1. What inspired you to start your fitness journey
and how did you get into CrossFit? Fitness has always been a large part of my life. As a kid and young adult I participated in a variety of varsity, club and intramural sports. As an adult I kept playing in sports leagues and continued to try new sports when I could. I really enjoy the community aspect of sport. I think it was inevitable that I would give CrossFit a try! I hit a fitness lull after my son was born and my family moved. It was tough to get back in shape by myself and I missed being part of a fitness community. I reached out to Seven Devils inquiring about a class, showed up, and the rest is history! I really appreciated the welcoming community, the level of care from coaches, and the opportunity to get outside my comfort zone and try something completely new to me.
2. What’s your favorite CrossFit workout or movement, and why?
My favorite workout is Holleyman: 30 rounds for time of 5 wall balls, 3 handstand pushups, and 1 power clean. I enjoy long grindings WODS, and the combination of some gymnastics with a heavy power clean. My favorite movement is probably the snatch. When I first started CrossFit it was a movement that was pretty intimidating to me but I have spent time working on my technique and now enjoy moving weight from ground to overhead.
3. How do you use your fitness outside the gym in everyday life or for fun activities?
One of the great things about my current level of fitness is that it makes my everyday life better by keeping me prepared for anything. I have the strength, stamina, and body-awareness to do whatever I want or need to do throughout my day. Whether I am carrying in my grocery haul, picking up and carrying my ever-growing child, or running with my dog I do what I want because I know I’m capable. I’m also a person that likes to try new fitness activities. Whenever I try something new I rarely worry about my fitness capacity and can focus on learning the skill of the thing.
4. What do you enjoy most about coaching, and how do you help members reach their goals?
The thing I love most about coaching is helping people find confidence in trying new things and moving around the gym. The scariest thing to do is walk through the door – we’ve got you covered from there! It’s rewarding to watch people stretch themselves and do things they didn’t necessarily think they could do. I help members reach their goals by connecting with them where they are at in their fitness journey, coaching proper technique and offering modifications for movements that may be a challenge, and offering cues and encouragement where needed. I also like to remind people that consistency is the secret sauce for making progress. Keep showing up!
5. What hobbies or activities do you enjoy when you’re not at the gym?
When I’m not at the gym I enjoy hanging out with my family, watching my kiddo learn and play his own sports, and spending time outside on the trails. I really enjoy trail running, hiking, and mountain biking and am grateful to live in a place where I can do them regularly.
