Maggie: I’m Proud of Myself. . I Complete Things and Kind of Feel Like a Bad Ass

Hometown:  Ashland, VA

Age: 27

Occupation:  Director of Marketing and Affiliate Relations

When did you first start CrossFitting: 

February 2015

When did you first start training at CrossFit Prelude: 

February 2015

Favorite WOD/Movement: 

I think my favorite WOD/Movement is anything that helps me get to my initial goal of losing 50 more lbs…burpees, running, wall balls…I despise them all but they’re the ones that make me feel like I’ve accomplished the most and burnt the most calories. 

Least Favorite WOD/Movement:

I don’t have a least favorite per say, they’re all uniquely developed to challenge the mentality and physicality of each individual. If I had to choose parallel shoot throughs are the absolute worst thing invented in the history of girls with big butts. 

Tell us about you sports; fitness; and/or life background:

I was raised as an athlete, my mom’s a gymnast and dancer, my father was a basketball guru and runner…Growing up I played fastpitch softball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, swam, played soccer, and was a gymnast/dancer…I played soccer, swam and did cross country all throughout high school at Varsity levels and received a scholarship to play soccer at a Division II school. John and I still play softball three times per week and tournaments on the weekends. 

What is your “Something Better” that you hope to achieve with CrossFit Prelude:

I used to be athletic, I always had broader shoulders, strength, power and was proud of my size and shape…I’ve lost touch with what fitness and health was…I want to be back to where I’m healthy, happy, and physically sound. In November, I suffered a mini stroke due to the fact I was 282 lbs at age 27…They said my son could lose his mother, to me that’s rock bottom….I’ve successfully lost 50lbs since then and I want to get the other half off, toned and I’d love to be a machine, like I used to be. Someone my son can look up to…

How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD… what was it, and how did it feel:

My friend, saw me spending countless hours on the treadmill at Gold’s Gym…talked me into coming to one class on a Wed evening…our first workout was Pushups, Situps, and Burpees…I struggled soooooooo much…but I finished. That was my goal for that particular day, I felt like I was going to die but needed to finish…

What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CrossFit (before/after):

Up until I started CrossFit I lost about 30 something pounds but with the healthy nutritional lifestyle and workout structure of CrossFit Prelude, I’ve managed to lose 25+ pounds. Every class, I test my limits whether it be mental or physical—I’m stronger than I was 6 months ago. I have definition in my arms and legs…I’m faster in my sprints…I completed my first 5k without walking minus a huge hill of 150m. As more time passes, I’m proud of myself, I underestimate myself, I complete things and kind of feel like a badass 🙂 

What keeps you coming back.  What motivates and inspires you:

I like the competitiveness.  I like pushing myself to one day be able to do this or one day be able to beat the person next to me….I like lifting heavy things, I like seeing other people hit their goals. I like seeing athletes from all different backgrounds come together and struggle one day and then beast it the next….I like how everyone has their weaknesses and strengths…Some people are better runners than others, some are better at strength training…Every class I come to, I leave feeling better.

Please share with us any favorite CrossFit Prelude moments:

I have a few…The first one that comes to mind was when I came to my first official class and was immediately welcomed by everyone, all different fitness levels, and we came together to do one thing…better ourselves…it made me feel like I was a part of a miniature little family.

Another instance was John and my first workout together.  We’re obviously on completely different fitness levels, but to see him struggle with some things made us feel more connected as people who were trying to gain different things.

Last, this is more of a personal goal, when I completed the Paleo challenge and had so many people ask me if I “cheated” and just didn’t count the numbers….I knew that I was in fact not lying when I said no, I didn’t cheat. It made me feel like I had control of something and I chose to monitor my eating habits…which ultimately is what got me in my “situation” in the first place….

Any advice for people just getting started:

Do not be scared….I was petrified of being overworked, not trained properly, not cared about, shoved to the back of the class…In no way shape or form did any of that ever happen, I’ve had everyone reach out to lend advice, ask my story, try to identify with me…Remember NO ONE is self satisfied they’re always trying to get something better…some just start a little further back than others…Individually I’ve learned from everyone there…The coaches have taught me patience, Julie has taught me persistence, Larris has taught me that it is going to suck, Danielle has taught me to focus, Farley has taught me that I’m underestimating myself if I don’t push harder, Stoney has taught me that I need a boxer in my life 🙂 🙂 :-).

PS: I’ve met tons of great people, I’m in love with Crossfit, I study it, I watch YouTube videos, I want to do it more and more each time I leave class…

Thank ya’ll so much for making me feel welcome each time I walk through those doors 🙂