Sommelier for Husk and staple among Charleston’s Food & Bev scene, Matt finds his third space and stays in check at Rhapsody CrossFit.
What is your story?
I was born in the gritty city of Philadelphia. After 27 years in the northeast, I yearned for a new climate and new challenges. A weekend visit put Charleston on a list of potential new cities and as luck would have it, I moved a year later.
Charleston’s F&B scene is one of the best in the country, and it was a great opportunity to continue refining my skills. McCrady’s had just been given a nod from the James Beard Foundation for Best Wine List, so I took a rather millennial approach and tweeted at the wine director. Fast forward to my current role Sommelier at Husk, where I’ve been for 3 months.
What brought you to Rhapsody CrossFit?
Graft Wine Shop just next door to Rhapsody CrossFit was opened by two good friends of mine. In an effort to give them so much needed time off I started helping around the shop. That’s how I came across the Rhapsody crew.
As many that have met them will attest, they are hard to forget. I had also been looking for a new workout routine and had been coming up short in my search since my former yoga studio shut their doors. I’d always been a bit apprehensive about CrossFit, but quickly came to understand and learn that the instruction is first rate.
What have you gotten out of your experience with Rhapsody CrossFit?
Lots of laughs for sure. And, oh yeah, lots of sore muscles and gasps for oxygen. But always followed by more good times. I’d say the biggest lesson I’ve learned is humility.
How does Rhapsody arm you to be better at what you do outside of the box – mentally and/or physically?
My day to day is pretty physical. Wine boxes and bottles need to be moved and stacked, and then usually moved some more. A day at the restaurant is a day of being on my feet and running stairs.
I love the restaurant industry because of its team atmosphere and social nature, but if you’re not careful it is all too easy to be too social. Rhapsody CrossFit keeps me in check. I have to wake up and work out – if I don’t get enough sleep and don’t take care of my body that workout is going to suck.
After a hard workout with Rhapsody there isn’t much the world can throw at me that I’m not ready for.
Interested in learning more about this incredible Rhapsody CrossFit in Charleston crew? Drop in for our next Sweaty Saturday where all fitness levels are welcome regardless of previous CrossFit experience. For Charleston residents, your first class is free!
“After a hard workout with Rhapsody there isn’t much the world can throw at me that I’m not ready for.”
