Athlete of the Month : June 2025

The delay in this acknowledgement and Q&A does not take anything away from the much earned and deserved Athlete of the Month. If you needed legal assistance in Long Beach, there is a good chance you have heard the name Denis Kelly. If you’re a 5:30am regular, you know the name and face. Some of you might refer to him as Uncle Denis. My first meeting of Denis was in the gym coaching him. He was reserved at first but always looking to learn and improve. When I see that in someone with more life experience than me, I admire it and keep it in mind to take that character trait with me. As long as I remember, M-W-F were the days Denis came to the gym. Now, that’s a great way to have consistent, well rounded improvements. Until almost 2 years ago, that would have left you squatting, doing an engine workout and lifting again in some way. Denis was a prime example of someone who was looking to learn and get more well rounded but he wasn’t in the gym on skill or
bodyweight strength days (which are so important.) He was an influence for us to adjust to a rotating program through the weekdays. It’s been a great adjustment and doesn’t leave people stuck in a rut. You must be aware of what you’re getting into and not on autopilot. So Denis, thanks for that. Denis is my attorney for both the business and guided me legally when I bought my house last year. His professionalism, respect and knowledge is always appreciated. This last bit I will share before letting you dive into his very well answered Q&A is that in December of 2023, Denis introduced me to the book Outlive by Dr. Peter Attia. Not only does the content line up with everything I live by and try to instil in others, I relate to this very successful doctor who left surgery to pursue studying longevity. It is one of the books Denis recommended below. What he may not know and maybe only a handful is that listening to that audiobook (my time to literally sit down and read is near non-existent) started me on a great path to better educate myself consuming about 3 books per month. So for that, I thank Denis. The mantra he tells himself every morning is something we all can adopt as you don’t need to be a boy scout to follow that. Lastly, look out in the next year or 2 to see Denis run the NYC marathon. I’m excited for him.

Written by: Coach Rob Moloney

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Cross-training initially came to my attention in 2012 when I represented a client who sued Cross-Fit King of the Beach seeking an injunction to close the business as a public nuisance. During the hearing, the attorney for the gym repeatedly told me that I should join the gym. After taking the testimony of the owner, he came off the witness stand, brushed past me and whispered: “You should join.” It was also during the hearing that the gym was opened at the location where we are now located. A timely decision because the gym on West Beech Street was destroyed by Sandy on October 29, 2012. After Sandy, I would occasionally bump into the owner of the Cross-Fit now located in Island Park. We became friendly and every time I saw him, he would ask me to join. In the fall of 2015 I bumped into the owner of the gym and I told him I wanted to join. I realized as I aged that I was clearly losing muscle. Initially, I went to the first 6 preparation classes and felt great. After my 1st regular class I never felt worse. I literally was incapacitated for 10 days. After the next class, I couldn’t move for 7 days. It was at that point in February 2016, I asked for help and I was assigned a personal trainer. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Q&A
What’s your background? (Athletic) 
I always considered myself an athlete. I played baseball and soccer in high school. I played golf and tennis as an adult. I started running at 23, running until one day at 45 I felt that was enough and I stopped. I just resumed running again at 60. Prior to 2015, I never lifted a barbell or dumbbell. I didn’t even know what a kettlebell was.

What is your favorite thing about the gym? 
My favorite thing about the gym are my 5:30 a.m. classmates and my coach. I love them. They are serious people who don’t take themselves too seriously. They are committed, consistent and supportive.

What is the biggest challenge you have overcome since joining the gym? 
The biggest challenge I have overcome at the gym is knowing and accepting what my limits are. I push myself right up to the line and stop right there. I also know when I need to rest. My personal mantra is: “I want to come back tomorrow.”

What is your favorite moment at the gym so far? 
I think my favorite moment at the gym took place in 2024 during the Murph when we were cheering for our classmates as they were finishing their runs.

What's your favorite "cheat" food? 
My favorite cheat foods are dark chocolate and Hagen-Dazs chocolate ice cream.

What’s your go to meal to cook?
My go to meal to cook are eggs. My wife, Eileen, happens to be an exceptional cook, so I am spoiled.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about starting? 
I would tell someone who was thinking of starting cross-training to just show-up, don’t be intimidated by your fellow classmates. Your classmates will be supportive. Start slow. If you have never done this before, it is going to take time. Eat well, sleep well and rest when needed. There will be days that you don’t want go, just show up regardless.

What drives you? 
I am driven by trying to do the best I can every day, one day at a time. I say the Boy Scout Oath to myself daily: “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.”

What is your biggest fitness goal right now?
My biggest fitness goal is to run the New York City Marathon.

Who are 3 influential people (alive) who you would want to have dinner with?
Other than my wife Eileen and my children, Liam, Matthew, Grace and Eileen, the other influential people I would want to have dinner with are Gina Raimondo (former Governor of Rhode Island and US Commerce Secretary), Ian Bremmer (founder of the Eurasia Group and GZERO Media) and Eric Schmidt (former Chairman and CEO of Google).

What is a book, documentary or movie you think everyone needs to check out?
Books:
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (The story of two women growing up in post-World War II Naples)
Outlive by Peter Attia (The way to live for longevity)
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet (Historical fiction of a Cathedral in 12th century)
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson (One of the best biographies ever written)

Documentaries:
Social Dilemma (The Danger of the Social Network)
Man on Wire (One of the most iconic moments in NYC history)
Movies: Rear Window (Pure Hitchcock)
Oppenheimer (Pure History)
Million Dollar Baby (Pure Love)