Florida Grid League History · October 26, 2016

A real life super hero walks among us.

Yes he can sprint so fast it seems everyone else is in slow motion.

Yes he TnG power cleaned 300lbs for 5 to nearly catch his team up from a large deficit in the A division championship race.

Yes he is an imposing presence at 6’2″, 235lbs, yet has a soft spoken, humble attitude.

But these things are not what makes him a hero.

Clint Clemens has a protect-at-all-costs mentality. He uses his physical gifts and his life, to defend his country and his community. To give a snapshot of how Clint thinks: while once having a conversation with an FGL Director about his entering a Law Enforcement Program he stated “Man the more blue line beasts that get killed, the more I wanna get out there”.

That is what makes Clint a hero. Few in this world exist that can do what he can physically and fewer have the courage and hero mentality he does. If more did exist, the world would be a much safer place.

THIS is the type of athlete you should follow and be inspired by. THIS is the type of role model you should encourage your kids to look up to. Too often we look past true heroes, to follow athletic “heroes”.

Learn more about Clint as we interviewed him about his background including his time in the Army, athletic career, as well as his GRID 6 experience.

FGL: During GRID 6 Fort Myers, we kept getting the question in reference to you “Where did that guy come from?”. So could you tell us where you came from? Your career and athletic history.

Clint: Well my name is Clint Clemens, I was born in Savannah, GA. I grew up most of my life in Vidalia, GA playing Baseball and Football. I attended high school in South Carolina. I went to Camden Military Academy where I was captain of the Baseball and football team both my junior and senior year. Out of high school I was offered a baseball scholarship but opted to join the US Army, this was right after the 9/11 attacks. While I was in the Army I played a lot of Semi-pro football in pretty much every state I was stationed in. I also played Arena football. I became a combatives instructor in 2009 and started getting pretty big into MMA. I had a short career in MMA because of my deployments and training but ended up with 8 fights and in my last fight I was named the #1 contender for amateur in Washington State. My last duty station here in Florida was 7th Special Forces Group. I played a lot of Semi-pro football while I was here in FL but I spent a lot of time either training, in South America, at a specialty school, or in Afghanistan. My last deployment in Afghanistan I got injured pretty bad, also finding out that I had developed an autoimmune disease in my body called Rheumatoid Arthritis. I was pretty depressed because I didn’t think I was going to get better until one of my friends made me go to the gym and try out this CrossFit thing. Ever since that day I have never turned back. The functional aspect of CrossFit – the mobility, stretching, actually taking care of your body has helped me more than anything ever will. I unfortunately had to retire from the Army earlier than I wanted to but I had a great career with no regrets. Now I am in the Police Academy and I am looking forward to getting back out there once again and making a difference.

FGL: How was your first GRID 6 experience?

Clint: My first GRID experience was freaking awesome. I had so much fun with all those amazing athletes. I found out what my strengths and weaknesses are out on the GRID. It was ran very well and judged very well also. I was impressed; also super impressed with the caliber of the competition, made me push myself to my limits which I love doing.

FGL: Describe your teammates and what it was like being on team ‘Murica.

Clint: All my teammates were monsters, I couldn’t have picked a better team to be on myself. I never met anyone that was on my team and I felt like I knew them and had been working out with them before even though we had no clue who each other were, we just meshed very well together. Our captain Des is amazing as well, she is so strong and such a good leader. I feel like I’m a pretty good teammate cause if you want me to do it I’m gonna at least try it with no questions asked. I would def look forward to being on their team again, if they would have me that is haha. Even though we were short one teammate I think we held our own on the GRID.

FGL: Why do you like the sport of GRID?

Clint: I like it because it’s a team competition. I come from a team atmosphere and it’s what I enjoy. I know that everyone thinks that indy is like the “it” in CrossFit, and that may be, but this is what I enjoy most. I like that it’s fast and furious and that everyone can show off their talents and what they bring to the team. It’s like having your door kicker, demo guy, and intel guy; in this case women as well.

FGL: What are your goals or aspirations in the sport of GRID?

Clint: I would love to be a professional GRID athlete. My goal is not to just be the strong man on the team even though it is nice; I feel like I am athletic enough to be a generalist so I can be more of an asset to whatever team I get to play for.

FGL: Are there any projects or goals you are working on that people should know about?

Clint: I am in the police academy right now and that is my main focus. I would love to be able to just train everyday and focus on that but unfortunately there are bad guys out there in this world and I happen to be one of the good guys that not only enjoys catching them, but I am pretty good at it also. I will continue to train as hard as I possibly can not only for GRID/CrossFit but also for my job. I would have to say my goal is to become a member of a SWAT team in a few years with my side project being fitness; making it on a GRID team and competing in CrossFit Regionals would be an amazing feat for me.

FGL: Where can people learn more about you or support your objectives?

Clint: Well anyone can follow me on my social media. I have been slacking a bit lately but I will get back on it ASAP. My IG handle is clemdizzle42 and you can hit me up on FB Clint Clemens. Also hopefully I will be on TV soon doing this awesome Grid league thing haha we shall see.

FGL: Will we see you at GRID 6 Miami?

Clint: I am pretty busy right now with the academy and trying to take care of my family. But if I can be there, then yes you will absolutely see me.

Learn more about putting your own team together for GRID 6 Miami. Click here for more information or watch the promo video below: