Meet the Men: Team CrossFit Central
The CrossFit Games are one-month away and Team CrossFit Central is on a mission to make history with a podium finish at the big show.
Team CrossFit Central is also making history with its roster—specifically the men.
For the first time in our affiliate’s history, all three men on the squad are not part of the CC coaching staff.
This is a milestone in that one of our goals within our own program is to raise up athletes who, if they desire, are prepared and able to compete at an elite level.
While we desire the same for our coaches, if that is their goal, we are excited to offer others the programming, coaching and guidance it takes to “go to the ‘ship.’” So who exactly is Jeremy Kampen, Jeff VanlandinGham and Brandon Mayernik?
Meet the men of Team CrossFit Central:
Jeremy Kampen
Age: 35
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Occupation: Telecom. It’s a family owned business that specializes in wireless services (we help with cellular equipment on antennas)….it’s a desk job.
Q. What are the specific strengths you bring to the team?
A. I’m pretty good at pullups, and I’m an old guy….so hopefully wisdom.
Q. How did you discover CrossFit?
A. I first heard about Crossfit from an old college rugby buddy while visiting Austin (I lived in Dallas at the time). I checked out the website, tried a few WOD’s at the local 24 Hour Fitness and decided to enter my first competition which was the 2009 Regionals in Ft Worth. I got worked over pretty good and was hooked. Within a few weeks I bought my 1st set of bumper plates, pullup bar and rings and set up in my garage.
Q. How did you get into competing?
A. My past Open/Regional competition exposure was as an individual training in my garage. I competed in the 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2013 Open. In 2012, I placed 45th place in Open and13th at Regionals. Then, in 2013, I took 24th place in Open, and 18th at Regionals. I joined Crossfit Central Downtown in the hopes of competing on their Team. I love the camaraderie, challenge and competition each day in the gym with such great athletes and being forced outside of our comfort zone. Coach Winchester is a gifted coach and student of the sport, and I know he’s going to have us ready for the Games in California. I’m excited to see how we compare against the world’s best teams!
Q. What is your athletic background?
A. I played almost all sports as a kiddo, wrestled in high school, and played rugby in college
Q. Favorite workout?
A. My favorite workout was probably the final Team workout from this years Regionals, I like pullups and OHS.
Q. Favorite healthy food?
A. Steak and hamburgers. Oh yes, and baby food pouches (I steal them from our 2 year old), they are good, nutritious and super convenient!
Q. What do you like to do outside CrossFit?
A. I love being with my wife, Lindsay, and my 3 kids (2,4,6), and I love being active outside (golf, hunting, fishing).
Q. If you could workout/eat dinner with anyone-dead or alive, who would it be and why?
A. I’d like to go through a few 2-a-days with the Baylor Football Team (with their Strength and Conditioning Coach & Art Briles present)
Q. What inspires you?
A. My teammates, Crossfit Central Community, Phil 4:13 and my wife (she has made a ton of sacrifices to allow me to train and compete and I’m super grateful and inspired by her confidence/support of my pursuits)
Q. Current life goals?
A. CrossFit goals- I want to make the podium at the Games this year. Life goals- I just want to be the best husband/father I can be. I’m a spiritual person and I want my life and influence to positively reflect Jesus.
Jeff Valandingham
Age: 29
Hometown: Round Rock, TX
Occupation: CPA (Currently an account manager at a private software company)
Q. What are the specific strengths you bring to the team?
A. Primarily good looks…not really. I am stronger than most dudes and can move better than most strong guys. Otherwise, I don’t have any super-human strengths, like snatching 300 lbs. like Brandon, but I do most things well.
Q. How did you discover CrossFit?
A. I started CrossFit about four years ago when my big brother took me to a free Saturday workout at Crossfit Central. At the time, I was a runner recovering from overuse injuries but quickly became hooked as I saw gains I was making and my body comp results. About after one year of starting CrossFit I began to get the itch to compete, which is when I joined the GGRX program and started training with Winchester.
Q. How did you get into competing?
A. Prior to the 2014 games season, I had been on one Regional team in 2012 and competed at numerous local competitions primarily in the team divisions. Making the Games has always been a bucket list type of life event ever since I started competing. Since winning our region, I still find myself stopping mid-thought at work and thinking, ‘Wait, did I make the Games? Holy shit I did.’ Crazy to think from where I started four years ago, that I’m here now. While its an honor to compete at the Games, based on our performance at Regionals, our goal is the podium at the Games.
Q. What is your athletic background?
A. Played football in high school but wasn’t really any good. Got into distance running (marathons and half marathons) towards the later half of my college years. Got pretty good and really loved it but couldn’t get over a couple of over use injuries and had to stop. During this time I weighed between 145 and 150 lbs. and currently, I weigh between 200 and 205. Eventually, I found Crossfit.
Q. Favorite workout?
A. A workout that I win… Something with a heavy front squat and gymnastics.
Q. Favorite healthy food?
A. Ribeye and sweet potatoes
Q. What do you like to do outside CrossFit?
A. Nothing terribly exciting. Watch movies, recover from CrossFit, talk about CrossFit… yea its pathetic.
Q. If you could workout/eat dinner with anyone-dead or alive, who would it be and why?
A. Jerry Seinfeld. Seinfeld is the best show ever.
Q. What inspires you?
A. A few of Ray Lewis-isms
– Effort is between you and you
– Only get one chance at greatness
– If tomorrow wasn’t promised, what would you give for today
Also Winchester left us with three words before our first workout: Confident, humble and hungry. Still gets me fired up thinking about it.
Brandon Mayernik
Age: 24
Hometown: Fairfax, Virginia
Occupation: Student at ACC, studying Psychology
Q. What are the specific strengths you bring to the team?
A. I don’t know I bring any specific strengths. I’d like to think I am a fairly well rounded athlete. Any mix of the four male competitors on our team could take my spot.
Q. How did you discover CrossFit?
A. I moved to Austin in May of 2012 and wanted something competitive to do. I found CrossFit after seeing the 2012 CrossFit Games on ESPN. I started in the beginning of September of 2012
Q. What is your athletic background?
A. I played football and lacrosse in high school. I was on the 2013 CrossFit Central Regional team.
Q. Favorite workout?
A. Amanda
Q. Favorite healthy food?
A. Chocolate milk
Q. What do you like to do outside CrossFit?
A. I like to bike, hike, learn new things, and find good food.
Q. If you could workout/eat dinner with anyone-dead or alive, who would it be and why?
A. Jesus Christ
Q. What inspires you?
A. Failure and independence inspire me.
Q. Current life goals?
A. My goal right now would be to finish school. As for CrossFit, any team going to the Games should have one goal in mind: Win. I’d like to compete as an individual in 2015.