Thiago Maas fell in love with CrossFit and opened CrossFit Pomerode in Brazil. For years, he balanced a busy life working on the police force, training to be a competitive athlete, and running his affiliate, carrying the demands of three jobs.
One day during training, something felt wrong.
Maas went about his day before eventually realizing he needed medical attention. At the hospital, he learned he was having a heart attack caused by a genetic condition. The cardiologist told him that the fitness he had built through CrossFit had prepared his body to withstand the heart attack and he would make a full recovery.
The experience changed Maas’ perspective on training and on life. He used to train to compete. Today, as a full-time coach, his goal is to help others become stronger and more capable for life, and to survive, he says.
And by his own measure, he’s never been happier.