Meet the Owner: Mike McCarthy of Crossfit Revenge

Crossfit Revenge opened its doors to Levittown in May 2011 and has grown to be one of the company's largest locations in New York.

Owner Mike McCarthy, a 2004 graduate of Division Avenue High School, and his partner Adam White collaborated after working together for years at a local gym. White, a Crossfit enthusiast, encouraged McCarthy to give it a shot. As someone who'd been working out his own way since age 15, McCarthy was hesitant.

"He claimed that there was nothing like it," McCarthy said. "At the time I was 24 and already had been training as a bodybuilder for almost 10 years. I won a few competitions and even made it in a few magazines so I guess I could say I thought I knew it all. I was wrong, big time."

McCarthy's first experience at Crossfit was not ideal, but after about a month, he decided it was worth another try.

"I gave in, and after three more work outs, I basically threw 10 years of training out the window," he explained. "I was completely dedicated to Crossfit, which was the best decision of my life."

Just three months later, McCarthy and White opened up the Levittown center. Today, Levittown's Crossfit caters to more than 300 active members. McCarthy is now in the process of opening up a second location more than twice the size in the same strip mall.

"We are keeping both gyms," McCarthy said. "The smaller, 1200 square-foot location will be for the competitors and all of our specialty classes. The new, 2600 square-foot location will be for the general population, beginners and intermediate members."

As Crossfit's owner and an active participant in the regimen, McCarthy believes that Crossfit offers a certain guidance and diligence that wouldn't be at reach in a regular fitness facility.

"When you join our gym, you don't just join a gym," McCarthy said. "You become part of a tight knit family who strives on a regular basis to be the absolute best that they can be. We inspire, motivate and cheer each other on which pushes us through the points where we may have given up if working out alone."

For more information on Crossfit Revenge and membership options, visit their website or stop by the center located at 2890 Hempstead Tpke.