Athlete of the MonthAugust

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF THE GYM?

I’m the finance director for a start-up based in Seattle. I’ve been in tech for a long time, but took a 3 year break to attend pastry school and worked as a pastry cook in restaurants in San Francisco (State Bird Provisions) and Chicago (Elske). It turns out working in the restaurant industry is incredibly difficult, both mentally and phsyically, and I went back to tech to find a more sustainable lifestyle and spend more time with family and friends.

WHAT INITIALLY GOT YOU INTO TRAINING AND WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK?

Living in the Pacific Northwest for almost 10 years meant that I had to learn to be outdoorsy (this did not come naturally as a suburban kid from the Chicago area). I got into mountain climbing with a friend, and we climbed Kilimanjaro to celebrate our 30th birthdays. One of our guides mentioned CrossFit as a good training mechanism, so I joined a gym as soon as I returned. It’s been a major part of my life ever since.

 

WHAT ARE YOUR FITNESS GOALS? HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO REACHING THEM?

My goal is to keep moving and getting stronger while maintaing a sense of balance in my life. I’ve struggled with body positivity for a long time, and I find strength training to be incredibly empowering. In terms of specific movements, I’d love to be able to get a muscle up one day.

WHAT’S AN ACCOMPLISHMENT OR GOAL YOU’VE REACHED AT HARDWARE THAT MADE YOU THE MOST PROUD?

Toes to bar! I thought it would never be possible. Darcy suggested integrating GHDs into my workouts, and after a few months of working on those (which were really hard!), magically my toes reached the bar. I think one of the things I most appreciate about strength and conditiioning is the realization that if you put in the work, your body can do almost anything. And if you have specific limitations, you can always work around them to do something that feels right for you!

FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?­­

Pull-ups! As a former runner, I never had much upper body strength. It took me 35 years to get one pull-up, and honestly it was one of the most rewarding days of my life. I spent months doing active hangs from the bar and a lot of scapular work, and one day I surprised myself when my chin was above the bar.

LEAST FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?
I’m not sure I have one. I just like moving my body through space and time, and I find if you do a movement enough it gets easier.

ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN TRYING OUT HARDWARE?

JUST DO IT! Hardware is the most community-minded gym I’ve ever been a part of, and I feel privliged to be a member. I’ve met so many wonderful people on many different walks of life, and I think that’s what makes this gym so special. Thank you Hardware for being a bright spot of every day!