Age:46
Occupation: Marketing Assistant, Chemainus Theatre Festival
Favourite movement/exercise: Deadlifts, back squats & thrusters are very satisfying!
Movement you find most challenging: Anything overhead. Or pull-ups, definitely pull-ups.
Favourite healthy meal: Spicy bar-b-que chicken, spinach salad, and roasted potatoes.
Favourite not-so healthy meal: Pizza and triple chocolate cake (because when it comes to chocolate I never go half-way).
What made you decide to join CrossFit Anchored Athletics?
I got tired of not being able to get out of bed without excruciating back pain and I was tired of being unable to do things for myself like yard work or lifting things like the vacuum cleaner . I hated that I couldn’t just dance and play with my nieces and nephews! I wanted to do something that would help me regain my strength and mobility. I tried everything else so I was pretty sure Crossfit was my last, best chance to rebuild my body!
What do you enjoy most about CrossFit Anchored Athletics?
I thrive on the feel-great vibe I get when I walk in the door to see everyone working hard together, supporting and
encouraging each other, and the coaches guiding us all on our path to those PR’s!
What changes have you seen in your body composition, health and performance since starting at Anchored Athletics?
Honestly, I don’t often weigh myself or take my measurements anymore. I pay much more attention to the weights going on the bar in class! I remember when it was such a struggle for me to do a 75lb deadlift and I just recently hit a 195lb deadlift! Sometimes I feel like I’m not progressing but then I hit a 20lb PR and I know everything is changing. I notice my body changing shape more each month and I love it! The differences I see in myself are huge! I have a greater capacity to cope with stress (goodbye insomnia & depression), and vastly improved mobility, strength, and stamina. Crossfit is as mentally challenging as it is physical. It has helped me get my life back and I’m doing everything better than I used to, both in class and in life.
Tell us about your sport and fitness background:
I spent a lot of time at my grandparents’ cattle ranch in Northern BC so I was pretty active from the time I was wee. In high school I was cheerleading captain, but injured my neck and shoulder when I landed a backflip badly. I turned to cycling for a few years. As an adult I got into Irish Dancing and taught that for about 7 years until I injured a disc in my back. Fibromyalgia has slowed me down for years. All of these things and bad medical advice put me in a terrible place physically and mentally. I decided to take control of my health and my life. I researched Crossfit, but knew I would have to do a lot of work before I could even walk into a class. So I got into trail hiking, lifting light dumbbells at home, and doing a bit of Pilates and yoga until I felt I was ready to try Crossfit last September. I wish I had Crossfit in my life twenty years ago!
What is your short term (3 month goal)?
In the short term I want to be able to back squat my body weight so I can graduate from baby box jumps to the big box jumps.
What is your long term (6-12 month goal)?
Long term, I want to be able to do strict pull-ups and chin-ups. Then maybe I’ll consider entering an obstacle course
event to test myself.
What would your advice be to someone wanting to start CrossFit but is nervous?
It looks intimidating but the coaches help you break it down into small pieces, help you set goals, and coach you all the way there. You’re never on your own in Crossfit. Once you try it you’ll kick yourself for not doing it sooner! You will be doing things you thought you could never do and you’ll be loving it!
Tell us a little about yourself outside of CrossFit Anchored Athletics?
I’m pretty boring, actually. I like to travel to places where I can visit archaeological sites (think Orkney Islands, Scotland) and historical sites. I read. A lot. I write as much as I read because I want to master the craft of writing fiction. I love dancing! My drink of preference is single malt scotch (Oban is my fave) or a good wine nicely paired with my meal. I don’t like beer. At all. I do like to try new things (learn to paint, re-finish furniture, kayak, etc.) so my bucket list never seems to be finished. I love people and hearing their stories! Last, but not least, I’m excited about becoming a grandparent for the first time, in a couple of months! I think #CrossfitGrandma is a pretty cool hashtag! 😉
