Height: 5’6″
Weight: 120lbs
Career: Mechanical Engineer
Favorite CF movement: Deadlifts and rope climbs. I can lift the heaviest weight with deadlifts, and rope climbs are something I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to do with injuries. I recently got those and am stoked!
Most hated CF movement:Snatches - any overhead weight is difficult for me
How long have you been CrossFitting? Since January 2013
What were your athletic endeavors prior to CF?
I have always been the athletic/competitive type and grew up playing tennis, soccer, field hockey, basketball, and golf. Soccer was my primary sport and I played competitively in indoor and outdoor city leagues. When I was 14, my doctor noted I had developed slight Scoliosis (curvature of the spinal column). In December of 2001, only four months later, the curvature increased so quickly I had no choice but to have surgery. Over Christmas break I had a spinal fusion and 14″ long titanium rods put in. Recovery was a year of PT, doctors visits, and laying extremely low. I was able to get back into sports, but it was much harder due to the limited mobility the rods gave me. Due to complications, the rods were removed three years later (my spine is still fused), and I went back to sports again after 6 months of PT. Eventually, the constant overuse of my back ended up getting me a “no impact/no sport” exercise restriction as the discs above and below the fusion started degenerating. Major pain!! That prompted the next four years of pathetically boring sessions on an elliptical until the pain went away.
What got you into CF?
Tina from one of my favorite blogs, Carrots N’ Cake, does CF and frequently mentions how competitive it is and that it can be modified to any physical level. The workouts seemed crazy and I was dying to have that kind of intensity back! After explaining my situation in a few emails, I went to a free CF workout and was instantly hooked. No more boring elliptical!
Any goals or goats, athletic or otherwise you’re working on right now?
CF has improved my back pain more than anything else I’ve tried in the past. The focus on controlled movement and core strength have given me back the ability to run, jump, and has increased my flexibility. My only goal is to continue what I’m doing and keep seeing positive results.
Give us some insight into your life outside the gym.
Random facts I guess..
- I met my husband Scott our senior year in high school and we’ve been married for almost 4 years now
- I’ve been going to Flatirons Community Church since 2007 and have noticed that MBS is like the unofficial CF hub of FCC’ers
- Outside the gym I’m a complete nerd (hence my job): video games, books, board games, computers… I’m a techie
- There are way too many food blogs bookmarked on my internet browser…
Paleo, Gluten free, Whole 30 or do you eat whatever you want?
I don’t follow any particular diet, but I do eat pretty clean: lean meats, fruits/veggies, nuts, and somewhat limit breads/pastas/desserts/starchy carbs. I’m never one to pass up frozen yogurt or dark chocolate, especially the 90-100% stuff that everyone says is too bitter.
Dog person or Cat person?
Both! I never had a pet growing up, so any animal in the house is fine by me! Scott and I currently have a cat named Salami, but we’ve been talking about getting a Golden Retriever puppy once our jobs are closer to home.
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