Member Spotlight: Brian Barley

Can you tell us about yourself? Hometown, where you work, important people in your life, how you enjoy spending your free time etc. 

I was born and raised in Hurley. NY. At the age of 13 I was hired on at Gill's Corn Farm as a migrant worker. I worked at Gills from the age of 13 to 17.  I was then hired on at Kiniry Plumbing and Heating where my boiler career began.  I was with Kiniry until 1994 when my wife and I moved to Colorado. In 2010 I started my own plumbing business, specializing in boilers.  Currently the plumbing business is only international,  I have no desire to work in outer space.  The important people in my life are my wife Laura, who I call Stella. She really turned my life around.  When she meet me I was only making $3.10 an hour and riding my dirt bike around. Then again, we were only 14 at the time.  Kim Kiniry was a huge influence in my life and taught me the plumbing trade.  I stay in touch with Kim often.  Our springer spaniels and our basset hound are the coolest things going in my life. Any free time is spent running with the bird dogs in north eastern Montana.

How old were you when you started training CrossFit and what's your background in sport/fitness/movement prior to that?

I started CrossFit 6 months ago when I was 53 -7/8 years old.  My previous structured workout was June 11, 1987 gym class. Then it was off to work.

What initially interested you about CrossFit?

I was asked by my good friend Peter Sherman to come to a class. Peter's awesome!

What's your favorite thing about being a member at Sanitas?

I enjoy the challenge, the positive encouragement from the coaches, and the great people. I also enjoy making Josh Lee crazy.  He shook his head alot during my initial workouts.

What inspires you about other members in the gym?

Everyone there is very inspiring. No matter what time of day everyone is always great to be around.

What are your favorite CrossFit movements? Any you can't stand?

My favorite is wall walks.  I really don't have any movements I don't enjoy.

What advice do you have for others who are hesitant to get started?

My advice is just walk in the door and give it a try. I found out that if you do hard things in life, life isn't so hard.

What do you like to do when you’re not in the gym?

My main love is upland bird hunting for Hungarian partridge , sharptail gross, quail, and pheasants.  I'm also an alumni of Sniper Central, Makahia Group firearm training, and a graduate of Refuge medical training - trauma 1,2,3.