Member Spotlight

Our May Athlete of the Month is no surprise to any of us here at CrossFit Big Rock… Congratulations to JAKE HOLMES!
Jake came to Big Rock about six months ago.  Jake is not new to CrossFit, but it had been a little while. Easing back into the cardio was the fun part (right Jake? Ok, maybe not). But lifting heavy, you could tell, was his favorite and it didn’t take very long at all to get those heavy weight plates back on the bar. Then you bet, just a few months back into it and he was PR’ing all over the place! Pretty exciting! He attends the 5:30am classes pretty regularly and now is mixing it up and WODing at night too so he can get his lifting in during Open Gym time. Jake, thanks for always walking into CFBR with a smile on your face and ready to tackle whatever is on the whiteboard. It’s been fun watching you get stronger and faster!

What’s your CrossFit story?
— Hey guys, I started Crossfit in November 2015.

What is your CrossFit favorite? And what’s not your favorite?
— Some of my favorite CrossFit favorites include team-based competitive activities, along with compounded movements that make each set excruciatingly painful (that’s when I start laughing from the pain). However, my least favorite has to be burpees, or thrusters. 

You recently got a new job. What draws you to that profession? Tell us about it…
— I am recently employed by King County in the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention as a Juvenile Detention Officer. Over the past few weeks, I can sum it up as going from having no responsibility of children, to having 10 children I am responsible for during my shift. I hope to have this be a building block into other possibilities within King County.

Other than work, what keeps you busy outside the box?
— What has kept me busy outside of the box. Over the past two months I have been house searching, so my weekends have been goners. Outside of that I enjoy video games. *insert super nerdy joke here.*

Most embarrassing moment?
— My most embarrassing moment… at least at the Box… was during Box Jumps early in the morning and biffing it, and eating rubber with my face.

Did you play sports growing up?
— I grew up playing Little League Baseball until age 11, where I switched over to Select baseball for the Riverview Ravens… in Middle School and High School I played both Baseball and Football.

What is your favorite cheat meal?
— Every meal is cheat meal. Just kidding. When I take my diet seriously, and I am trying to alter my food intake, my biggest cheat meal is breakfast… waffles, eggs, syrup, butter, bacon, and a milkshake.

Any advice for CrossFit newbies?
— I can say with confidence I came into CrossFit with strength, but no functional movement ability compared to the majority of others. CrossFit can be extremely daunting, and looks like a lot of work… and it is. However the community CrossFit brings with it far outweighs any difficulty one may have in choosing to begin at a CrossFit gym. Every coach I have had or come across is extremely welcoming, thoughtful, thorough, and wants the best for you. You have no idea what you are missing until you experience it.

One particular athlete, here at CrossFit Big Rock, has really stepped up her game lately and is shining! The Big Rock Intramural Open really brought out a fire in this gal and we all noticed. Congratulations goes out to Wendy Tumbleson as she’s earned the title of  April Athlete of the Month!

Wendy has been with CFBR since the beginning and has been a super supportive member. She is one of our regulars at night and weekends, and is one tough cookie. She’s so consistent, she’s so dedicated to staying healthy and has a great work ethic. Wendy doesn’t slack. She’s always pushing herself! Even her move to Redmond didn’t slow her down or distract her from getting into the box on a regular basis!

Here’s a little info on Wendy…

You have had several surgeries that would have put most folks on the couch.  What keeps you motivated to come in and get your workout on anyway? 
2 reasons:  1- The people mostly, keeps me coming back.  Every coach is very willing to help find me alternates as well as push me when I need it.  2- I want to be able to move as I age.  I also have to admit that I love the reaction from people when they find out I do CrossFit.

What is your favorite CrossFit lift?
Deadlift and Thrusters.

What is your most dreaded?
Snatch anything

What is your favorite treat? 
Rocky Road ice cream

Favorite destination?
Hawaii

Favorite quote?
This one is tough since I have a few.  Favorite recent one is “it is our choices that truly show what we are, far more than our abilities”.  (JK Rowling). Reminds me of the words I told my daughter in cheer-actions speak louder than words.

Congratulations to KRISSY ROMANUS our March Athlete of the Month here at CrossFit Big Rock!

Krissy’s CrossFit story started with a Gift Certificate from her husband. Krissy’s hubby came in one day, bragging about what a cool wife he had and how he knew she’d love CrossFit. Boy was he right!

Krissy came in early January this year ready for the challenge. She walked in with that beaming sweet contagious smile and never looked back. Krissy continues to walk through our door with that same go get it attitude and that same beautiful smile each week.

“She simply lights up a room.”
“Class is always more fun when Krissy is there next to you!”
“Love how hard she works to learn new things.”
“Krissy is awesome! Her attitude lights other people up and her work ethic is top notch!”

Krissy answered a few questions for us…

What brought you in to CrossFit?
Curiosity, really.  I had heard great things about it and was very interested and very intimidated.  Talked about joining for months and months, and just kept talking…My husband actually had to sign me up to get my going and stop talking about it. So glad he did!  All of the CFBR folks are great!

Did you play sports growing up?
Yep!  Let’s see…Soccer, softball, then equestrian.

What motivates you to learn a new move?
The challenge.  Well, actually the coaches. I wouldn’t do half the things I do now if you guys hadn’t had the confidence in me.  I also enjoy watching all of the WODers – they all have such determination – and that is motivating.

Are you a traveler?  If so, what is your favorite vacation spot?
Traveled a lot growing up – military family.  SO – now in my older years, I don’t have the same travel bug as many people.  We have a cabin out by Chelan that I really enjoy.

Favorite quote?
I have a favorite word…. “TIME”