One of the great and many benefits of starting a CrossFit box out of the back of a community center, is that the coaching staff starts small and gets tight knit quick. Over time, that staff settles and we make it work with what we have. But with great growth comes a great need to expand our small team so we can continue on the path toward the best CrossFit gym in Austin!We are so excited to introduce you to Ryder Williams, the newest member of the Renew coaching staff and crew, and your newest nerd friend. Get to know a bit about Ryder:Q: What do you do outside the gym (for work or play)?A: So if I’m not in the gym I can usually be found playing video games, reading, and enjoying what is without a doubt my favorite pastime, Dungeons & Dragons. I’m also a medic with the MS National Guard so I also work on keeping my medical skills sharp either through my own reading or training with a few different units.Q: What have you learned about yourself personally since starting CrossFit?A: I’ve learned that I do my best work when I have someone there to push me to go a little bit faster, or to go a little bit harder. The camaraderie of a group class is one of the things that motivates me to reach my own personal goals.Q: Why did you become a CrossFit coach, and what is your favorite/least favorite part about it?A: Around five years ago, a friend of mine invited me to my first ever CrossFit workout and I’ve been hooked ever since. The camaraderie, the challenge, and the emphasis on self improvement appealed to me on multiple levels and gave me much needed motivation and competition. I knew right away that this was something I wanted to make a major part of my life. I started by working for Steel Monkey CrossFit in Mississippi, from there I worked for the Mississippi University for Women as the Strength & Conditioning Coach for the athletics department where I worked with teams of all different sports ranging from tennis to volleyball. And eventually found my way to Austin from Columbus, Mississippi in order to train here at Renew.If i had to pick a favorite part of my job, it would be at the end of the workout when everyone is walking around recovering and giving each other high fives. That group support means a lot to me and others so to help facilitate that is a big deal for me.My least favorite part is early morning wake ups. Hands down.Q: If you had to do one movement in every workout for the rest of your life, what would it be and why isn’t it the Assault Bike?A: Burpee Box Jump Overs. It’s a movement that builds excellent fitness while also keeping you humble. Also this is probably the closest I’ll ever get to being a parkour ninja.Q: What is one thing outside the gym that you’re excited about doing/seeing/accomplishing in the next year?A: One of the things that I’m most excited for is an opportunity next year to Attend Army Ranger school. It’s a tough course but I’m definitely excited to go work on some cool medical skills.Q: Please tell us one embarrassing story about yourself.A: So one time in college, I was writing a paper on Vikings for my capstone project. All was well and good, I felt confident in the work that I sent in. The next morning my professor emailed me and simply said “wrong file.” I had been working for the school paper at the time and I published a few short stories while I was there, and my girlfriend had convinced me to try my hand at writing a romantic story… which I had just sent to my professor. Which would have been fine, but my professor decided that she enjoyed it so much she would give everyone in the class bonus points if I read it out loud in class. All in all it was a small price to pay for getting some bonus points for everyone if it meant a little embarrassment for me. However, I know I’ll never forget reading a story titled, “The Jarl and her Stablehand” out loud to my peers.Ryder is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you’re gonna get. Welcome to the team, Ryder!