TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF THE GYM?
I was born outside of Philadelphia, moved to Chicago in 2014, and have lived here for the past 5 years. I’m a Licensed Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Other Drugs Counselor and specialize in providing substance use prevention education in K-`12 schools and universities and treatment services for adolescents. Over the past 3 years, I have had the opportunity through work to travel to over 15 countries as well as all over the US. My next trip is for my 30th birthday in June–I’ll be exploring Iceland (and checking out CrossFit Reykjavik of course!)
WHAT INITIALLY GOT YOU INTO CROSSFIT AND WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK?
It’s pretty cliche but after watching the CrossFit Games and following the “Dottirs” I was like, the Dottirs are goals! My only exposure to CrossFit was the Games, I thought I wouldn’t be able to keep up or I wasn’t in good enough shape to start, but I quickly realized that CrossFit really does meet people where they are at.
In terms of what keeps me coming back, pretty early on I set a goal for myself to be able to try and do all those movements I saw Games athletes doing. Handstand push-ups, bar muscle-ups, snatches, cleans, kipping pull-ups, pegboard, all of it. I told myself, “You will learn how to do that”. That’s what keeps me coming back. In my early teens I was a competitive skateboarder. CrossFit reminds me a lot of skating. Landing a new trick or getting my first muscle-up is the same rush, I always want more! Similarly to skating, my Olympic lifts and gymnastics will always have room for improvement and mastery and 8 months in I’ve realized I’ve got a long way to go.
WHAT ARE YOUR CROSSFIT GOALS? HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO REACHING THEM?
Right now I’m making an effort to lift heavier and always do the RX weight for workouts and continue to work on foundational movements that will make my WODs more efficient.
In terms of reaching those goals, honestly, it depends on the day with weight. I try to honor my body and not push myself beyond what I’m capable of. I have found that the foundational movements are a constant work in progress.
WHAT’S AN ACCOMPLISHMENT OR GOAL YOU’VE REACHED DUE TO CROSSFIT THAT’S MADE YOU THE MOST PROUD?
I think my cardiovascular endurance has increased which probably would not have happened if I had been left to my own devices.
Favorite WOD/MOVEMENT?
I like bar muscle-ups, snatches, and rowing.
LEAST FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?
Squat Cleans
ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN TRYING OUT CROSSFIT?
I originally came and did the CrossFit onboarding class 7+ months before I finally joined Hardware. If I could go back and give myself advice, I would have just started that next day. After one month, I fully drank the Kool-Aid — best thing I’ve done for my health and fitness in years. I wish I had started sooner. Try it for a month, be open-minded, patient, and coachable.