Danny aka Officer Danny has been a member of the beachside family for 5 years. His commitment to his health and fitness has been awesome to watch. Danny can usually be found working out with the 9 a.m. crew. Make sure to congratulate him when you see him in the gym!
Tell us about yourself:
I’m Danny (Daniel by birth) Strautman, 38 years old. Born in Ventura, raised in Santa Paula. My father was a land surveyor and my mother worked for the city of Port Hueneme in the housing and urban development department. Both were actually very talented cooks and artists. I grew up participating in sports such as soccer, track, swimming and in college did crew (rowing). I was an Eagle Scout and did junior lifeguards, which led to a 11 year career as a California State Lifeguard. Along the way, I learned waterman skills such as free-diving, outrigger paddling and surfing, which I need to do more of, thanks Coach Mee! I graduated from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor’s in biology with a marine emphasis. I continued to lifeguarded while volunteering as a reserve police officer for the Santa Paula Police Department. I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to travel all around the world. So far, I’ve been to China/Tibet, Nepal, India, Indonesia (Bali), Japan, Australia, Thailand, Italy, Fuji and French Polynesia.
What do you do for a job?
I am a police officer with the Ventura Police Department. I’ve been with the department for approximately 9 years and I’m current assigned to patrol. Yes, I’ve been pepper sprayed, tazed and even bitten by the K9’s. Most ask which is worse. They are all worse.
Tell us something people might not know about you:
I really like to cook and challenge myself with new dishes. Coach Jess knows this, but I like to work on and ride motorcycles. I’ve been trying to dust of the cobwebs, but I used to be musically inclined. I played the trumpet, piano and guitar. My dad was a bit of a craftsman and made and played his own guitars. My mother played piano. Oh, and I’m a motorsports fan.
What brought you to CrossFit in the first place?
As an adult without collegiate sports, I needed something to keep me motivated to stay in shape. Working out on my own, I knew I wouldn’t push myself. Working out as a group is more motivational.
What was your first impression? How has that changed?
I resisted Cross-fit for awhile. I thought it was unattainable movements with a paleo everything. Plus, I had a former co-worker who would not shut up about it. Now I understand it’s a progression and not everyone is trying to compete in the games.
What was your first “bright spot”?
My first bright spot would be how I felt after I stop stutter stepping and had consistent gym attendance. After that, I felt more alert when awake, I had more energy/motivation, slept better, and got better at the movements.
What are you working on now?
I would like to do a bar muscle up again. I did one rep about two years ago and haven’t repeated it since.
What’s your favorite Beachside Crossfit memory?
My favorite gym memory would be the day I did the bar muscle up. It was after an afternoon WOD, in mostly empty gym. Mee, June and Sam all encouraged me to keep trying. When I got it, everyone cheered. It felt pretty good.
