Member Spotlight — Alvin Lawrence

I challenge you to try not to be happy and have a smile on your face when you're around Alvin Lawrence. It's not possible. Alvin has been bringing good laughs, a leather belt, non-gym shorts and sweet beard to the gym for a little less than a year now, and each time he walks through the door, regardless of the time of day, he comes with a great attitude.

Alvin came to the gym following a recovery from a bad motorcycle accident and continually improves his hip mobility (a hip which has 14 pins in it), lifts, and endurance each workout.

Outside of the gym, Alvin works as a teacher at Charleston Collegiate, restores old motorcycles, and is a welder. His masterpiece is that shining merchandise cart that you see each day when you walk through CFJI.

Without further ado, I give you – Alvin Lawrence Uncut and Unedited.

ALVIN! What initially got you through the doors? I remember you telling me a story when you first started about how you were turning 40 soon and wanted to get in shape.

That was a goal: To be in the best shape ever. I was on the way, then my bike accident happened.

About the motorcycle accident... Talk a little about that, the recovery and how it affects your daily life and life in Crossfit. What do you do to overcome those hurdles?

True. I was in a motorcycle accident and have 14 pins and 3 surgeries on my hip. I'm always in pain even when i'm smiling. Crossfit has helped me with building those muscles and core strength, along with flexibility.

Always a morning guy, whether it be 530 or 630 AM and always with a smile on your face, in a good mood and ready to workout and get stronger. What keeps you motivated and coming through the doors?

Rhodiola and I want to feel my best.

So you may be the only person in my 5 years of coaching who has consistently worn a belt and cargo shorts for every workout. What's the science behind that?

I don't know, but I ALWAYS wear a belt when i'm working. I may have to use it as a weapon.

Outside of the gym, what are your hobbies?

I restore vintage motorcycles, i'm a big movie buff. I love cooking. I love kissing.

What do you like most about CFJI?

That it is always different

What is your favorite lift?

Thrusters

Least favorite Lift?

Overhead Squats

Favorite “Girl” WOD? / Hero WOD?

Not sure yet.

Hometown?

Bronx. Yonkers.

If you were to put one suggestion in the suggestion box, what would it be?

Hide those ugly sneakers. They look out of place.

What are 1-2 of your goals for the year?

Get ripped.

What do you like most about your workout crew?

Everything.

Words of wisdom you've heard at CFJI?

You can't work off a bad diet.

If you had to choose... wearing gym shorts to the gym everyday or eating kale at every meal for the rest of your life...?

I would wear gym shorts, but only if they had belt loops.

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

Fly a helicopter or a plane

Who was your role model growing up?

My Uncle Bill

Which way does your toilet paper hang on the wall — over or under?

Over

If you could have any one superpower, which would you choose?

To make people hungry at any given moment.

Would what you do for a Klondike Bar

It's "WHAT WOULD you do?" (Touche)

Pork Roll or Taylor Ham?

Taylor Ham

One thing about me people would be surprised to know?

My family has been here since the Mayflower. John Alden. Priscilla Muller.

If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it?

Build a custom fab shop.

If you had your human body, but the head of an animal, what animal would you pick?

A fat little pig.

What's the most ridiculous fact you know?

You can't rake wet leaves with a football.