TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF THE GYM?
I was born and raised in California and moved to Chicago in 2011. I am currently a PhD candidate in Criminology, Law and Justice with a research focus on juvenile justice policy and the ways in which race and gender intersect with the criminal justice system. Additionally, I am a full-time faculty member at Loyola in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology and the Media Editor of the journal Contemporary Justice Review. I am married to Darcy, who I met just 2 weeks after moving to Chicago. We live in Rogers Park with our two pups, Dexter and Pig and are expecting our first little one in just a couple months. If I could have any job I wanted, I would be an interior designer…I love decorating spaces. I have always had an infatuation with Orca Whales and a love for pickles and when I was in high school I raised two pigs.
WHAT INITIALLY GOT YOU INTO CROSSFIT AND WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK?
I have always played team sports (soccer, swim team and rugby). During grad school I fell in love with group fitness and knew I never wanted to ride solo in the gym again. Darcy and I met playing rugby and after we both stopped playing we were looking for something new. We were members at two other CrossFit gyms (neither are still open) before finding our home at Hardware. Aside from the amazing community, what keeps me coming back is the constant variation and consistent challenge. No matter where I am at in terms of ability, CrossFit always offer individual challenges.
WHAT ARE YOUR CROSSFIT GOALS? HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO REACHING THEM?
Being 7 ½ months pregnant, my CrossFit goals are somewhat unique. My goals are to continue to attend 3-4 classes a week and to stay active until I deliver our little one. My main focus in both of these goals is to simply keep moving…I have had to vary and alter a handful of movements, but as long as I continue to move, I am reaching my goals. Coach Matt and Coach Ozzie have been extremely helpful in providing movements that allow me to reach my goals.
WHAT’S AN ACCOMPLISHMENT OR GOAL YOU’VE REACHED DUE TO CROSSFIT THAT’S MADE YOU THE MOST PROUD?
While I have reached a lot of physical goals while doing CrossFit, I would say the goal I have reached that I am most proud of is a mental/emotional one surrounding body image. So often women (and men too) are told/taught/shown what being beautiful or attractive is…and for women it often doesn’t entail physical strength or muscle mass. CrossFit has helped me to know strength and muscle mass as beauty and to be proud of having both.
FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?
My favorite movement of all time is overhead squats and any workout with them in it.
LEAST FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?
I’m not too fond of thrusters or wall balls or any workouts with those movements included.
ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN TRYING OUT CROSSFIT?
I would first tell them to try it…and try at least 3 classes before making any decisions. I would also share that not every gym or gym community is the same. Every gym has their own culture, vibe and style of community…find a gym that meets your needs and wants. Lastly, CrossFit transfers into so many other everyday life movements…embrace the simplest and most complex movements because they all contribute.
