SEPTEMBER 2017 ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
CONGRATULATIONS TO MARTA MCCREARY!
This girl always walks in with a smile and a get-after-it mentality. Even during the toughest workouts, her smile is still there! Thank you Marta for being apart of our family. We love watching you get stronger!!!
Here is Marta’s CrossFit Story…
Before starting CF in the fall of last year, I had been searching for something to supplement my running and yoga routine. I recently ran my 4th marathon and it was not a great race. I felt I needed a change and I needed to get stronger. I was happy to discover there was a CF gym in town (I didn’t know then it’s called a box).
I was a little nervous, afraid everybody is super fit and will laugh at me, since I couldn’t even do a pull up or a push up. The thing that convinced me was that CrossFit Big Rock is owned by women and there are more female coaches than male. That could only be awesome, I thought. And I was right! The community here is so welcoming and encouraging that I keep coming back. I also really like that it is not all about more weight, that there is a lot of stretching and real emphasis on the proper form. The coaches are actually coaching! And doing a great job!
I love doing CrossFit. There is a whole lot of things I still can’t do (pull ups) but I made huge progress with others (push ups). I am getting stronger every week. I plan my work, my weekends and even my vacation around CrossFit. My husband thinks I am a little bit crazy 🙂
What was supposed to be an addition to my routine, became my primary focus. I still love running and there will be a time I will need to start training for the next marathon. But until then, CrossFit it is.
JULY 2017 ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
I have been “CrossFitting” for many years on/off (since 2008), trying to juggle kids and making time for myself. CrossFit was the best and fastest way to get in a really good workout without thinking too much about what I needed to do. The one hour workout and done approach appealed to me and I had someone else telling me what to do instead of wandering around a gym trying to figure out the many machines.
I love the community environment that CrossFit provides. I have made so many friends. It truly feels like a family whenever we come together.
I love to have fun and laugh at myself, even when I want to quit. I just keep taking deep breaths and just do the work until its done. It helps to smile even though some of the pictures I see of myself, it looks like I’m crying or worried.
I never would have thought I would actually sign up to compete, but peer pressure really works! Everyone should try at least one competition during their CrossFit journey, face your fears. It really is so much fun to put yourself out there and see what you are really made of, you might be surprised.
I would love to do more competitions! I am not competitive by nature but I think it has pushed me to work harder when being judged and my team mates are pushing me to do my best.
Outside of CrossFit, I have two energetic girls to keep entertained and a pug to cuddle and take naps with. Oh and I enjoy spending time with my busy Husband who always has a project for me to supervise.
Robins Egg Blue, The English Patient, I love all, the spicier the better! I will travel anywhere, but am partial to sunny places on/near the water.
JUNE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
CONGRATULATIONS TO SARAI JACOBS!
Sarai, you are our Athlete of the Month for June! Hands down, this girl is one of the hardest workers we have here at Big Rock! There are times (and she mentions it below) where she doubts herself. And every time she comes out on top. She gives it her all and it shows. Sarai consistently improves in speed, movements, and increasing those weights. We are super impressed with you, Sarai, and super proud of your determination and confidence! We basically think you’re a ROCK STAR!
Tell us a little about what lead you to walk through our doors here at CrossFit Big Rock? I had been looking for some kind of gym or fitness program that I could join that was low commitment. I hate to admit it but I’m kind of a quitter and since I knew that going in, I knew I wanted something that was flexible.
What motivated you to come in? Sarah Eyer was actually the person who finally convinced me to try out CrossFit. She told me how cool everyone was there and how great the program was. So I finally went for it!
What keeps you coming back for more? It’s taken me 33 years but CrossFit has taught me that I can. I can do anything that I work hard for. As I reflect back, I can see the pattern in why I always quit things. I always quit because I was either told I can’t or I shouldn’t or I had those thoughts myself and no one to combat them. But at Crossfit I’ve experienced the opposite. Whenever I have a thought like “Sarai, what the heck are you doing? You can’t do this!” Someone yells “You got this! Pick it up! Keeping going! Nice work!” And my whole thinking shifts. I think “they are right, it’s hard but I can do this. I can and I will!”. That’s what keeps me coming back.
Did you play sports growing up? I played basketball, soccer, and ran track in middle and high school.
Other than CrossFit, what other activities keep you busy? My family! Ha! I have 3 kids (age 11, 8, 2) I’ve been doing this motherhood thing for a long time and it has always been important to me to raise good kids. Kids with good hearts, that are kind and compassionate and always stand up for what is right. That takes a lot of work! But I firmly believe that my greatest accomplishment may very well be my children. So to me, there is too much at stake to not fully invest in them. I also love watching movies and TV shows.
What’s your favorite movement/WOD you hope to see on the whiteboard when you walk into class? Oh man, not sure if I have a favorite haha. I like running. Or push or bench press.
What’s your least favorite? Super easy, burpees. I hate burpees!
Favorites:
Color? Black
Food? Pizza
Vacation spot, favorite place to get away? Local: Suncadia. International: Panama
Movie? Oh man…hard to pick. Maybe Boondock Saints. Or anything with Denzel Washington. I’m kind of a movie buff so I really like a lot of movies
Dessert/treat? Gooey chocolate/peanut butter brownies
CrossFit was new to you when you came to CFBR. What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking about giving CrossFit a go? You can do it! Anyone can do it. CrossFit is just like anything else, you have to start somewhere and slowly build yourself up. You have to go in knowing that slow and steady is how you get stronger everyday ??
