Reebok CrossFit Games crowns Miami-Dade County Parks Employee Shawn Ramirez ''Fittest on Earth''
(MIAMI, July 29, 2014) — One of the “Fittest On Earth” works for the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department and his name is Shawn “The Ram” Ramirez. It's a title Ramirez won last week during the 2014 Reebok CrossFit Games in Carson, California, finishing first in the Masters Men 40-44 age division.
When he’s not competing, the fitness master and father of three boys (ages 5, 8, 11), lends his expertise in helping Miami-Dade residents get healthier as Fitness and Wellness Coordinator for Miami-Dade Parks’ Fit2Play After-School and Out-of-School camps and programs for older adults. He Chairs the Miami-Dade County Health Department’s Worksite Wellness Committee, has been featured in multiple county wide campaigns promoting Wellness and Healthy Living and is a contributing writer for the county’s 305FIT Magazine (www.305FIT.org) and has plans to introduce his own fitness blog next week titled “Shawn The Ram”.
In January, Ramirez kicked off his own annual CrossFit competition called the “Sunshine Classic”, at Tropical Park. The event was deemed a huge success, with more than 200 competitors that came out for the challenge. He co-founded Family Adventure Challenge, in 2012, in conjunction with the Tim Hardaway Foundation, an event which allows families to compete together in a 2K race that incorporates a fun-filled obstacle course. He was also instrumental in the development of the park’s annual Hero Challenge, an event where current and former Police-Fire-Military vie for the title of “fittest public servant”.
Ramirez is also co-owner of CrossFit BRx, Inc., in Kendall, and has more than 20 years of training experience. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science/Exercise Physiology as well as various certifications ranging from Level 1 Certified CrossFit Coach to Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
“We are very proud of Shawn’s elite recognition at the 2014 Reebok CrossFit Games and his outstanding work with the Parks Department, that is helping residents in this community to be healthier,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “He is a great example of a Miami-Dade County employee who aspires to excellence both on and off the job.”
“Our congratulations go out to Shawn. As a champion sports competitor and fitness role model he is awe-inspiring and continues to make great strides in our efforts to help kids and older adults to be active,” said Miami-Dade County Parks Director Jack Kardys.
Now in its 8th year, the annual fitness competition, created and operated by CrossFit, Inc., engages elite athletes from across the globe to compete for the title of Fittest on Earth™ and a piece of a US $1.7 million purse. The competition is broadcast worldwide on the ESPN network.
The CrossFit Games are the world’s premier test to find the Fittest on Earth™. They are world-renowned as a grueling test for the world’s toughest athletes and a thrilling experience for spectators. Since its inception in 2007, the CrossFit Games have become “one of the fastest growing sports in America,” according to Forbes.
The Games are designed to test the overall physical fitness of a contestant based on: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy. Events involve everything from classics such as running and squats, to more exotic movements such as climbing and odd-object lifting.
About CrossFit:
CrossFit Inc. is the developer and provider of the CrossFit® Fitness Program and a recognized worldwide leader in functional fitness. Founded by Greg Glassman and built on the foundations of constantly varied, high-intensity functional movements, education and collaborative competition, CrossFit-brand workouts develop strength and fitness while cultivating community and camaraderie in each of the more than 10,000 affiliated gyms in its global network. CrossFit Inc. is a leading accredited certificate issuer for physical-training professionals worldwide and offers specialty certificate programs in addition to its core curriculum. CrossFit Inc. publishes the CrossFit Journal, promotes physical and cognitive health and fitness through the CrossFit Kids Foundation, and created and operates the CrossFit Games, an annual competition where elite athletes compete to be named the Fittest on Earth®. To learn more, visit http://www.CrossFit.com, Games.CrossFit.com, Facebook.com/CrossFit or http://www.youtube.com/CrossFitHQ.
About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award, winner of the 2013 Florida Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award and the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.
Miami-Dade County Parks is supported by The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County’s world-class parks system for residents and visitors. Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities. For more information on the Parks Foundation, please visit www.liveaparklife.org.
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