Road to Regionals – TWL Athlete Interview Callum Ward
Placing 20th in this year’s Open, Melbourne’s Callum Ward is on fire preparing for Regional’s this year, after narrowly missing out last year! Winning is sweet for Callum, but even more so is his favourite cheat meal of chocolate! Read on to find out more about Callum’s training and preparation in the lead up to this year’s CrossFit Regionals:
You finished 20th (in Aus), in this year’s Open. What was your favourite Open workout?
The HSPU/Clean workout I enjoyed doing the most.
Qualifying for Regionals in 2013, but missing out in 2014. How did that feel to miss out?
I knew I was going to make it in 2014 after being hospitalised in January from eating some off chicken and dropping 10kgs in a week. I tried my best but wasn’t good enough.
In not competing in the 2014 Regionals, how did this affect you for 2015? Did you become more motivated, more structured?
Motivation was high and I was hungry to make it back to Regionals.
Achieving that goal of qualifying for Regionals in 2015, what does that mean to you?
It means the programming works and reassures me that if I put my head down and do the work I’m capable of making it.
How has your preparation been for Regionals this year?
Long! I started 6months ago with Open Prep doing 1-2 Repeat Open WODs per week.
Is there anything you’ve done differently this year to previous years?
This year I’m doing a lot more rowing, Assault bike and EMOM’s.
Tell us some more Wards Gym/CrossFit Chalk City that you own with you brother?
It’s been great being able to work alongside my older brother and grow what started as a small business into what we have today.
What is one of the best things about owning a CrossFit affiliate?
The flexibility.
How does owning a gym affect your training?
It doesn’t if anything it gives me more time to fit in my sessions.
Many athletes rely on training with other elite athletes to keep them motivated. What keeps you motivated to pursue the grind everyday?
I have a few haters out there, and knowing that me making it back to Regionals fuels my fire.
I’ve heard also that you’ve just had a baby? Has becoming a father affected that way you think about CrossFit, your training and lifestyle?
Definitely, I have a 4 week old and she’s the perfect time waster. After Regionals I’ll be taking a year off to focus of being there for Leasa and Indiana-Rae. Plus focus on my Olympic lifting.
What’s your favourite cheat meal?
It has to be a block of chocolate! When my training increases so does my consumption of chocolate.
AMRAP Quick Stats:
Age: 28
How long have you been Crossfiting for? Since 2012
Fran: 2.20
Back squat: 205kg
If there was a WOD named after you, what would it be?
2 rounds for time
30 Ring MU+30 Deadlifts@140+30 HSPU
Affiliate: CrossFit Chalk City (Wards Gym)
Coach: Myself
Photo Credit: Frankie Lee Matthews Photography