrate the small wins if it makes you feel better, and something people tell me often that I forget – don’t compare your chapter one to someone else’s chapter twenty.

CrossFit Midtown is very excited to announce our 2026 March Member of the Month, Carly! Carly has been a member since June 2025. She has hit huge PRs, made great friends, and started our weightlifting class! Read on to learn more about Carly and her CrossFit journey. Thank you for being such an outstanding member of the CFM community!

Name: Carly Mackey
Nickname: I don’t have an official nickname, but I have been called variations of Carly over the years – Carl, Carls, Carlisle, Carlton, CMack, etc.
Age: 30
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA

How did you get exposed to CrossFit?
I’ve been aware of CrossFit for years. I have rugby friends who do it, along with a few aunts, uncles, and cousins, so it was always on my radar. I lifted consistently for about 10 years, mostly for soccer and rugby, but when COVID hit, I stopped lifting and shifted into running. For about five years I focused on training for 10Ks, 10-milers, and half marathons. While I’m proud of that, I never loved long-distance running, and I really missed lifting. CrossFit felt like a perfect fit for my background and skillset, so I started researching gyms in my area and that’s how I found CFM.

What brought you to CrossFit Midtown?
I had been interested in CrossFit for years, but I was always a little intimidated to try it. After my dad passed away unexpectedly in May 2025, I knew I needed something positive to pour my energy into, that would keep me active, focused, and moving forward. Less than a month later, I found CrossFit Midtown just five minutes from my house, and it felt like the right time to finally take the leap.

What was your very first day at CrossFit Midtown like?
I was definitely a little nervous walking in, but even more excited. Apparently I didn’t read Mike’s email closely enough because I couldn’t figure out where to park, which made me a little late to my very first session…not exactly how I wanted to start day one! I was pretty embarrassed, but once I got inside, that feeling disappeared quickly.

I immediately knew I was going to love it. I’ve always preferred a smaller, more intimate gym setting, and the CFM aesthetic was exactly my vibe. I especially loved and was inspired seeing strong women doing things I’d never been able to do (ahem… pull-ups). I left feeling motivated, challenged, and excited to come back.

What kind of changes have you you experienced since starting CrossFit that were completely unexpected (ie. new friends, “family”, the community, more self confidence, etc)?
The biggest unexpected change has been the sense of community. I joined CrossFit thinking I just needed to workout and keep myself busy and active, but the friendships and support have meant more than I anticipated. There’s something really special about struggling through a tough workout together and celebrating each other’s wins, big or small.

I’ve also gained a lot of confidence. Doing things I once thought were “not for me” has changed the way I see myself, and I know more than ever that I can do hard things.  

Tell us some of your recent accomplishments. What goals do you have for 2022!?
I recently completed my first CrossFit Open workout – 26.1! I originally wasn’t planning to attempt it RX, but some of the girls encouraged me to go for it. I’m so glad they did because I ended up doing way better than I expected, which felt amazing.

As for my goals this year, I really want to get my first pull-up and finally nail my double-unders. I’m ready to keep pushing myself and see what else I’m capable of!

What does your frequently used emoji tab look like? (screen shot and send it!)

What is your favorite workout and if you could make up your own workout what would it be?
So far, my favorite workout was one we did last week – rowing and squats!

3 Rounds
48 cal row
21-15-9 squats (105#)

What is your favorite dessert or “treat yourself” meal?

I do not have a huge sweet tooth, but my favorite desserts are cheesecake and ice cream!  

Favorite CrossFit Midtown moment (doesn’t have to be during a class, just any favorite moment at CFM)?
 I loved the Galentines partner workout and dinner with the women of the gym!

Hobbies, Talents and or Interests Outside of CrossFit:

I am an avid knitter and bread baker! I also love reading, cooking, watching TV, going to the movies, snuggling with my three cats, and spending time with my boyfriend, friends, and family!

Advice for new CrossFitters:
Anyone can do CrossFit! Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to scale! You will see improvements in your body, fitness, strength SO quickly!

CrossFit Midtown is very excited to announce our 2026 February Member of the Month, Hunter! Hunter has been a member since May 2024. He has hit huge PRs, made great friends, and become a staple in the 5:00 pm class! Read on to learn more about Hunter and his CrossFit journey. Thank you for being such an outstanding member of the CFM community!

Name: Hunter Abel
Nickname: Hunt
Age: 31
Hometown: Owensboro, Kentucky

How did you get exposed to CrossFit?
I just signed up one day, didn’t know a single person at the gym

What brought you to CrossFit Midtown?
I wasn’t really keeping a routine when just trying to go to the gym myself, and I wanted to get more comfortable with overall fitness training. 

What was your very first day at CrossFit Midtown like?
Scary as hell. Coach Mike was this big, intimidating person that did my first drop-in class (and foundational classes later on). I didn’t even finish the workout on the first day and nearly passed out on the floor. I remember Coach Mike walked away and another coach (Cam) came over to ask if I needed water. So happy I stuck with it though! 🙂

What kind of changes have you you experienced since starting CrossFit that were completely unexpected (ie. new friends, “family”, the community, more self confidence, etc)?
So many positive changes! I’ve noticed a significant change in my body (every day is leg and shoulder day), and I have truly connected with so many people at the gym, becoming some of my closest friends. I truly don’t think there’s a gym with a closer and more tight-knit community. 

Tell us some of your recent accomplishments. What goals do you have for 2022!?
I just did my first hand stand push up a couple weeks back! And getting heavier weights on the barbell with every class. For 2026, I want to finally get double unders and muscle ups! (no overhead squats though please)

What does your frequently used emoji tab look like? (screen shot and send it!)

What is your favorite workout and if you could make up your own workout what would it be?
Anything other than overhead squats? I’ve made some significant progress on my rowing speed. Let’s say rowing, bench, pull-ups? Is that too grippy?

What is your favorite dessert or “treat yourself” meal?

Ice cream or doritos (nacho cheese)

Favorite CrossFit Midtown moment (doesn’t have to be during a class, just any favorite moment at CFM)?

The moment “I almost died” when Coach Hailey watched me fail a box jump less than two minutes into the workout

Hobbies, Talents and or Interests Outside of CrossFit:

Biking, hanging with friends (from Crossfit), walkable cities with transit 🙂

Advice for new CrossFitters:
Stick with it! It’s so scary and daunting at first but sticking with it and making new friends creates all the difference in the world!

CrossFit Midtown is very excited to announce our 2026 January Member of the Month, Andy Leverett! Andy has been a member since September 2022. He has hit huge PRs, made great friends, and become a staple in the 6:00 am class! Read on to learn more about Andy and his CrossFit journey. Thank you for being such an outstanding member of the CFM community!

Name: Andrew Leverett
Nickname: Andy
Age: 35
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

How did you get exposed to CrossFit?
When I was in college, I knew someone who became a CrossFit coach in Key West. The experience looked both fun and impressive. And over time, I realized that the strongest people I knew were Crossfitters, and that revelation got me to take the plunge for myself.

What brought you to CrossFit Midtown?
Before CrossFit, I had almost exclusively focused on distance running. I wanted to learn how to build my upper body muscles and lift weights safely, which I had no prior training in when I joined CFM. I now have a much more well-rounded body build, and I’ve made noticeable improvements to my standing posture.

What was your very first day at CrossFit Midtown like?
Mike coached my foundation classes, and during the first class, he asked me to do a few toes-to-rings. I had never tried those before. I totally surprised myself when I was able to do it.

What kind of changes have you you experienced since starting CrossFit that were completely unexpected (ie. new friends, “family”, the community, more self confidence, etc)?
A fellow Crossfitter once told me to “do it for myself.” This may sound like standard advice, but his comment was a very transformative moment for me. I am still in the process of defining and refining what it means to do it for myself. It has been a big and tremendously important difference in my psychology.

Additionally, on that note, the overall environment at CFM has been freeing in a way that I had yet to experience as an adult. It is so nice to be within a culture where people can be themselves, have fun, and not be super corporate all the time. Everyone I have met has been extremely welcoming, respectful, and supportive of each other.

Tell us some of your recent accomplishments. What goals do you have for 2022!?
I recently made a career switch from video production to I.T. and it has been a transitional period for me. I am very proud of myself for going beyond just maintaining my fitness but also continuing to make new P.R.s.

I have made a lot of progress over the years. It feels surreal to now knock out 70 pull-ups in a morning and then go about the day as normal. I am fortunate that my body can keep up with my ambition. P.S. Shout out to the 6 a.m. crew!

What does your frequently used emoji tab look like? (screen shot and send it!)

What is your favorite workout and if you could make up your own workout what would it be?
I really like doing cleans.

My workout would be 4 sets of 500m rowing machine + 15 cleans + 40 double-unders for time with 90 seconds of rest in between sets.

What is your favorite dessert or “treat yourself” meal?

I devour pizza like no one’s business.

Favorite CrossFit Midtown moment (doesn’t have to be during a class, just any favorite moment at CFM)?
There are so many I could mention, for example, 1) the plank kettlebell race I did with my buddy Matt, 2) the entire era of the 6 a.m. class with Kiana, Stasia, and the Thompson Twins, and 3) becoming running buddies with Juana. However, if there was just one moment that really summed it up, it was a random morning during a rest between sets. A dance party of sorts broke out on top of the boxes. All I could think was, “Wow, where else can you find something like this happening at 6 a.m. before work?”

Hobbies, Talents and or Interests Outside of CrossFit:

I am doing triathlon training outside Crossfit, which is a great combination for me. I also enjoy Atlanta’s food and wine scene with my wife, Henna. 

Advice for new CrossFitters:
Consistency over perfection. It is critical to take stretching seriously, and I recommend Mike’s yoga classes. If your schedule sometimes gets in the way, 6 a.m. is the way to go. Utilize the coaches’ knowledge to lift with safe and proper form, dropping down weight as much as needed to do it right. Scaling is smart, and everyone universally respects your effort. Have fun, and do your best!

CrossFit Midtown is very excited to announce our December 2025 Member of the Month, Ben Pratt! Ben has been a member since August 2024. He has hit huge PRs, and has become a staple in the 7:00 pm class! Read on to learn more about Ben and his CrossFit journey. Thank you for being such an outstanding member of the CFM community!

Name: Ben Pratt
Age: 39
Hometown: San Antonio, Tx

How did you get exposed to CrossFit?
When I lived in Dallas 2018, there was a CrossFit that I passed every day. I was curious for a long time. I honestly wish I would have started sooner.

What brought you to CrossFit Midtown?
I looked at a few CrossFit gyms. I reviewed their websites and read the coach’s bios. Everyone seemed nice, so I ultimately made a gut decision on CFM.

What was your very first day at CrossFit Midtown like?
For someone that had zero background in exercise, I was intimidated on the first day. But the coach explained everything to me, and helped work through the movements.

What kind of changes have you you experienced since starting CrossFit that were completely unexpected (ie. new friends, “family”, the community, more self confidence, etc)?
I would say community. Everyone I have encountered here at CFM have been incredibly nice and supportive. Everyone is simply trying to be better, and I am all for it.

Tell us some of your recent accomplishments. What goals do you have for 2022!?
I recently got my first kipping pullup. The following week, I completed an entire workout with multiple kipping pullups. I plan to continue to make improvements in upper body movements, get all my barbell movements to the 100# range, and work on stamina.

What does your frequently used emoji tab look like? (screen shot and send it!)

What is your favorite workout and if you could make up your own workout what would it be?
Miami Rain. A workout that includes 1) 500 m run, 2) burpee into a T2R sounds fun, and 3) some type of barbell movement.

What is your favorite dessert or “treat yourself” meal?

My cheat meal is hands down Shake Shack. I love their burgers and cheese fries.

Favorite CrossFit Midtown moment (doesn’t have to be during a class, just any favorite moment at CFM)?
There are many, but I would say completing the Changemaker challenge was a fun one. It was awesome to see all the gyms come together in support of each other. However, I will maintain my stance that I could not move the sled due to the ground surface, not me. 🙂

Hobbies, Talents and or Interests Outside of CrossFit:

I’m super interested in international topics. I love to travel in my personal time. I have been to around 30 countries across 5 continents. I’m always planning my next big adventure.

Advice for new CrossFitters:
The WODs can sometime be intimidating, especially when the reps are high count and repetitive. So, my advice would be to plan a pace that works for you, think about how you want to break up reps and keep a mind set of “chip away at it.” Be humble in that process, too.

CrossFit Midtown is very excited to announce our October 2022 Member of the Month, Jon Grim! He has been a member since June 2021 and has hit huge PRs, made incredible friends, and is an avid open-gym goer! Read on to learn more about Jon and his CrossFit journey. Thank you for being such an outstanding member of the CFM community!

Name: Jonathan Grim
Nickname: Jon
Age: 34
Hometown: Canton, Ga

How did you get exposed to CrossFit?
I remember seeing clips of the CrossFit Games when I was in college (2012ish). The events looked nuts, and the athletes looked super human to me (let’s be honest, they both still do). I didn’t know where you went to get that kind of training, and in any event I was pretty happy with my focus on powerlifting at the time, so I didn’t investigate it much.

What brought you to CrossFit Midtown?
I’d hit a fitness and mental slump. I needed to shake up things and find some new challenges. When I thought about what kind of shape I wanted to be in, CrossFit seemed like it might be a good choice. I searched for local CrossFit gyms and chose CFM because it looked like an established gym with a good reputation.

What was your very first day at CrossFit Midtown like?
I was super nervous and didn’t really know what to expect. Coming in, I thought I was in decent shape, but that foundations test left me light-headed and gassed. Still, I was hooked from day one. The challenge and atmosphere was too exciting.

What kind of changes have you you experienced since starting CrossFit that were completely unexpected (ie. new friends, “family”, the community, more self confidence, etc)?

I’m a remote worker, so the gym is my chance to interact with others outside of a computer screen most days. That real life connection and the class experience has become really important to me, and has drastically helped improve my mental well being. We have great people at our gym, and I’m really thankful for everyone.

I’ve also got a renewed sense of confidence. Seeing that I’m capable of taking on hard physical challenges and getting life changing results has inspired me to try the same in other areas of my life. For instance, I’ve always had an interest in entrepreneurship and now I’m finally taking steps to make that a reality.

Tell us some of your recent accomplishments. What goals do you have for 2022!?
One of the things I’m most proud of is the progress I’m making with the Olympic lifts. I started going to the barbell class over the summer to get extra help, and David has been a great coach. My form on both the clean and snatch feels so much better, and I have tons more confidence walking up to the bar.

For the rest of 2022, I want to work on getting ready for the next open. My goal is to do the RX versions this time, and one area I know I consistently struggle with is my endurance, so I’m planning on working on that. Me and the rower are about to become good friends.

What does your frequently used emoji tab look like? (screen shot and send it!)

What is your favorite workout and if you could make up your own workout what would it be?

I’m a fan of EMOM and Tabata workouts. I like that regular cadence and the challenge of if you can match what you did last round, and I think the format is great when you need to create a workout while out travelling or just want to work on some skills. I’m also weirdly into wall walks and being upside down.

EMOM 5 Rounds
Minute 1: Wall Walks
Minute 2: Weighted lunges
Minute 3: Pull-ups
Minute 4: Row

What is your favorite dessert or “treat yourself” meal

Hot wings. J.R. Crickets 20 piece, hot, with extra blue cheese and fries. Tropicalia to drink.

Favorite CrossFit Midtown moment (doesn’t have to be during a class, just any favorite moment at CFM)?
I loved our scaled competition: CFM Rise Up. I partnered with Jason and got to know him that day (he’s awesome and an inspiration!). I started super nervous, hit some PRs in the second workout, and then completely fell apart at the end of the last workout and Jason saved my ass. The atmosphere all day was great, and it was so much fun watching everyone. 10/10.

Hobbies, Talents and or Interests? What does a day in the life of you look like outside of being a Crossfitter?

Travelling, eating, watching sports (mostly soccer), making software. I miss playing sports and want to play them more – if you play a sport and want an extra hit me up!

Advice for new CrossFitters

Keep coming back – just showing up is an achievement. Don’t worry about the score – you’re here to compete with yourself and that’s what matters. Good diet and good sleep are game changers.