I love to be outside – running, snowboarding, fishing, and camping. My husband and I love to travel as much as possible and we usually end up somewhere new each year to snowboard. We are down for any type of outdoor adventure even if it means camping outside when its 30 and sleeting. I am a huge fan of reading and love reading running memoirs and motivational books. I currently working in the ER at St Joe’s Hospital as a Physician Assistant – I bounce between Ann Arbor, Brighton and Howell locations. My husband, Brace, and I have a French bulldog (Millie) and two Persian cats (Gizmo and Tank) – all three think they are lap animals and all three attempt to sit on laps at the same time – this is quite the feat when Millie is involved as she is a 40lb sack of potatoes with pointy legs.
How long have you been doing CrossFit?
I started CrossFit a few months before the pandemic really took hold in 2019 – the gym shut down for a few months, but Billy sent out a ton of home workouts that included body weight and weighted exercises and offered up gym equipment for people to use at home. When the gym opened back up we were working out in taped squares on the floor and in the alley between the garage and gym.
What do you remember about your first CrossFit experience?
I remember thinking “where are the mirrors?’ I was so used to big box gyms with mirrors everywhere – I truly did not understand the concept of working out and NOT watching yourself. I was a little intimidated by barbell work and not being hyperfocused on what I looked like while doing the movements, it really helped me focus on how the movements were supposed to FEEL like instead of how they were supposed to LOOK.
What do you most enjoy about being part of Light the Fire CrossFit family?
I really love being a part of the community – I am more of an introvert by nature but being around so many people with common interests is such a great experience. It can be hard to make friends as an adult, especially when you didn’t grow up in the city you live in – CrossFit has been the place where I feel like I fit and that feeling translates to CrossFits throughout the state/country. I have been to CrossFit in Brighton and Arizona and each time I walk in I feel like I have found my ‘group’.
What motivates you to come to the box?
I am so proud of the strength I have gained – previously working out has always been about achieving a specific body ‘ideal’ – I really did not know my bodies potential until I was nudged outside of my comfort (light weight/high reps) zone. Never in my life did I think I would be able to to a pullup, a deadlift without pain or wall walks. The incremental improvements keep me coming back.
What is you most recent PR/biggest accomplishment? PULLUPS!!! I can do multiple pullups in a row!! Again – never in my life did I think that would be a possibility.
What is your favorite wod, lift, movement, or skill?
I love a long flow day that has a cardio element – cardio is my jam. I really love a rope climb or wall walk because I feel so dang strong when I do them.
What is your least favorite wod, lift, movement, or skill?
Hmmm…2 movements (buprees/pullups, squats/burpees etc.) wods are tough for me…I feel like my muscles get gassed and never get a chance to recover – 3 movements is the sweet spot for me and 4 movements is icing on the cake!
What is your current CrossFit goal?
I would like to branch out and get a little more involved in the CrossFit community – maybe with competitions? I’m going to try Grit and Grind thanks to Julia and Liz for the invite. I would also like to be firmly in the purple for the WODs – I will always do the rep scheme for purple but will sometimes scale the weight and I need to be pushing myself to do the heavier lifts, etc.
What would you tell a newbie or someone that has never done CrossFit?
Listen, I know there are some haters out there who say CrossFit is a ‘cult’ and you will get hurt and we cut corners on form, etc but my response to that is: CrossFit is a community that will actively try to make you better in all different aspects of life. I know that sounds cheesy but this community encourages good sportsmanship, a positive attitude and profound support when things get tough. The workouts are almost like an added bonus. You will find a crew here that roots for you and supports you in whatever aspect of life you choose to reveal to them.
Have you had a life changing experience since starting CrossFit?
Nothing life changing but I have had some health challenges since starting CrossFit and each time members of Light the Fire have reached out to see if things are okay and when I’ll be able to come back to the gym.
How has CrossFit affected your life outside of the box?
It has literally become what my day revolves around. If I can get a workout in before work I approach work with the attitude that the hardest part of my day is done and I can handle anything work throws at me. I am so much more adept at handling challenges when I have left it all out on the floor at CrossFit.
