If you’ve trained at WE.FIT Meilen, you’ve probably seen Graham — calm, focused, and always moving with intent. He doesn’t make a lot of noise, but he shows up like clockwork, balancing a full life as a partner at IBM, a father of two, and a lifelong competitive swimmer.
After trying out more gyms than he can count (and not quite finding the right fit), he spotted the WE.FIT signs in Meilen one Sunday, walked in, and met Jono. That day, CrossFit felt right again — and we’ve been lucky to have him ever since.
Graham, your consistency, humility, and the way you give your all — in and out of the water — inspire everyone around you. You carry yourself with quiet strength, and you’ve brought your sense of community right into this box. We’re proud to call you part of the WE.FIT family.
Let’s get to know Graham a little better…
1. How did you find your way into our box?
Graham: I started CrossFit in 2020 when I moved from Germany to Switzerland with CrossFit Limmatstadt as it was close to my work. I really loved it. But my place of work moved and I tried CrossFit Zurich and Gold Coast Fitness. Both did not meet my requirements. So I joined Migros Fitness Park but was not really happy there. One Sunday I saw the WE.FIT signs in Meilen and saw it was open and met Jono. The 24-hour fitness option plus the coaches then brought me back to CrossFit.
2. If you could name a WOD after yourself – what would it be called and what would it include?
Graham: I am and was a competitive swimmer so my family call me ‘Fischie’ (my wife and kids are German). I also love everything to do with water and am always in the water. Workout would include my favorite exercises being heavy cleans (trains getting off swimming starting blocks with power), ski-erg with the swim stroke motion and box jumps (simulates pushing off the walls in a swim race).
3. You can swap a day with a coach or member – who do you choose and why?
Graham: Jono or Patrick. They both have so much energy I would like to see the source of their energy first hand.
4. What song would play when you enter each room – like your personal soundtrack?
Graham: Satellite from Rise Against. When I do something I go all in. The opening lyrics are:
You can’t feel the heat until you hold your hand over the flame
You have to cross the line just to remember where it lays
You won’t know your worth now, son, until you take a hit
And you won’t find the beat until you lose yourself in it
5. What are your daily routines outside of training?
Graham: Family with 2 daughters (17 and 12) and I am a Partner at IBM Switzerland keeping me busy. I am also an active competitive swimmer.
6. What do you do for a living – and how does training help you keep a cool head at work?
Graham: I run and sell a very large portfolio of consulting projects. Training is my daily therapy.
7. What quality do you particularly value in other people – including those in this box?
Graham: Community and respect. I have lived in various countries and have met wonderful people through CrossFit and Swimming. When you move to a new country it is hard as an outsider. A CrossFit Box or Swimming Club allows me to become accepted as part of a community and I find people within the sporting community are the most respectful.
8. How would you motivate your 20-year-old self to start CrossFit?
Graham: I grew up in a swimming environment spending a lot of time in the swimming community which provided me a second home. When I stopped competitive swimming I lost this community and my second home of like-minded people which was very hard to deal with. CrossFit provides me again with such a community and a second home where I feel comfortable being myself.
9. What makes you really proud in life – outside of sports?
Graham: The relationship I have with my two daughters (17 and 12). If something goes wrong or they get into trouble they both have the thought of ‘better call Dad for help’ rather than ‘how can I make sure Dad does not find out’. 🙂
10. Imagine being transformed into an object for a day – what would you most like to be (and why)?
Graham: If I am transformed into a non-living object I would be a rock in the ocean. I love the sea so much (one day I will live by the sea) and then being part of the ocean eco-system, maybe with coral growing on the rock, giving life and stability to millions of organisms.
For a non-person object, would be a Cuvier’s beaked whale. These whales dive the deepest of all mammals (up to 3000m) and I would love to explore what the ocean holds as its treasures at these depths. 🙂
Graham, we’re so glad you spotted that WE.FIT sign in Meilen. You bring the same all‑in attitude to training that you’ve carried through a lifetime of swimming, work, and family. Your consistency, respect, and quiet drive lift everyone around you — thank you for making WE.FIT your second home.
