Athlete of the MonthFebruary

Gaby L (she/her/they/them/theirs)

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

I am a multi-hyphenate theatre artist: an actor, director, Fight Director, and Intimacy Director, and I work all over the country while proudly calling Chicago home.  My favorite animals are bats for many reasons, including that I consider them a symbol of empathy. Besides Hardware and attending stage combat workshops and dance classes whenever my wallet and schedule allow, I enjoy spending quality time with my partner, hanging out with friends, doing yoga, taking care of my plants, tackling my planner, practicing handstands, and seeing movies and plays. I am now a Dad to a 9-month-old Cattle Dog mix named Parcha and I’m relishing getting to know her and training her each day!

 

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

Since I am a movement professional, I was looking for a way to train and workout in a dynamic way to increase my agility, strength, and mobility; as I told Darcy and some previous coaches, “I want to be Spider-man.”  I tried out CrossFit while I was away in Oregon for a contract and it ticked all of those boxes (minus the radioactive spider-bite), so when I returned to Chicago and the pandemic started to subside, I joined Hardware.  I keep coming back because each workout is an exciting challenge and I feel like this is how my body and mind connect in a different and personal way through movement.  The coaches especially help me foster that connection through specificity of actions, encouragement, and sensitivity to my body’s capabilities and challenges. Strength and Conditioning Classes are a personal practice in patience and progress over perfection.

 

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

Some of my goals are to do a pull-up, get my toes-to-bar consistent, and be able to do at least a 24 inch box jump.  Progress-wise I am confident I can get my toes to the bar in the next 2-3 months and my pull-up by the end of the year.  The box jump is a big mental hurdle for me, but I will get to the 20 inch mark soon.

 

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

After recovering from my knee and wrist injuries over these past few months, I’ve been able to focus on building up strength again. I’m proud of my patience and work throughout my recovery and I hit a new PR with my back squat when I lifted more than my own body weight pain-free! That felt incredible.

 

FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?­­

I love working with kettlebells, the rower, and back squat.

LEAST FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?
Although I love burpees (I know, I’m a weirdo), some WOD’s don’t give me enough time to regulate my breath between burpees and other movements in rapid succession.  I just don’t like having to force a break in a workout to figure out new breathing patterns/catch my breath. Oof, and snatches.  *cue the “Oh no” song*

 

ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN TRYING OUT HARDWARE?
Go at your own pace, pick your own weights, ask every question, and stay curious about all movement and what you are capable of.

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