TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF THE GYM?
Outside of the gym I’m a teacher. I work at National Louis University in their undergraduate college, teaching courses in the humanities and social sciences. It can be really hard, and it keeps me very busy, but I love my job! I love working with undergrads and especially first-generation college students, and I love creating new curriculum (I’m working on a course called “Art and Power” for the fall) and doing research and writing. I’m a nerd, and I like teaching, so this is pretty much my dream job right now.
WHAT INITIALLY GOT YOU INTO CROSSFIT AND WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK?
Initially I got into Crossfit when I was living in North Carolina through a guy I was dating. I got addicted to the workouts, the crazy exhaustion, endorphins, and teamwork. I really liked pushing myself working on new muscle groups I hadn’t been paying as much attention (hello legs!), and I liked the integration of gymnastics, which made it seem less overwhelming. It was only at Hardware though that I really began to see Crossfit as a sustainable part of my life and fitness goals, and that all really started clicking at last fall’s Crossfit Open and
Friday night lights. Everyone was so supportive and welcoming and Blue team leader Eddie did a great job of keeping folks motivated and full of spirit. I feel like at Crossfit I have found a group of coaches and athletes that aren’t showing up just for the competition or the flex, but who are a mutual support and accountability towards improvement in overall health and wellness. I really like the familial and collegial atmosphere and the embrace of everyone’s bodies and ability-levels as part of what the gym is about.
WHAT ARE YOUR CROSSFIT GOALS? HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO REACHING THEM?
My goals are always evolving, but I’d like to keep working on my bar and ring kipping pull-ups when we’re back in the gym. I’d also like to gain more capacity with a heavy bar. I want to do my next Crossfit completely Rx for at least 3 of the weeks. I think that’s doable?
WHAT’S AN ACCOMPLISHMENT OR GOAL YOU’VE REACHED DUE TO CROSSFIT THAT’S MADE YOU THE MOST PROUD?
Generally, just getting in a more intentional place with my workouts and now (thanks to Landree) better eating and sleeping habits, but I did ring the bell lightly one night after finally beginning to master double unders and did 50 in a row. You can teach an old dog new tricks!
FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?
I like WODs that mix it up body-weight wise (rings, rope climbs, handstands, pistols, etc), but I recently enjoyed the “Death by Burpees” WOD we did at home. I like how it starts off manageable and then takes you to the dark side. We did 15 rounds, and I look forward to trying it again, maybe 16!
LEAST FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?
I have a love-hate relationship with squats, deadlifting, etc., but Mitch and Aaliyah have been helping me improve with the Oly workouts. However, I’ll definitely have to go with heavy bar snatches. There’s so much happening in terms of coordination, and it’s a lot of strength plus balance, so getting better at those is also on my list.
ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN TRYING OUT CROSSFIT?
Go for it! Don’t forget to stretch!