If you missed the gala, please take a moment and read the speeches that honoured this year’s recipients of our community leader awards.
Randy Sabo - (speech written by TJ and presented by Beau)
To some of you here tonight, it might be a surprise that the gym is open before 10am every week day. I know to Jay it is. For a very select group of members however, the morning classes are where the magic happens. They are a tight knit community all unto themselves who get in to the gym before most of our alarm clocks go off. They brave the elements and morning roads to show up for the first WOD of the day under the #JCainTrained program as the Guinea pigs for the rest of you. Just as with all other classes of the day, there are a select few who have taken on the roll as a community leader.
This roll is not something ever assigned. There is no special acknowledgement and it often goes completely unmentioned. It does not go unnoticed! To me a community leader is someone who puts the needs of others ahead of their own. They are someone who goes out of their to make others feel welcome, safe, heard and cared for. Their presence in any class is always something that brings positive energy, conversation and an effort for the workout no matter what is wrote on the whiteboard.
This years male community leader award goes to one of these very special morning members. He embodies what was mentioned above about putting the needs of others first. His selflessness often lends itself to celebrations for other at new PRs, milestones in the gym or special days in their life. Like anyone who has spent enough years as a member, the road has not always been easy for him. Life has a way of throwing injuries, conflicting schedules and family activity in the way of our coveted hour in the gym each day. Despite all this, he has never slowed down (OK, well maybe a little physically but I’m more talking metaphorically). Year after year, his humour fills the classes and has a way of bringing some morning energy to the building.
I have had the privilege of coaching this member for close to three of the over four years he has been a member at 306. I have been the recipient of countless Timmy’s vanilla lattes and a few too many shots far too early in the morning at his hand. Right now, I am sure that not only all the morning members know who I am talking about, but mostly likely all the rest of you as well. The one and only Mr. Randy Sabo.
Randy has been that face that shows up dragging one leg behind him on a scooter and a huge smile on his face all the while. We often got creative in his recovery from a soccer injury over the last year with movements and scaling. When most people would have put their membership on hold, Randy continued to come in and do what he can! It is effort like that that continues to get results in the gym. It’s effort like that that make him a true pleasure to coach.
Randy, with a little help from his beautiful wife Lynn, are helping hands at every morning celebration. He was part of a parking lot birthday party for me when the gym was shut down for CoVid. He is behind get-well and sympathy cards for members that make the rest of us look good as we sign. He is there to donate when the community is in need and lend a hand when it is required.
Randy, your name is so very well deserved on the “Community Leader Award” plaque. Thank you for supporting 306 for the past four years and two months. It is always a better day having you in class. Thank you for being your selfless and thoughtful self. It is an honour to call you my friend. Congratulations my man!
Crista Coughlin - written and presented by Kathy Le
It’s an honor to present this year’s female community leader. Jay had asked me to present this award and I was surprised since it had taken me many attempts to say yes to coaching, but I had no hesitation when he told me who the recipient was.
I think I can say for anyone who has had the pleasure of getting to know this year’s recipient over the years at 306 that she is a bright light in our community. She is a gracious host and a corporate boss as bitch; A mother and a dog mom; a committed partner and a true friend.
You’ll find her in our community helping out as a judge at the 3 on 3 competition, complaining that there are too many burpees in the wod, and feeding the weightlifters on competition day with tasty homemade treats.
She has a bubbly personality and you’ll always be greeted by her with a great big smile. If you’re lucky, she’ll greet you with a swift tap to the tush. Bryce can tell you how that feels!
Let’s all raise a glass
There’s big ships and little ships but there’s no ships like friendships.
To our 2021 female community leader, Crista Coughlin!