Remember when I had the opportunity to interview Christmas Abbott by email””thanks to the nice people from the Spartan World Championships? Well, I also had the chance to interview CrossFit Games competitor (and farmer), Marcus Hendren. (He placed 7th and 6th, respectively, in the 2012 and 2013 Reebok CrossFit Games.) Marcus seems like such a cool guy. Here’s our Q & A!
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What did you eat for breakfast today?
Sweet potato hash with spinach and four eggs. Smoothie with blueberries, peanut butter, bananas, chia seeds, coconut milk and honey.
I know you grew up on a farm. How did that experience influence your diet today?
It wasn’t until I left the farm that my diet really changed. Before I left I had a typical farmers diet: lots of meat, potatoes, bread and desserts. Now I’m much more conscious about what I eat. I try to follow Glassman’s diet recommendations as close as possible.
When preparing for the Spartan World Championship, what did a typical training week look like for you?
About an hour and a half of CrossFit, 5-6 days a week.
What’s your favorite memory from last year’s CrossFit Games?
The zig-zag sprint! I felt like that event was made for me.
I know your family struggled to accept your CrossFit career. How do they feel about it now?
It’s much better than it was before. Both my parents came out to California to support me this year and I’m grateful. Small steps 🙂
What’s your biggest CrossFit “goat?”
Swimming!
What’s the hardest CrossFit WOD you’ve ever done?
Mentally, that half marathon row is something I’ll never forget. Physically, my legs have never hurt as badly as they did after the rope climb/sled push WOD from 2012.
What’s your best advice for someone who wants to take CrossFit to the next level?
Make sure you’re still having fun! Don’t forget that this is just a game. It’s easy to get lost in the race toward the next competition. Slow down an enjoy the journey.
Besides CrossFit, how do you enjoy spending your time?
Still looking for hobbies outside of CrossFit to capture my attention. On those rare rest days when I finish work early I really enjoy slow evenings doing absolutely nothing.
What’s something people would be surprised to hear about you?
People would be surprised to hear I spent a good portion of my summer selling vegetables out of the back of my truck and playing Pokemon on a game boy.