Despite having joined the gym around the same time, and beyond our staff believing they look kinda sorta alike, Evan and AJ are two separate individuals who are completely unrelated whatsoever, but because our staff is full of idiots who think they’re funny, we’ve decided to let you get to know them as a twosome.

One thing they for sure have in common, though, is that they’re consistently the hardest workers in the room every time they walk through those doors. Take note, people!

Q: How did you hear about Renew and why did you decide to join?

Evan: I first heard about Crossfit Renew during a Financial Overview with a fellow member, Alex Morgan (go see him!). I was looking for a workout family, and a place that was welcoming to the new guy in the room. The Texas Flag on the wall didn’t hurt, either.

AJ: My wife found Renew first. With some changes in her job and becoming pregnant, she decided to follow a different workout program. But she was so complimentary of the staff that Renew was the first box I looked at once my schedule opened up and allowed me to start doing CrossFit again. I’ve done CrossFit off and on for the last 10 years and have always found it to be the most fun, challenging, and beneficial workout.  Above all, it pushes me like other workouts don’t.

Q: What is one of your proudest moments in the gym so far?

Evan: On a few occasions, I have finished a tough RX WOD with just a sliver of time remaining, and it usually involved the earlier finishers cheering me on to the end. While I was proud of finishing, I was most proud of the Renew community around me, pulling me up.

AJ: There haven’t been many, but I feel great when I can RX a WOD.  My body doesn’t do the same things it used to 10 years ago, so I’ve had to become okay with scaling workouts.  So anytime I can perform at the RX level, I’m extremely proud.

Q: What is one of your proudest moments outside of the gym?

Evan: Late last year, I finally became debt-free. There was a new sense of freedom that came with that, and I’m glad to share my journey with anyone that asks!

AJ: I’ve been looking at a lot of post-business school job opportunities. Though some aren’t the right fit or don’t have openings, I’m proud when they say I’m the kind of person they want to hire.  Being a good person and demonstrating that you can work hard still means something, so I’m proud when those traits are recognized in me.

Q: Tell us a funny story from college!

Evan: I was a cheerleader at LSU, and part of that job required frequent encounters with live broadcasts. During a nationally televised basketball game, an ESPN cameraman was filming right behind me during a team back flip, which I realized while upside down. The camera shattered, as did the self-control of the cameraman screaming obscenities on live television.

AJ: My buddies and I once took a spring break trip to Big Bend.  We didn’t know what we were getting into, so we were very surprised/upset to find that there were no swimming pools in the area and that liquor stores were few and far between.  Along with those spring break disappointments, my mom’s Jeep that I borrowed broke down, my best friend got sick and had to find a hospital hours away, and our site got demolished by animals while we were gone.  It was the worst trip ever, yet a funny one to look back at and remember now.

Q: What’s one thing about you that we would be surprised to know?

Evan: I am a terrible swimmer, to the point that swim lessons are in my 2019 plans.

AJ: I’m looking at opening a distillery.  I’ve immersed myself in the business for the last year and have so much yet to learn.  We’ll see if it ever materializes.

So biggest takeaways here: Evan can do a herkie and AJ is giving us free drinks for life as soon as that distillery opens up. Solid.