1. How did you find CrossFit?
I started business school last year and didn’t know anybody. Inevitably since it was September, the whole “What did you do in the summer?” came up. I mentioned I did p90x that summer, and my friend had done Crossfit and asked me if I heard about it before because he and another buddy had does it and it had some parallels. Way later I actually found out that that his friend was actually Mehul! But I digress. I checked out the main site after he told me and forgot about it since school was in overdrive for an entire year. A few months ago I was looking to get back into shape again after classes were finished, and my friend Gargi said I should totally try it out since she said I would like it. The first WOD I did was the beach one at Witty’s Lagoon. Beach + Workout + Intensity = Awesome. I then tried a gym WOD since I wasn’t so sure yet, and did some push presses, jerks etc for the first time ever. There was so much to learn and it was fun! I was totally sold after that.
2. What is your favourite CrossFit Exercise or WOD?
I like the ones that make me go “Really…? You’re asking me to do this? ” the most, as there’s a huge sense of accomplishment after. I really like most of them though. Some that really stuck out to me was Team Trevor, Joshie, Nasty Girls and Nicole.
3. How long have you been CrossFitting for?
End of August 2009
4. What do you do for a living?
Right now I’m a 4th year student pursuing a Bachelor of commerce degree at the University of Victoria. For a ‘living’, I am on coop doing sales and marketing a firm called Advanced Ecommerce Research Systems (AERS), and freelance photography (weddings, events, portraits). Although not paid, but pretty much a fulltime commitment, I also serve as Vice President Internal for the Commerce Students’ Society at UVic Business – providing social, networking and academic opportunities/events for over 500+ business students at the faculty.
5. What are your hobbies?
Food, coffee, photography, cooking, lots of music, reading and movies. Sipping lattes and beers with friends. I attempt to play guitar, learning some ballroom dancing right now. I played a lot of Go (an ancient Chinese strategic board game), and did a lot of martial arts (Wing Chun). I find myself loving the outdoors more and more, biking, running, kayaking, hiking. Pretty much finding new hobbies is a hobby of mine. And obviously… CrossFit!
6. What are your goals?
Where to start? I would like to do a sprint distance Triathlon in the next year or two. That means I have to really get better at running, and learn to swim competently. I’d like to be able to do all the ‘skills’ on www.beastskills.com. Do handstand pushups, the flag, be able to do a muscle up. Run a sub 25 min 5km. Since I’m just writing down random things, if it is ever possible – front/side splits, some flips and Iron Cross. That would be pretty cool.
7. Why do you CrossFit?
It’s functional, it changes everyday (don’t need to plan workouts, and not monotonous), and it is incredibly intense. I love that the WOD’s are generally short and don’t need you to stay 1-2 hours at the gym. The community. It is like having 5-15 gym buddies working out with you all the time. The people who come are great and interesting. And the coaches are completely fantastic individuals. It’s competitive, and it’s FUN. I like that the WOD’s push my limits physically and mentally. I look forward to going whenever I can.
8. Any advice for future CrossFitters?
You don’t know until you go. Just do it. See if it works for you. Don’t be afraid. You are more capable than you think you are. Give it a try, because it might be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.
Today’s Workout:
Buy In – 3 rounds not for time of: 10 KB swings, 10 ring pushups, 10 knees to elbows (or 20 situps)
WOD – “Squat Foundations”
Coach will lead everyone in technique with a dowel and then ramp up the weight in each successive set on the following exercises:
- Overhead Squat 3 x 10 reps
- Front Squats 3 x 8 reps
- Back Squats 3 x 6 reps
Cash Out – 50 pullups for time (zone 3 – 40; zone 2 – 30; zone 1 – 20)
