Tell us a little bit about yourself. What do you do outside the gym?
I’m currently a stay-at-home pet parent. I’m in the process of figuring out my next career move, but most recently I worked in the Diversity Equity and Inclusion space for McKinsey and Co. I love to bake and dance and last year I joined Old Town School of Folk Music’s Community Choir which has been such a joy to be part of! And I am currently hand sewing a t-shirt quilt from all the t-shirts I have collected since college, plus 1 from middle school….it’s gunna be big!
What initially got you into training, and what keeps you coming back?
I had (have had?) a very sedentary job that also required long hours in front of a computer for multiple years and then I would take a few weeks to do a lot of physical activity that my body just wasn’t accustomed to. This consistently landed me in physical therapy with hip, knee, and ankle pain and as much as I love seeing my physical therapist (she’s the best!), it didn’t seem like a sustainable plan. She told me I needed to focus on strength training more than cardio or other fitness notions I had in my head at that time and annoyingly, she was right. My chronic pain has gone away. I keep coming back cuz it feels good to be able to lift my suitcase over my head to put it into the overhead bin without help. :)
However, coincidentally, I was also trying to expand my community when I first started at Hardware – I wanted to find a way to meet new people in my life. Hardware felt so welcoming and supportive, even though I am not the most competitive or intensely fitness oriented. So, the people are the true reason I keep coming back, because there are so many different places around the city (or even in Andersonville) for fitness, but I choose to stay here.
What are your fitness goals? How close are you to reaching them?
Honestly, I don’t really have fitness goals other than to keep doing fitness and ensure it remains part of my continual habits. I want to remain as active as I can for as long as I can while it is in my control and I know that that requires me to maintain muscle mass. So making fitness feel as critical to my daily routine as brushing my teeth is my overall goal.
What’s an accomplishment or goal you’ve reached at Hardware that makes you the most proud?
I actually did a box jump onto the big box! And then I did it again! it was the shortest side (20″ I think), but I’m petrified of box jumps – mostly of smashing my shins into the box or of flipping over onto my head – and so it took a lot of deep breathing and positive self talk to even try.
Favorite WOD/movement?
Overall, I really love HIIT, so i enjoy when we do EMOM’s or Tabata style workouts. But I also love a good back squat – makes me feel so powerful!
Least favorite WOD/movement?
Anything from the rig. I dont like it when my feet aren’t on the ground. Don’t like it one bit.
Any advice for someone interested in trying out Hardware?
Take it from someone who never thought they would be into strength training or crossfit in any way – not all gyms are created equal. And if you want to join a gym where inclusivity is the core value, Hardware is the place for you.