Age: 38

Occupation: Mother

Hometown: Shingle Springs, CA

Favorite WOD: Any one that leaves me sweaty but not puking...

Least favorite WOD: The puking kind.

Favorite lift: I have a love/hate relationship with snatches.  The snatch has taken the longest for me to learn but when I do one that feels right, it is the most satisfying.

How long have you been Crossfitting? 3 years

Which class time do you usually attend?  The 9:06. 

How did you find Crossfit? Marta kept telling me about how awesome Crossfit is and then starting acquainting me with some of the movements.  Finally I worked up the courage to sign-up. 

What is your athletic background?  I played tennis competitively, and did cross country and played ultimate frisbee.  I love pick up sports, I love competing, and I love long swims in the ocean. 

Has Crossfit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?  Absolutely!  I was so resistant to spending the time and money for myself at first but realized I was probably just intimidated.  I came into crossfit not able to do one sit up and never thinking I would ever do a full pull-up ( I was the chubby girl who could barely hold her head above the bar in elementary school.)  Showing up and being accountable to my body, challenging it and being good to it was an amazing feeling.  I could wax poetic for a long time about what I have taken away from my crossfit experience, but one mantra I bring into my day with me is  "just do the next rep", don’t think about the next round or the next movement or the next moment, do the next rep. One rep at a time.  Life is often times hugely overwhelming and this reminds me to stay in the moment.  Also, I often remind myself to “just show up”  I don’t have to be a hero or conquer a new movement or get a PR.  Just show up and move.

What motivates/inspires you?  I am deeply inspired by the courage of people who are out of shape that start that journey towards health and self-care.  It is not easy to take that risk and step out of your comfort zone.

Name one goal/personal achievement that you would like to achieve through Crossfit:  Being disciplined about mobility and movements that complement my strength training.

Hobbies/interests outside of Crossfit? Gardening, birding, herding kids and animals. 

What were your thoughts after your first CrossFit experience?  I was super overwhelmed with all the new lingo, the names of the movements etc.  For months or maybe a year I would get butterflies in my stomach on my way to the gym because I wondered if I was going to be able to make it through the WOD.

What is your favorite cheat food? Any kind of chips and also bourbon.

Tell us something about you that most people wouldn’t know: I work with the homeless population of El Dorado County.

Any advice for new members? Come as you are. Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t look at the WOD until 5 min before you do it.  Stressing won’t get it done.