CrossFit Media video producer Torin Simpson spent five days on James Hobart's couch in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, to get a feel for what drives the second-place finisher at the North East Regional.
"I learned that there's a lot more to James Hobart than the competitor you will see at the CrossFit Games," Simpson says. "In fact, competition is perhaps the least important aspect of his life."
Family is among the most important.
"I'm very close to my mom," Hobart says. "I think we have a really awesome, strong relationship, and she's really supportive and proud of me ... and I'm absolutely proud of her, especially in regards to CrossFit and all the steps she's taken to take care of herself."
Hobart also holds the admired title of flowmaster for CrossFit's Seminar Staff, which is also a priority in his life.
"The biggest vantage point being a flowmaster I think gives me is being able to see and learn even more from everybody else," Hobart says.
An only child, Hobart has a friendship with four-time Games competitor Austin Malleolo that resembles a brotherhood.
"They are best friends ... they are one in the same," says Ben Bergeron, owner of CrossFit New England, where Hobart trains.
Sporting his original Level 1 Seminar T-shirt on the final day of regional competition, Hobart earned the right to go back to the CrossFit Games, but his humble perspective hasn't changed despite numerous Games appearances as an individual and on a team.
"For me, I love competing in CrossFit ... . It's a way to give back to the community that supports me so much."
Video by Torin Simpson.
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