Timothy Carroll

For the past 20 years, I have been infatuated with strength training and fitness. All throughout high school and college, I sought to increase my knowledge about weight training and its benefits to the human body. In my early fitness years, I focused heavily on isolated, bodybuilding exercises. As my knowledge base grew, I began to incorporate more compound, functional weight training movements into my routine. It was what my training had been missing for so long. About 16 years ago I found CrossFit and began training with a friend in NYC in a four-story NYSC. Needless to say, it was not the most conducive environment for incorporating elements of weight lifting, gymnastics, and cardio all at once. Soon after, I moved from NYC to Hoboken and found CrossFit Hoboken. Not only did I find an amazing gym, but I also found a community of hard-working and supportive people who helped keep me accountable for my fitness goals. I was in love, and I knew that I wanted CrossFit to be a part of the rest of my life. In 2008, I became Level 1 certified and began to shadow as a trainer at Crossfit Hoboken. After four years of not being satisfied with my job, I decided to quit and follow my passion for CrossFit. In October of 2009, I opened CrossFit 908 in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey.

Since opening 908 Athletics, I helped open CrossFit Jersey City in 2012 and became a Certified CrossFit Coach (Level 3). In 2018 we opened 908 Athletics Westfield.  Our motto at 908 is “Community, Accountability, Hard Work.” Being healthy is not the easiest thing to do, but with the right support, the right trainers, and the right attitude, the sky's the limit for your fitness. We are just as heavily invested in our training and coaching as we are in our bonds with our community. What I originally thought would be just a “gym,” has turned into a family and a place I like to call home.

In June 2012 I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. It was not something I accepted easily, and it is still a daily struggle to get past the nagging reminders of finger sticks and the insulin pump that sits on my hip that looks a bit like a 1990s beeper. I never wanted to accept that I had a limitation, nor did I want a new excuse as to why I could not reach my fitness goals. While T1D certainly has its limitations, CrossFit has helped me to become mentally strong. It is easy to get down when blood sugar lows and highs can ruin not only your training but your day. However, through the strength I derive from physically challenging myself in CrossFit to compete, as well as the love and support my wife and my community give me, I am able to continue to pursue athletic endeavors. From 2011 through 2014, I competed at the CrossFit North East Regionals. In 2014, I began competing in a new co-ed team sport called GRID. I played for the DC Brawlers as their captain, and we were the champions of the inaugural season.  To this day I still compete in the CrossFit Open with the goal of maintaining a high level of fitness and challenging myself each year.

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CrossFit is a wonderful facet of the amazing world of fitness. It has helped me to achieve so many things from both a personal and business perspective. What’s more, is that I have seen hundreds of people make significant positive changes in their lives because of the CrossFit methodology.  My hope is to open more CrossFit gyms that help build strong bodies and strong minds.

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