Time to highlight one of our spectacular athletes! What makes up an Athlete of the Month? Not crushing the hardest every workout or lifting the most weight. This athlete exhibits consistency and a hard work mentality. Every time they come to the gym they have a good attitude and give their all. This person is also welcoming of others, helping make H Dub the best community there is. Each month we choose a different athlete and post some fun facts about them to help y’all get to know them better.
Congrats goes to Vivek Chandra! Vivek is the kind of guy who is always up for a challenge as well as a good time. He is a dog lover and a diehard Ohio sports fan. Learn more about Vivek in his questionnaire below:
Name: Vivek Chandra
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Age: 44
Occupation: Attorney
Tell us a little bit about yourself:
Well, I grew up in Cincinnati, OH (Go Bucks, Bengals and Reds!), but have now spent 25+ years in Nashville. So, I really consider Nashville my hometown. I have two German Shepherds, Xaia and Bucky, who think they run my life. For fun, I enjoy spending time with family, friends and my dogs, usually with a cocktail or two. I enjoy a good hike when time permits, which hasn’t been as much as I would like the past few years. A few friends and I hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro a few years ago and it was amazing. I’d like to get back to taking similar trips next year. Maybe Machu Picchu in Peru or Mt Blanc in the Alps.
What were your goals when you started training?
My main goal at the start was to get healthy. After I got back from the Mt Kilimanjaro hike, I let health and fitness become less of a priority. Then COVID hit and bad habits set-in and the next thing I knew I was in the worse shape I had ever been in my life. It got to a point where it was affecting my long term health and well being. So, I started making fitness a priority. I slowly started to get back into better shape, but felt I needed to push myself more. That’s when I reached out to Trey about joining H Dub.
How long have you been at H Dub and how did you get into it? I joined H Dub in March, so 4-5 months ago. I had previous experience with CrossFit from many, many years ago and Trey and Lacee were my coaches back then. So, when I was ready to come back, I knew exactly who to contact.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing we do in training?
I don’t know if there is anything I would call my favorite or least favorite. I would characterize it as things that come more naturally to me versus things with which I struggle. I think lifting (squats, olympic lifting, etc.) come more naturally to me and I definitely struggle more with gymnastics. But I enjoy the fact that everyday is different at the gym and calls upon many different elements.
How has H Dub positively affected you?
I think the tag line says it all, “Good Vibes, Hard Work”. It’s a place where I can push myself to get better while surrounded by good people supporting each other.
What advice do you have for newcomers?
Stick to it. The only way to improve is to continue practicing the movements over and over again. Also, get to know as many people at the gym as possible. No matter how hard the workout, it’s a lot easier if you enjoy hanging out with the people at the gym.
What is something no one at the gym knows about you?
My dream retirement would involve starting a dog rescue shelter
Who are 3 people you would have a meal or drink with dead or alive?
Larry David or John Stewart for laughs, and Anthony Bourdain because he’d know the best places to have a meal or drink
If you had an intro song when you walk into the gym what would it be.
Pepas by Farruko
Favorite Sport?
Football – American Style
If you could have one superpower what would it be?
The ability to eat anything I want in any quantity with no repercussions
What is your favorite thing to eat?
Any Indian food my mother makes