Hamilton Member of the Month for July 2025 Ian Kroetsch
Tell us about yourself
I grew up playing hockey and suffered a traumatic neck injury at 13. I was told I wouldn’t be able to play sports, or work out again- but I decided that wouldn’t be the end of my story. Since then, I’ve been committed to pushing my physical limits and proving what’s possible. I went on to serve 16 years in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves, which deepened my understanding of resilience and performance. Now I stay active through running, weightlifting, swimming, cycling, and CrossFit- only now, I get to do it for fun instead of doing it as part of my job.
What got you into CrossFit?
Honestly, I resisted it at first. My wife, Simcoe, had joined and kept encouraging me to give it a try, but I was pretty set in my own training style. Eventually, she won me over- and I’m glad she did. Once I experienced the variety and challenge of CrossFit, I was hooked.
What do you like about Alchemy?
The community, hands down. Alchemy is full of incredibly fit individuals, but what makes it special is getting to know people beyond just how they perform in a workout. You never know who you’ll be partnered up with or what you’ll learn about them- it could be someone with a fascinating career, a shared interest, or just a great story. Building those connections, both in and out of the gym, has been one of the most rewarding parts of being here. Simcoe and I know we’ve made lifelong friends at Alchemy.
What has been your proudest moment at Alchemy?
Bench pressing again after rupturing my pec major in 2021. Mentally and physically, the recovery was tough. But doing my first bench again during a competition at WODs for Wishes with Gavin was a huge turning point. I had to relearn some hard lessons from earlier in my life about not setting artifical limits on yourself.
What are your CrossFit goals for the future?
To keep building endurance and refining my technique- without obsessing over PRs. Longevity and well-roundedness are my main goals now since I'm a masters athlete by CrossFit Games standards!
If you could design the perfect workout, what would it include?
Assault bike, hang snatches, and ring muscle-ups. Basically, a workout that I’d love and everyone else would probably hate.
What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in yourself since starting CrossFit?
Shifting my mindset from cherry-picking workouts that consist of what I’m good at to intentionally working on weaknesses. That’s carried over into life outside of the gym as well. I've pushed myself to run my first marathon, do a sprint triathlon and this summer I'm gearing up to complete an Olympic distance triathlon.
When you’re not at the gym, what’s your favourite thing to do?
Long-distance runs. It’s where I clear my head, think through problems, and just enjoy being outside regardless of the season. Better than any attempt I’ve ever made at meditation
What’s your favourite local Hamilton food spot?
Rapscallion (that whipped feta!) is a classic. But after a tough WOD, nothing beats the vibe at The Mule. Plus, let’s be honest, margaritas live there.