May Member Spotlight: Gaither Bumgardner

Tell us a little about yourself and how you got into CrossFit?

I come from a background of athletics and have always been an active person. After my baseball career ended I had trouble finding a way to maintain my fitness and activity level on a regular basis. I found CrossFit through a customer I worked with, and it helped me return to an active lifestyle.

What keeps you coming back each day? 

Workouts make me feel like I’ve accomplished something each day. I know I’ve chosen to endure the challenge of a workout and build my fitness level. Another factor is the community, which provides both supper and accountability. It’s nice to be around kind and interesting people who are connected by a common goal.

What is your favorite at-home exercise to do?

I enjoy going on a casual run while listening to my favorite music. Distance and time don’t matter, it’s just a good way to clear my head and get some cardio in at the same time. 

If you had to do 100 reps of one movement (not running), what would it be?

Air squats 

What are 1-2 of your goals for 2024? 

Increase capacity for push-ups, and I’d like to be able to handstand walk 25 feet 

Favorite lift? 

Power Clean

Least favorite Crossfit movement? 

Burpees 

Hometown? 

Great Falls, SC 

Favorite Charleston Restaurant? 

Rebel Taqueria 

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? 

Cameraman for a Shark Week Documentary 

What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13? 

Focus on enjoying every day, and take advantage of all the time you have with your family and friends. Try not to worry about things that are out of your control, you are going to end up exactly where you need to be.

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?

I’d meet my Grandfather again who passed away when I was 7. It would be cool to get his perspective on things now that I’m an adult, and learn more about who he was. 

One thing about me people would be surprised to know?

I enjoy listening to opera on road-trips

If the CFJI coaches came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare? 

A giant breakfast spread with custom omelets

Give us a “Question of the Day” to use in class. 

If you could solve world hunger or create world peace, which would you choose?