1. How did your journey with CrossFit Northland began? How long have you been a member of CrossFit Northland? What made you decide to join our gym?
I joined CFN in Feb 2015 after hearing Lyndsy Morton talking about what a great community it was. I tried it out and it turns out she was right. My goals were to improve my core strength, become more fit in general, and model a healthy lifestyle for my kids. I did not have much/any experience with lifting weights so remember being totally intimidated by the heavy weights people were throwing around. With that being the case, the majority of classes I did in my first 6 months were CrossFit Endurance (equivalent to today’s CrossFit Move) classes. In those days, that class was a lot of running with body weight movements and light weights. Eventually, I gained the confidence to move into the regular classes and to start trying new things and heavier weights.
2. Tell us about your fitness/health background? (Have you always been active? Played sports growing up? Tried other gym settings? Worked out at home? etc.)
I played lots of baseball and basketball through high school. Then, I took up golf for a few years before getting into running. I ran a few half marathons and the Chicago marathon before deciding to try out CrossFit.
3. How does personal training suit you best?
I started doing personal training with David in 2019 when I realized I needed to work on my mobility and form. I had been doing most of the movements in class but realized I was just doing them, not doing them well. Having a personal trainer to really drill down on the small things has been tremendously helpful. Then when the pandemic hit, I wasn’t anxious to be in a closed space with a lot of others around, so having one-on-one sessions has been great to keep me on track when I otherwise would have likely lost some focus if left to my own devices away from the peer pressure/support of group classes.
4. In your opinion, what is the most valuable aspect of Crossfit Northland?
I think the coaches and the encouraging atmosphere of CFN are the most valuable. All of the coaches are knowledgable and enthusiastic and help you get the most out of each workout, even on those days where you’re struggling to get through. Then all of the athletes, no matter their skill level, seem to be on the same team and we are all just there trying to be our best and healthiest selves
5. What is your favorite CFN memory?
I think my best CFN memories are the little things. Finally stringing together those first unbroken pull-ups or double unders. Or feeling like I’ve finally figured out what it is supposed to feel to do a movement with proper form. Those feelings of accomplishment and having a few friends around to celebrate it with you are great
6. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
At this point in time, with all the misinformation and nonsense floating around, I think I’d settle for this two part superpower. First I would be able to cut through the noise and be able to know what is real and true in this world. Secondly I would be able to convey it to others so that they’d also understand the truth and stop believing things that are verifiably false.