TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF THE GYM?
Well.. pre pandemic, and when I am not at work, I enjoy getting out and enjoying as much as I could that this city offers. The theatre, dance, comedy, eating out at various restaurants. I am a huge animal lover so I am often out riding my bike to the zoo, aquarium or museums. I enjoy spending time outside being as active as I can, riding my bike, walking my dog, just wandering different neighborhoods. I also enjoy reading and art, recently took up adult coloring. If there is anything to say about this Pandemic is it is allowing me to focus on myself, find new things to try and kind of self reflect.
WHAT INITIALLY GOT YOU INTO CROSSFIT AND WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK?
I took a Crossfit class with a friend way back when I used to live in the suburbs and at that time I honestly had not been very active, and was probably not in the best shape. I about died during that class and couldn’t walk for days and never went back. I also couldn’t fathom paying that much for something that physically made me feel so bad. I will come to later realize just how wrong I was! Flash forward to about 5 years ago, I recently moved to the city and started working for a physical rehab facility for pets. One of my patient’s owners, whom I had become friends with, asked if I would try a free first class at a Crossfit gym in Andersonville. I was hesitant, I had just had surgery on my knee and was still traumatized by that one class I took years ago. But she insisted, said she got all the info, met with George and was even willing to pay for my first month. And so here I am. Yes I am not gonna lie, after that first class with George I couldn’t move. I literally had to roll myself onto the floor because I could not get up from a seated position, but I came back. It was the best decision I ever made and I honestly owe it to Deb Attarian for getting me there in the first place. What keeps me coming back? Well, Hardware has been my community, my family. I owe a profound amount of gratitude to every coach who has pushed me, guided me, encouraged me, to the relationships and friendships I have created here, to all the dogs I get to see and pet and love. You all have been an instrumental part of my life these past 5 years and I don’t know where I would be without you all. Ya’ll are what keeps me coming back. This has been the best investment I could have ever made. I only have one life and one body, and Hardware has pushed me to become the best version of myself. No regrets!
WHAT ARE YOUR CROSSFIT GOALS? HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO REACHING THEM?
I will get a strict pull up one of these days! I am almost there, luckily I found a pull up bar in the basement of my apt complex so I can continue to practice while in quarantine. I would also love to one day get a bar muscle up, baby steps.
WHAT’S AN ACCOMPLISHMENT OR GOAL YOU’VE REACHED DUE TO CROSSFIT THAT’S MADE YOU THE MOST PROUD?
Oh boy, well I would have to say that doing all the workouts for the last two Crossfit Opens RX. I also never thought I would love lifting weights and becoming strong. I am doing things that I never thought possible before and I love it! Crossfit is now a priority in my life and its been the one thing I have been most dedicated and committed to.
FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?
Power Cleans and TTB. And thanks to OLY I am starting to enjoy Snatches!
LEAST FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?
Thrusters, Wall Balls, and Burpees!
ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN TRYING OUT CROSSFIT?
Just do it. It’s scary, it’s a bit intimidating at first, but don’t let that stop you. You will soon come to realize that a Crossfit gym is everything but that. There is a community here, a family with like minded individuals that will push you, cry with you, guide you and help you to accomplish any goal you set out for yourself. It’s an investment, and the best investment you could make for yourself.