Though Soloman Madron had just collapsed to the ground, he was happy—and, of course, exhausted. He had just finished his first ever CrossFit workout. Soloman was no stranger to exercise, having spent time in the Marine Corps, worked in corporate fitness. CrossFit, however, trumped everything else he had tried.

Since that first workout in 2009, Soloman has opened his own studio, West Metro CrossFit, which he runs alongside co-owner and lifelong fitness buff Nate Sappington. Together with a team of fitness trainers, they lead CrossFit classes with ever-changing workouts that combine elements of gymnastics, weightlifting, and cardiovascular training. Aside from CrossFit, the fitness instructors teach posture and mobility clinics, train exercisers in lifting, and work one-on-one during personal training sessions. Whatever the program, they make a point of getting to know their clients, and each month they select a new athlete of the month.