SUCCESS STORIES

David Traxler
Adam Finkelstein
Don Hostler
Lane Holland
Nahara Pacheco
Testimonials

Ever since I left college, I have been trying to find a way to feel that competitive mindset I once had when I played football. I never had trouble going to the gym, lifting weights, running on the treadmill, going to spin class, etc., but something was missing. I didn't have a way to push myself to really achieve the things that my mind told me I couldn't do. I didn't have a way to measure myself to see if I had gotten any results. I was able to get into shape, feel good about myself and the way I looked, but what's the point if I really didn't accomplish what I wanted and feel the competitive drive I once had? I needed a change.

Luckily, my friend, Brian Jaffe and his partner Zee Brod opened The Cave. I had heard of CrossFit before but had never experienced it first hand. I will never forget the first intro class I took. I walked in to that small garage (the original "Cave") and saw that whiteboard with times posted for everyone to see. I saw goals written down, times documented, and I started to realize that this could be for me. After the intro was over and we moved on to the WOD (Workout of the Day), I recognized a big clock overhead. Next thing you know it beeps, 3, 2, 1…GO! I was in.

The feeling I had after the first workout at the Cave was a feeling I remembered and could never forget. I had found something that challenged my mind and body and gave me that competitive edge I was looking for. Now that I am going on my fourth month at Cave Crossfit, everything is starting to click. I constantly read about it, learn new movements and exercises, and am constantly looking at my results and actually seeing myself become a better me. Physically, I am stronger and in better shape than I was while playing college football in the SEC. I have lost 10 pounds and dropped my body fat 3%, all while getting stronger and hitting new personal records. Emotionally, I feel better about myself and my health than I ever have. Mentally, well, let's just say the word "can't" is no longer in my vocabulary. Cave Crossfit safely pushes your mind and body to do things that are totally possible and obtainable, even when your mind is saying NO. The results are clear and the coaches continue to show that with their guidance, we athletes can accomplish anything. Dieting and getting up to go the gym are no longer hassles or annoyances. It is what I do, something I look forward to, and simply the highlight of my day.

I'm sure you have heard people say "CrossFit has changed my life", well add another one to the tally because it has done just that. I really don't see myself ever going back to the gym and tossing around some weights or taking a stroll on the treadmill. What I do see myself doing is challenging myself, with the help of Cave CrossFit, to becoming the best possible person I can. In health and friendships, I will always strive to be better. It is not about the workouts, it is about you and your life. That is why Cave CrossFit’s slogan is so great. "Building a Better You". Whether its being a better mom, dad, brother, sister, employee, athlete, or friend, Cave Crossfit WILL get you to that goal, and to top it off, they will get you those physical results as well!

I can't wait to continue to live a better life through Cave CrossFit, constantly building a better me. My goals continue to change and become more and more challenging, but one thing is for sure, I have no doubt that when I put my mind on something, I will achieve it.

-David Traxler

BEFORE
AFTER

Before finding Cave CrossFit, I felt lethargic all around--physically and mentally. I had a lot of troublemotivating myself to meet the goals I set for myself--eating healthier, drinking less alcohol (a lot less alcohol) and getting to my peak level of physical fitness.

After joining Cave CrossFit, I found my life changing at an exponential rate. The days I go to the Cave are the highlight of my week. I am excited to get up in the morning and walk into the box to see a new challenge on the board. I have completely transformed my eating habits and have almost completely stopped drinking alcohol. I can push myself harder not only on days when I go to Cave CrossFit but also on days off. I go on longer bike rides than ever before, I get more done on the weekends, and I have a more positive outlook. I am now always looking for new ways to challenge myself to become a better person emotionally, physically, and mentally.

Going forward at Cave CrossFit, I hope to maintain the current progress I have been making and get into the best shape possible. Based on the results so far, I know I will!

-Adam Finkelstein

BEFORE
AFTER

I have been teaching exercise for 20+ years and currently teach part-time. My full-time job is in TV-production and currently work in Music Clearance and Licensing on the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance.” On the weekends I also teach flying trapeze at Trapeze School New York (TSNY) on the Santa Monica Pier. One could say I have a busy schedule and at times it gets quite stressful, but fortunately I LOVE everything I do!

I first saw Cave Crossfit on my way to the Bagel Broker and was curious about it, so I checked out some YouTube videos. What I saw was ‘hardcore,’ and I wondered whether I could do something that intense. I thought I would give Crossfit a try to keep up my endurance. I was a little tentative at first but determined to ‘keep up.’ My first goal was to get a muscle up for which I looked up at the rings and tried to do one everyday before finally, at the end of my second week, I achieved it! This felt like a major accomplishment.

I started at Cave Crossfit at the perfect time as the Paleo Challenge was starting in April and as a competitive person I decided to sign-up. My first week eating Paleo went well, and I was ready for more. After my second week of eating Paleo, I could see a change in my body, but occasionally fell short and cheated a little. One of the main things I took away from eating Paleo was the ‘grass-fed, free-range, organic and wild caught’ meats and fish. They taste so much better and are better for you. I also have managed to eliminate most dairy and grains out of my diet.

As I kept coming to classes the ‘tiger’ inside me was stirred and woke up. I never knew before that I could push myself so hard and really never realized how competitive I could be with others and myself. Each day I come to the Cave I leave it all on the floor and give it my all.

I have become ‘goal’ driven and each time I write a goal down, I don’t stop until I reach it. I carry that mentality with me into my everyday life, and it has helped me stay focused with my diet and not ‘cheat’ as often. I work too hard to let myself down or fall back! Before the Cave, I sabotaged my successes with food; right when I would get close to achieving a goal, I would ‘overeat’ and fall short. That is not happening any longer!

At the end of the Paleo challenge I trimmed 3 minutes off my WOD time which was a goal of mine. However, I NEVER expected to lose 4.2% bodyfat, losing 8.3 lbs of fat and gaining 3lbs of lean muscle. I was happy with my results but was convinced that I did not win the challenge so I spent the afternoon before the potluck trying to prepare my best Paleo so I could at least have a shot at winning something. When they announced that I won, I was blown away and honored! I can’t express how grateful I am to Brian, Zee, Nikki, and all my Cave comrades that push me everyday to ‘build a better me’!

I really consider everyone at the Cave to be a part of my family and feel blessed to be a part of such an amazing group of people!

-Don Hostler

BEFORE
AFTER

Before starting CrossFit, I felt tired all of the time, and I never got enough sleep. I would roll out of bed at 9:30am to get to work by 10am and would struggle to stay awake throughout the day. All I could think about was getting home to the couch to watch TV! As far as diet goes, I would eat cereal for breakfast and immediately feel hungry about an hour later. I snacked all day on things that I thought were healthy and ended the day with a big dinner that made me feel heavy.

Since joining Cave CrossFit and eating Paleo, I've lost 4 pounds and almost 10% body fat! I've learned so much about diet thru the Cave nutrition seminar and have really embraced the Paleo diet as a way of life. I learned that all the "healthy" things that I was eating were actually hurting me. Being a member of Cave CrossFit has challenged me more than anything ever has. I'm stronger than I've ever been in my entire life and I'm doing things I never thought I'd be able to do. My goal going in to CrossFit was to get bikini-ready for the summer; four months later, I'm more fit than I've ever been, and I'm starting to see signs of a six-pack. However, I'm really more focused on landing my pull-up than anything else! Right now, I feel bad-ass!

Moving forward, I feel like I'm getting my body ready for something big. Someday soon my husband and I would like to start a family and when that day comes I want to be fit so that I can have a healthy pregnancy. I want to be a strong mom and I want my muscles to snap back in to shape after giving birth!

-Lane Holland

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BEFORE
AFTER

Before joining the Cave CrossFit Community I had a personal trainer; it was an excellent investment for someone seeking long-term physical fitness and drastic weight loss. I participated in a strict regime of 6-7 days a week of Bootcamp, Turbokick, Spin, Running, and or Strength training. I was desperately seeking the long-term health benefits of exercise and in doing so, slowly driving myself insane trying to keep up with the demands these extra curricular activities required of me. The business of losing weight was confusing, demanding, and stressful. I religiously counted calories, not really understanding the importance of nutrition and what nutrition really was; the quality of the calorie had no meaning in my head. Every calorie counted, as it didn't matter if it was a carrot or a piece of bread. I was on a “diet” with an exercise regime I knew deep in my heart I couldn’t sustain for the rest of my life.

Four months ago, I was confused and desperate to lose the weight by any means possible; I was a train wreck hurdling through extreme weight loss trying to shed the pounds as fast as possible. I was working hard but not smart. Then I found Cave CrossFit. Since meeting Brian, Zee and the community that is the Cave and CrossFit as a whole, a lot has changed in my views on fitness and nutrition. Being new to the community, like most CrossFitters, I spent a lot of time researching all things CrossFit, including the highly advocated Paleo eating lifestyle. The passion and dedication I found in the community was inspiring both online and off. Men and women formed a bond over WODs and bacon, and I loved it! CrossFit is more than fitness; it encompasses your entire day with discipline and drive. Completing a workout you initially thought was crazy and not qualified to finish does that to you; it makes you see the world straight on, with a BRING IT mentality, unafraid to push harder in all aspects of your life.

Since joining Cave CrossFit and winning the Paleo Challenge I have lost 10 pounds of body fat and replaced it with 5 pounds of muscle losing more than 4% body fat! Moreover, I have never been so happily busy. My weekends are full of activities all related to building a healthier lifestyle. The energy and sense of freedom I have gotten from CrossFit/Paleo has enabled me to see the world as a playground, one I can challenge myself in all sorts of fun ways. Indeed, I'm always in the lookout for Paleo recipes to try out at home, and researching form and technique for my clean and jerks...or thinking about buddy runs, and who I’d chose as a partner! And I'm ALWAYS talking about it, but I can't help it! It’s that exciting knowing that I have a better future ahead of me, knowing I have the tools in my hands to build a better future for myself.

The mental, physical, and emotional strength I’ve gained by joining the Cave is a gift I am really glad to have gained and one people seek their entire lives for. I'm now on a path of life long fitness and health that is sustainable. Even if I may not be capable of doing a pull up (I'm still on a green band), I know I will get one eventually. I see what

CrossFit is and what it can do for me. And for that reason, all I can do is look forward to all the wonderful changes I know will come my way in my fitness and life through training at Cave CrossFit . I feel educated enough to make better choices. I no longer fear a future of yo-yo dieting, but look forward to a lifelong dinner party with friends sharing Paleo eats and WOD times. The successes I will experience in the box will translate in every other aspect of my life and I’m glad for that. Thank you Brian and Zee for introducing me to a better lifestyle!

And as a final note, if you are considering joining the CrossFit community, I’d suggest you do. You will not regret the growth you will experience in all aspects of your life. Do not fear the workouts, as everything can be modified to your level. More importantly, exercise is really important to your health but without proper nutrition, you will not get all the benefits of your hard work. Combining nutrition and smart exercise will give you the best benefits; one cannot succeed without the other. I’ve learned that the hard way after a full year of freakishly dieting and exercising like a mad woman. I now feel liberated eating smart and working out smart and seeing the results in my body and mind!

-Nahara Pacheco

TESTIMONIALS

I love the community in the Cave. Being a woman, the gym and especially tough workout regimes like CrossFit can kind of feel like a boys club. I don't feel that way in the Cave, even when I am the only girl in the class. I feel welcomed and encouraged. I am also surprised to see the beginnings of a bicep! I have to say there is something exciting about meeting a goal or even passing one. I finally got my jump rope singles. Next stop, pull ups!

-Julie Daniel

Before I started doing Crossfit, I used to go to a regular gym and was ready to “change” my life. Out of the entire year I had membership, I probably went four months consistently. I never had real motivation to workout, and rarely saw results from my hard work Then one day, a good friend of mine, Zee, found Crossfit and it pretty much became his life outside of work. He would preach about it to me nonstop -and since I stopped going to the gym- he wanted me to give it a shot. I denied his request, primarily because the workouts were intimidating to me. Fast forward a year later and Cave Crossfit comes to fruition. In support of my friend and the interest of my own health, I finally decided to give it a shot. Let’s just say, my life has completely turned around ever since. I used to be underweight and had various health problems. Since starting at Cave Crossfit, I have put on 15 lbs. and have noticed huge changes in my health and athleticism. I am happier with my life, feel good physically throughout my entire day, and can’t wait to do another workout. Zee and Brian are both exceptional people and coaches, and will push you comfortably to your working potential. I highly recommend coming in and seeing what Cave CrossFit is all about! I promise you will not be disappointed.

-Jacob Roth

The cave is the best part of my day, every day. Brian and Zee are two of the nicest people I know and they know how to kick your ass into gear with a smile on their face. I'm glad to be part of the Cave family!

-Levi Chadorow

The Cave has been amazing! Brian, Zee, and Charlie are all you could ask for when it comes to being inspirational coaches and leaders. They do an excellent job of teaching all of the lifting movements and implementing them into our workouts. They push you when you think you can't go anymore, and are with you every step of the way helping you accomplish all of your goals. I was an athlete in college and since then, I haven't been able to find a regular gym routine that I enjoy that also makes me push myself to achieve my goals. The Cave immediately fulfilled that need. The atmosphere at The Cave is a one of a kind experience. I really can't see myself doing anything other than CrossFit. When I "Enter The Cave", I always come out a better man.

-David Traxler

Before the Cave, I was wasting time at the gym. Brian and Zee are great coaches, I couldn't be happier about jumping into CrossFit!

-Ryan McNeily

I'm a credited screenwriter, academic tutor, and professional script reader. So my work week consists of a lot of sitting down indoors locked inside my own head. With no real athletic background prior to crossfit, my routine was starting to negatively affect my fitness and energy levels. I love crossfit in general because it gives me the chance to stop thinking about outlines and deadlines and instead focus with single-minded intensity on picking up the bar, or picking up my pace, or getting that one last rep in before coach calls "time." I love Cave Crossfit in particular because it's a genuine, supportive community of athletes from all different backgrounds and fitness levels, with a shared purpose of making ourselves better, and not just physically. The coaches at Cave Crossfit encourage their athletes to be adaptable, to avoid shortcuts, and to embrace the challenge of getting better at the workouts we hate the most (er, "like the least"), making us feel more mentally prepared to tackle even the most daunting, unexpected challenges that arise in daily life.

-Scott "Rocky" Wolman

I've gone down 2 belt notches in 2 months. While the physical changes are fantastic, the thing I love the most is the encouraging and inclusive atmosphere in Cave. You guys have created something special, and all of us who walk through your doors each week reap tremendous rewards that we might never have had if you hadn't decided to be bold and pursue your dream.

-Rodney Holland

I wanted to thank my entire 6:15am class at Cave Crossfit. I was really ready to throw in the towel after struggling with the "Toes to Bar", but with Coach Jaffe's encouragement I slowly worked through the rounds. When I was at the last 3 rounds and I had no more gas, everyone cheered me on, and it made the world of difference. It didn't just help me get through the workout, it also made me realize that I am part of a great community. Thank you Pauline, Sam, Mendy, Joel, Todd and James. And Brian and Zee, you should be proud of what you have built.

-Josh Levine

I just wanted to say thank you to both of you for welcoming me with open arms into your box. Thanks for being so supportive of me and having confidence in me that I can achieve anything. You don't realize it, but when your box backs you up it makes a HUGE difference in your progression, no matter what level you are at.

-Nikki Coletta