The Garage Games
Catching up with Ty Hanson about The Pensacola Beach Brawl, leaves me more excited about the event, and way more excited about the idea of being at the beach in September… especially a Florida Beach! No wonder competitors are coming from all around the country for this one!
GG: What was the driving desire behind this competition?
Ty: The driving desire has always been to put on an awesome competition right by the Beach. What an awesome combo that is, and we chose late September for a reason. It’s the best time to come enjoy the Beach. The summer crowd is out (…gone), the rates are cheaper, it’s not scorching hot, and the water is the prettiest!
GG: Why the beach?
Ty: The Beach is home to us. We want to show everyone how beautiful our Beaches are and let them enjoy some friendly Crossfit competition at the same time. Can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend. And the good part is there are plenty of places to stay that are very reasonably priced.
GG: Tell us about how you got into CrossFit.
Ty: I first got introduced into Crossfit by Tuck at the end of 2009/early 2010 but couldn’t really jump in all the way because I was training for a Half-Ironman and thought that would mess me up. I know now that was just silly. I remember doing the Adventure Race up in Blue Ridge in April 2010 with you (Dr. Eric), Andy McCann, John, and Curtis, (all members of The Garage) and you all were talking about Crossfit non-stop. At that point, I really wanted to jump in but had the Half-Ironman in May and I was afraid. Once the triathlon was over though, I jumped in all the way and have been hooked ever since. ‘Randy’ was my first real Crossfit WOD- I did it and literally turned white, but fell in love. It has been awesome to stay in touch with you Garage guys over the past few years and watch each other grow together. My first Crossfit competition was The Garage Games One in 2011 and that was a blast. There were several Games athletes there and probably over 30 Regional athletes as well so it was awesome to throw down with all that talent. I have probably done over 10 Garage Games events the past 2 years and have picked up a lot of neat things we want to implement in our Event.
GG: I know we have some local Southeast Regional competitors coming, who are they?
Ty: Brandon Phillips, EZ Muhammad, Irving Hernandez, Travis Mayer, Simon Nickerson, Nic Longo, Kirk Gibson, Quinn Otte, Ryan Sunshine, and a few more who have expressed likelihood in coming. These are all athletes that I have seen compete first hand, and they are all super impressive. EZ Muhammad stands out especially- I have watched him evolve over the past year and his gains are mind-boggling. I can’t imagine an athlete improving more over a 1 year span. He will be a force to be reckoned with in the very near future as long as he stays healthy.
GG: Tell us something about the event that you don’t mind letting out of the bag:
Ty: Athletes will definitely get a chance to run on the Beach with the most beautiful sand in the World and display their abilities let’s just say that. But the cool part will be just being able to go down to the water and relax after a workout or before a workout and just chill. Most of the time at Crossfit competitions you are sitting in the middle of a field and it’s 90+ degrees, not this one. You can go cool off in the Gulf all day if you want to or just sit in the sand and relax.
GG: What else can you tell us about your CrossFit Journey?
Ty: Unfortunately I don’t really coach. I have a full-time desk job and it drives me crazy. We have done several clinics at our gym though regarding moving better and strategies, and they have been a big hit. My main goal is just to make it to Regionals every year and compete with the top talent in the Southeast. I’ve qualified the past 2 years and you can’t describe how fun the weekend is. It’s all the motivation you need to come in every day and lay it all on the line.
GG: In closing, I’ll add this. Ty has been a sponge for competition, and he has also had a thirst for getting away from his desk. He has been working to make the switch to full time CrossFit life, and I bet we’ll see him in the trenches of this lifestyle, 100% really soon! Thanks for your candidness Ty!