My name is Aaron Miner. I have been pretty active my entire life. I grew up playing competitive soccer and running track or Cross country. I decided to join the Idaho National Guard in Sept of 1998 after one semester of college at Boise State. In the one semester, I participated in what was called the Ranger Challenge program. I didn't know what a Ranger was at that time. I just knew it was harder and the group was more dedicated than the others of the ROTC program. I joined the Guard and was sent to Basic Training a few months later. Once at Basic Training I realized that my life had to have fitness in it or I would not be happy. I was naturally a faster than average runner, and with my Ranger Challenge training, could do well at push ups and sit-ups. I did well in Basic and went on to graduate among the top of the class. I then went to Advanced Individual Training in Ft Huachuca AZ, and continued to enjoy the training I was receiving and did very well physically. I went on to run a few races while I was there
and pushed others to strive a little harder than they would have on their own.
When I completed the training I was sent back to Idaho. Once at home I began to sell cars, and take care of a new family. I did not have a good relationship to say the least and found that fitness was the best and less expensive thing for me to do. It started one day when things did not go as planned at work or home. I ended up taking off and running about 17 miles. I was hammered for about 5 days after that!! I went on to train for Robie Creek that year and ran a time of 1:30 I believe. Things continued to get worse at home, so I decided to join the full time Army. I was sent to Advanced Infantry School at Ft. Benning GA, and again did very well. I was sent to Ft. Lewis WA. as my first duty station and spent 5 years there as an Infantry Battalion Scout with Second Infantry Division Stryker Brigade. I completed one year in Iraq from 2003 to 2004 and was forced to leave the military due to a family hardship. Right before I was released
I did this crazy work out that left me sick in the corner, wondering what the hell happened to me.
I was in pretty good shape I thought. I had been running and could do about 90 push ups in 2 minutes and about the same sit-ups. I am pretty sure that this new Officer had just introduced me to Crossfit. I out processed from the Army and two months later got hired by the Ada County Sheriff's Office as a Patrol Officer. I completed the Police Academy and was able to set a small record running the Swan Falls Damn Run. Not a bad run, 2.5 down and 2.5 back up to the top. I think the time was 37:48. I was told it still stands.. I am pretty proud of it! Once with the Sheriff's office I began to see people I worked with who were not all that impressive to look at. I remember the first thing we did each morning at the Academy was PT! The first thing each morning in the Army was PT. I knew what made me feel good about myself, being active. I began to go to the gym, but did not know how to do my own programming, or training. I knew how to run, do push ups, and sit-ups. That was it! I began doing the different machines at the gym, taking supplements and watching the trainers. I then paid about $1100 to be personally trained. I had one of the 3 trainers actually see what I wanted, and he tried. I ended up going to BSU sports medicine for a shoulder injury.
I was told to look up this new program called Crossfit, that was giving people like me a challenge.
It took about 3 months for me to get started, but by March 2006 I had begun Crossfit. I had no idea what I was doing. What the F was a clean and jerk!!?? I began by doing all the body weight exercises I could do and the easier workouts that I could figure out. I did the WODs at Idaho Athletic Club. I did this for about 3 years. I had persuaded a few of the people in the gym, along with my mother to try it with me. It was amazing! I began to get fed up with all the people on my circuits, or equipment that I had set up. I signed up for my first level one certification in Portland OR at Crossfit HEL in 2008. I did my first FRAN with the proper equipment in 3:36. It was 3 second slower than the fastest guy!! I then continued to do Crossfit where I could and when. I had been a part of Boise Crossfit, and Crossfit Refinery. Both great gyms and great trainers.
I just always wanted to run my own gym and train my own clients.
In 2011 I began to train clients in my garage in Boise. Calli was my first client. We had a few more come in and out. I ended up moving to south Boise and began to train a different group there. I was able to build up to about 20 consistent paying clients. I went to a recertification for my level one in February 2011 at Crossfit Refinery. Once I was certified to the new standards, I began to look for a business. I ended up meeting John Hassell at the cert in February. We both had military back grounds and similar interests and decided to partner up with our Business. We Opened the first gym, Expedition Crossfit and in January 2013 opened the second Expedition Crossfit BFE.
Aaron is a bad ass
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