Name: Kate Padberg
Age: 41
Occupation: High School Art Teacher
- How long have you been a member of CrossFit Northland?
6 months
- What brought you into CFN?
I have been friends with Alexis and Danielle for a few years and they always had great things to say about CFN, so last May when they asked if I wanted to attend a bring a friend day I said yes. I was hesitant since I’d been out of the gym for a few years. I didn’t die that first workout and actually had fun! Everyone was so welcoming and positive and I immediately fell in love with the community.
- Tell us about your fitness/health background?
I was a competitive gymnast for 10 years before coaching for another 10. 20 years inside a gymnastics gym as an athlete and coach gave me a solid foundation of fitness. I also played soccer growing up, rec in college, and still play on an old lady team at the dome. I worked out at the YMCA in Parkville on and off for the last 15 years, but always needed a coach or class to stay consistent. (I was a body pump fan). My 30’s were the hardest on my body with two pregnancies, three major surgeries, and a global pandemic/lockdown. Coming out of the pandemic I knew I needed to focus on my overall health- social, emotional, and physical and just move more in my 40’s.
- What are some changes you’ve noticed during your fitness journey at CFN (Physically, mentally, capabilities, daily life, etc.)
I knew I was feeling better this fall when school started and I wasn’t nearly as stressed as I’d been the past couple of years. I overheard my husband talking at a party to a friend about how he has noticed changes in me and is proud of me for joining and going to CFN. Honestly, it was the validation I needed to know my family was also being impacted in a positive way. I am an all around better person when I am consistent with workouts. It’s something I’ve always known, but I was seriously stuck after the pandemic and CFN is exactly what I needed to get back to my old self. I told myself in July when I started that I would give myself a year to see what progress I could make and at my last goal meeting with David it became clear that I’ll remain a member for years.
- What is your favorite part of CFN?
The people. Wow. I feel so lucky to have found such a supportive group of like minded people who show up and push each other. The coaches are stellar, the members are positive and everyone is just so helpful. Seriously, never been to another gym like it. In fact, I was talking to my physical therapist who is a member of another crossfit gym up north and she said she hears the same thing from others. What sets CFN apart is the community.
- What motivates you and keeps you coming back for more week after week?
My lifelong goal is to be THE cool grandma. (Ya know how you had one set of grandparents you liked and wanted to visit and be with more than the other? Everyone has “A” and “B” grandparents. I want to be in the “A” category.) I want to live as healthy and active as long as possible. I have two genetic conditions that will make that harder for me later in life- I am BRCA1+ (I carry the breast cancer gene) and the marker for ankylosing spondylitis (an autoimmune disease where your spine fuse together). I have had the preventative surgeries to postpone and/or prevent the cancer as much as possible. My oncologist and rheumatologist say the two biggest factors that will have the greatest impact are diet and exercise. That and it just feels better to move and eat well. The older I get the more that becomes true.
- If you could have one super power, what would it be?
I’d love to be able to fly. To workout at CFN, then fly to Paris for lunch and wake up in Milan? Sounds wonderful.
- What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone that is considering joining a CrossFit gym?
Give yourself a short term (6-8 wk) and long term goal (3-6 m, 1 yr). Use the coaches and any mentoring (think nutrition, special courses, etc) to stay consistent and track your progress.