Some of the strongest people we know don’t talk about how strong they are. They just show up. Talon is one of those people.
In our latest podcast, we sat down with Talon, an underground miner at Goldstrike and a 10-year member of the mine rescue team, to talk about how CrossFit fits into one of the toughest schedules and work environments you can imagine.
A Schedule Most People Couldn’t Handle
Talon works rotating 12-hour shifts, day and night, with about 3 hours of commute time on top of that. His “office” is a tunnel that can hit 160°F with humidity, where he and his crew rely on water, electrolytes, and yes — pickle juice and mustard — to keep cramps and heat exhaustion at bay.
He’s also an EMT, a wildland firefighter, a structure firefighter, a confined space operator, and a dad to three pre-teen sons.
And somehow, he still makes it into the gym.
Why He Keeps Showing Up
Talon is candid about what drives him: self-motivation, the desire to keep up with his kids, and a refusal to be the guy on the couch who can’t move when he gets older. He also doesn’t want to let his coworkers — or his coaches — down.
Since starting at CrossFit Reincarnation, he’s gotten stronger, his cardio has climbed, and his confidence has gone up. He went from barely being able to climb the rope to going up and down three times unbroken. He’s training for the Spartan Beast — a half marathon over rolling hills in the middle of August. And he’s tackling it alongside a longtime friend who pushes him to keep going.
The Real Reason This Works
One of our favorite parts of the conversation was when Talon talked about why CrossFit Reincarnation feels different. He’s seen people get body-shamed at other gyms, and he’s heard friends say they’re afraid to walk into a CrossFit class because they think it’ll be too intense or too judgmental.
That’s not what we’re about. Our gym is built to be a safe place — no matter your age, your build, or your starting point. We have members in their 60s training after back surgery. We have miners coming in straight off night shift. We have parents squeezing in workouts between school drop-offs and sports practice. Everyone belongs here.
If You’ve Been Thinking About Coming In
Talon’s advice is simple: don’t be scared to walk in. You’re trying to do the right thing for yourself, and that’s worth more than worrying about what anyone else thinks.
If his story sounds anything like yours — long shifts, busy family, a body that’s tired but a mind that knows it can do more — come give us a try. Bring a friend. Leave the fear at the door.
