Athletes of the Month: The Zipf Family (Steve)

Steve Zipf

Hometown: Haddonfield, NJ

Current Location: Gladwyne

Age: 73

Occupation: Businessman

College: University of Pennsylvania; Harvard University

How long have you been a CrossFitter? June 2009

Did you ever play sports? High School Swimming / Track.

College Crew

Got some cool (or uncool) hobbies you'd like to share? Exploring a new city in my travels.

What has been your biggest achievement at CrossFit in general? There are too many to count ! Sharing the experience with my family is #1. My son Kit began CrossFit at Annapolis first in 2009 and then got me started at KOP. Along the way it’s been great to have my daughter Ali work out with me (Thank you Aimee ! ). And best of all is my wife Donna became a CrossFitter last year. (Thank you Jenna ! )

What skill(s) had you been working on all during 2019, and did (it)they become a success ? Balance and core – I want to prevent falls and to have core strength to pick up my grandchildren.

Active Goals for the 2020 year? Rebuild strength after quad tear surgery

What's your favorite WOD? Any WOD with deadlifts, farmer’s carry or the Concept 2 rower.

How about your favorite food/snacks? Chocolate any kind ! Clementines

What is the craziest workout outside of CF you have ever done? Running in place for 90 minutes 

What’s your least favorite WOD? Anything with Burpees

Favorite lift/movement? Deadlift

What’s your least favorite lift/movement? Front squat

Whats your favorite piece of workout "gear"? My Bombas socks

What would you say is your biggest improvement since starting CF? Functional fitness across a spectrum of daily activities.

Who is your favorite coach? I’m grateful to all our great coaches who make KOP such a special community. I’ve been blessed to have had Aimee coaching me from my first day as a CrossFitter. 

This Athlete of the Month Q & A gives me a chance to thank her. Aimee, I want to express to the world my thanks and appreciation to you and CrossFit KOP community for all you have done for me. When I came to meet you in June, 2009, with my US Marine son, Kit, it had been over 2 years since I even took a walk for exercise. Kit knew that I was both unmotivated and out of shape after two surgeries, an 8 month viral illness and the diagnosis of diabetes type 2. You listened and you understood. It didn't matter that my age (60+) (now 70+) was a long way from the elite athletes who trained at CrossFit KOP every day. We started CrossFit slowly -- first privately one on one and built up to two or three Workouts of the Day (WOD) each week with the KOP community. Those sessions weren't easy, but you and your coaches made it fun and adjusted (scaled) the workouts to my personal level of fitness. A wonderful bonus was the great support from my fellow KOP CrossFitters (except on my birthday when they had to do an unmentionable number of burpees equal to my age). Every week has been better than the last. The results speak for themselves: lower weight, better strength, lower blood sugar and much improved balance. Renewed health gave me back my daily functional activities of life and appreciation for the things I missed. You saw it too. I wrote this to be a testimonial, so I want to share a whole list of the qualities you bring to all your training: planning every workout; educating us with new skills and a new vocabulary in every session; patience as those skills begin to acquire "muscle memory"; boundless enthusiasm; encouragement at the right physical moment; and the focus and discipline to help us all achieve our "Personal Best".

PR's to mention? Goals Reached? Nutrition highlights?.. Every day is a PR for me !