Age: 33
Occupation: 7th grade teacher
Which class time do you usually attend? 4/4:30 pm but I would totally go to a 5 am class (hint, hint :) ). Any one else out there that would get up that early???
How long have you been CrossFitting? Almost 2 years
How did you find CrossFit i1uvit? I'd been thinking about trying CrossFit but was feeling too shy. Then, Elizabeth Aims posted on facebook that she was attending boot camp and wondered if anyone else was interested. The rest is history!
What is your athletic/fitness background (If applicable)? I dabbled in just about every sport in high school but stuck with cross country and track (jumping events) the longest. Then, in college I rowed on Western's crew team for a year. The next year, I found my calling playing rugby. I played several seasons both here and in Ireland while in college on the Emerald Isle. So much fun!
Favorite WOD: I prefer chippers or a WOD that doesn't include barbells.
Favorite lift or movement: Does foam rolling count? My favorite is probably rowing.
Least favorite WOD: There was a hero W.O.D of some sort (on a holiday in the last year). It included pull ups (where I ripped BAD) thrusters, and running. Running was by far the best part of it but gave me too much time to think and I had to chant to myself, "Don't you (BLEEPing) cry!" over and over.
Least favorite movement: Thrusters, eew!
Favorite life quote: I have two! "Dance like nobody's watching, love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening and live like it's heaven on earth."- Mark Twain "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." -Maya Angelou
Favorite “guilty pleasure” food: Oh man... probably fresh baked bread right out of the oven with REAL butter.
How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, and level of fitness? CrossFit is really my first experience with weight training of any kind so, even though it's slow going and I still have a lot to learn, I am getting stronger!
Who or what motivates/inspires you to keep coming back? Friendly, motivating members and coaches. And, the drive to get better!
What is your proudest CrossFit achievement? So far, a (yep, one!) legitimate pull up.
Name one goal/personal achievement you would like to achieve through CrossFit: Short term: the winter chub has GOT to go. A bit farther down the road I'd really like to be able to #1 do pull ups without bands in WOD's followed by #2 chest to bars and finally #3 someday bar muscle ups. I will cry again but this time tears of joy.
Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit: Traveling to other countries to experience cultures different than my own, reading, and outside adventures by foot, horse or quad.
Any advice for new members? Don't give up! There will probably be moments when you feel defeated but keep coming back. Don't let a disappointing or especially hard WOD get you down. It's all worth it on days when you realize you ARE making progress.
Any additional thoughts/shout-outs/comments? I really appreciate the positive, supportive atmosphere that Matt and Kaylee have built at i1uvit and every coach and member that share those qualities too! In addition, I better give a shout out to Janis Vander-Ploeg Wolfe for talking me into doing the open. I never would have signed up otherwise. That 16.5 was a doozy!