August 2023 | Elena McDonald & Tom Hood
How long have you been doing CrossFit?
Elena: A year & a half
Tom: A year & a half
What made you decide to try CrossFit?
E: I was frequently coming to Megan's boxing classes, but used the 6 week challenge as an opportunity to try out CrossFit.
T: A buddy of mine, Eddie Gady, and I were trying to find our next fitness challenge. We were both in pretty good shape but had never done CrossFit so we decided to give it a try. Both of us loved it and are still going strong.
What did you think after the first workout?
E: I loved it - it's been the athletic challenge I've been looking for since playing competitive sports.
T: I thought my cardio was pretty good but that first workout put me on my ass. Just what I needed.
What's your FAVORITE movement?
E: Snatches
T: My fitness friends would say it is the run. But I think it is the bar muscle up. It was a movement I couldn't do very well before CrossFit but now I am much better at it.
What's your LEAST favorite movement?
E: Thrusters (do people actually say anything other than thrusters???)
T: Overhead Squats can die a slow painful death.
Any advice for those just getting started on their fitness journey?
E: Don't get intimidated by all the lifts and all the percentages - no on has any clue what their max is for all those lifts when you start, mine still changes all the time!
T: Just show up. You have to make it a habit. Even if you don't want to workout one day & think you can only give 50%, just show up. Eventually, it gets easier & then you can't imagine your day without a workout in it. And it helps if you find a SO to workout with you.
Would you like to give any shout outs to other members or coaches?
E: Big shoutout to the 6am regulars! Also to Taylor & Jenna for all the genuine help & coaching they consistently give in the very early hours of the morning!
T: My girlfriend Elena. She will quite literally not let me skip a day & mocks me mercilessly when I don't give 110%. And all of the coaches have been fantastic but Taylor, Jenna and Rachel have been particularly helpful for me working on my lifting form. Thank you Coaches.