1. What brought you to CrossFit?
After years of mainly running, swimming, biking and playing sports for fitness, I decided I needed more focused strength training. For a few years worked with a personal trainer once a week and did workouts on my own at the gym. I was getting bored and my workouts were feeling stagnant and limited, so I decided to give Crossfit a try.

2. What was your first impression?  How has it changed?
My first impression was that maybe it was going to be too hard or too painful for me to stick with it! I was worried that I would never be able to master the lifts or the gymnastics movements. Over time I have learned that with good coaching, persistent effort and a supportive community at the gym I am able to do things I never thought possible.

3. What was your first bright spot (win/positive experience)?
My first bright spot was probably the first time I completed the workout called “Fight Gone Bad”. I had heard about the workout from some of the members who had been doing Crossfit for longer and I knew I was in for some pain. When I finished the workout, I remember feeling absolutely exhausted but happy in knowing I could actually do such an intense workout and survive. Another bright moment early on was when I first learned how to do consecutive double unders. I struggled with this skill for quite a while and then one day coach Wodfather gave me a simple coaching tip to try and it clicked.

4. What are you working on now?
I continue to be challenged most by the gymnastics movements and I need to keep working on these. I am also focused on trying to improve my cardio capacity getting it back to where it was when I was running a lot. I have really been enjoying coach Shades Athletics classes in the past few months as they have been helping me work on my cardio and strength.

5. What’s your favourite Empower memory so far?
I don’t know if I have one favourite memory but I would say my favourite thing about Crossfit Empower is the community of people that are the members and coaches. There is always lots of fun and laughter at the gym whether it is before during or after a class or at one of the many special events like the open or the 12 days of Christmas. This is what I enjoy the most and what I think makes Crossfit Empower a special place.