1.What was life like before you became a member?
Life before I became a member is basically still how it was, just without a KILLER workout regimen I look forward to now. I’m a full-time working mom with 2 rambunctious boys. I’m either 15 minutes early or 5 minutes late for the WOD, there is no happy medium. (Sorry coach!) So, when people say “we all have the same 24 hours” no, no we do not. But with that, my 24 hours may look different than yours, I owe it to myself and my family to give at least 1 hour to myself and I’m sure you do too. How can I show up for my family, if I can’t show up for myself? If I have a busy workday and can only get to a later PM class, but I have both my kids because my husband’s working too- I still will make sure I get that hour and I bring them in tow. Make yourself a priority-you deserve it and your family does too.
2. At the time you enrolled, were you already exercising? What was your previous background in fitness?
I’ve always been a fan of fitness. I played Soccer my whole life and picked up Lacrosse in Middle School where I continued through College at a D-2 Level. When it came to exercising on my own though, it would always involve running- I know, I know cardio bunny….Guilty! Working out and my career go hand in hand so it’s always been important to me to make sure I’m constantly training and working out so I can hold my own if need be.
3. What originally prompted you to seek us out?
I found Keystone CrossFit with a simple google search honestly. I wasn’t happy with my regular scheduled program of going to the gym, doing the same workouts, working out the same body parts, all while fighting over machines with other people. I would go to the gym for an hour and a half and felt like I spent more time walking around or waiting for the machine I needed, then actually working out. (Don’t be that jerk that hogs 3 machines to get your sets in!) I knew it was time to try something different, but something that was also effective and that would keep me motivated to stick with it.
4. What was your goal when you originally signed up?
My goal was to just give it a shot. I had always heard people’s mixed opinions about CrossFit, and I wanted to form my own opinion by just trying. I knew I was already unhappy with my regular workouts I was doing at the gym, and I thought “what do I have to lose?” Well, not only have I been a member for 9 months so far, but I even upped my membership to unlimited classes-so yeah, I guess you can say I’m here for the long haul!
5. What have you liked best about working with us?
I like a lot of things, but my favorite days are SATURSLAYS! Honor System- I have been slacking the past couple of weekends since my kiddo’s soccer season started. Yes, I’m that mom whose screaming/cheering like a psychopath on the sidelines – but now that it’s ending here shortly, I can’t wait to be back. And for those that don’t know what Saturslay is- it’s Saturday group/partner WODS and yes, they are in fact the best. BUTTTTT, I also must give a shout out to my 9am Hot Mom’s Club, they’re awesome and hold it down every dang day!
6. What are you most proud of achieving since you started?
I’m proud of sticking with it. CrossFit is very “humbling” I’ve learned and I learned that early on. You may be super strong with certain lifts/runs on Monday’s WOD but may not be the fastest/strongest when it comes to Thursday’s WOD. Every workout is different-you might Rx, you may have to scale, or you could dump a bar and fail- but having your name up on the whiteboard, is better than not having it up there at all.
7. With everything that you have accomplished, has your view of yourself changed?
My view of myself has significantly changed. I have pushed myself in more ways than I ever would have if I was doing stereotypical lifts at the gym solo. The other members, the kickass playlists bumping and the rush you get during the workouts is what brings me back. I used to dread my old workouts but now I look forward to them and even get bummed when I miss a workout. FOMO!
8. What would you say to anyone else who might be dealing with any similar struggles you did?
Just do it. How many times are you going to keep doing your same old boring gym routine, saying to yourself “I’m not seeing results” or “I need to try something different” or “this just isn’t working” until you finally pull the trigger and just do it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
9. Do you have any special moments/memories?
A special moment is a WOD that I surprised myself and exceeded what I “thought” my ability was. As I said, you don’t know until you try- I’ve scaled a workout and said “crap I should have gone heavier!” or I’ve tried to Rx and said “fudge, I should have scaled and went lighter!” but then there are those workouts when I’ve pushed myself and said “this probably isn’t the best decision, but I’m going to try anyway!” and I was able push through, kick butt and remind myself that I CAN DO HARD THINGS!
10. What is your favorite movement/lift?
I’m not going to lie, I do love when there are 400m runs scattered throughout the WOD (old habits die hard!) but I also do love me a good dead lift, push press or hang clean day.
