April Athlete of the Month || Julia McAdams!!
Each month we spotlight a different CFA athlete who stands out and shows just how awesome they are. What is it that makes up an Athlete of the Month? It may not be the person that finishes the fastest, Rx’s every WOD, or gets a PR every time they walk in the gym. Although we love and celebrate when those things happen, the Athlete of the Month is made up of much more than physical ability. This person shows up, gives their best every time, and then gives a little more. They are hungry to learn and always ready to do the work. They support their fellow classmates and encourage them to reach their goals. This athlete embodies what we believe the CrossFit Austin Community should be about.
Our April Athlete of the Month is Julia McAdams! Julia found her place in our family very quickly! She’s always up for a good time and you can bet she’ll be the first to say hello at any of our social events! Julia is hungry for growth and the coaches certainly notice how hard she works in class! She is incredibly coachable and we’ve seen so much progress in her short time with us! Even in these uncertain times, she’s been consistently jumping in on our live classes and zoom socials! She has so many of the qualities that we look for in an athlete of the month! Julia, the CFA Team is proud to honor you as our April Athlete of the Month and as an awesome part of this team. Thanks for your all your hard work and we look forward to seeing all you accomplish in the years to come! Congratulations!
State your Name and/or Nickname please:
Julia- Juls- Julia Gulia- JMAC
Julia- Juls- Julia Gulia- JMAC
Words to live by?
Don’t tell me I can’t (it’s even tattooed on me)
Don’t tell me I can’t (it’s even tattooed on me)
What is your fitness background?
I grew up swimming competitively starting at age 6. I swam as a US National level swimmer though high school and went on to swim Division 3 in college. During my sophomore year I was doing terribly in classes and knew something had to give so at the end of the season I gave it up to focus on my degree. I didn’t do much working out for years, which put on some weight, until I went through a terrible breakup and my father suggested I get a personal trainer. That got me back into lifting and I ran my first 5k. I was hooked and that slowly became longer and longer races eventually I made the transition to triathlon relying on my swimming background. I had to stop for a little while to have hip arthroscopy, torn labrum and top of my femur shaved. When I recovered I started doing half ironmans- I have done 13. And somewhere in there did 2 marathons- and no I don’t intend to do any more marathons!
I grew up swimming competitively starting at age 6. I swam as a US National level swimmer though high school and went on to swim Division 3 in college. During my sophomore year I was doing terribly in classes and knew something had to give so at the end of the season I gave it up to focus on my degree. I didn’t do much working out for years, which put on some weight, until I went through a terrible breakup and my father suggested I get a personal trainer. That got me back into lifting and I ran my first 5k. I was hooked and that slowly became longer and longer races eventually I made the transition to triathlon relying on my swimming background. I had to stop for a little while to have hip arthroscopy, torn labrum and top of my femur shaved. When I recovered I started doing half ironmans- I have done 13. And somewhere in there did 2 marathons- and no I don’t intend to do any more marathons!
How long have you been CrossFitting?
I started Crossfitting when I moved to Austin in May last year.
I started Crossfitting when I moved to Austin in May last year.
Take us back to your first day of CrossFit… How did you feel? How do you compare it to workouts today?
Luckily I had been doing bootcamp workouts in Massachusetts for a few years. So it wasn’t totally foreign. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy the strength workouts and learning new skills.
Luckily I had been doing bootcamp workouts in Massachusetts for a few years. So it wasn’t totally foreign. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy the strength workouts and learning new skills.
What’s your favorite part of CrossFit Austin?
I love the community. The biggest thing I have missed in this whole COVID thing is not being face to face with everyone from the gym! It is really nice to have a group of people to hang out with and talk to that are not from work.
I love the community. The biggest thing I have missed in this whole COVID thing is not being face to face with everyone from the gym! It is really nice to have a group of people to hang out with and talk to that are not from work.
Current Training Goals/PRs?
I am considering a possible return to triathlon and maybe half ironmans. Simple answer is I just really want to be able to do a DAYEM pull up and double unders!
I am considering a possible return to triathlon and maybe half ironmans. Simple answer is I just really want to be able to do a DAYEM pull up and double unders!
What advice do you have for folks just starting out in CrossFit?
Enjoy it. Push yourself when you can. Listen to your body and know when to back off.
Enjoy it. Push yourself when you can. Listen to your body and know when to back off.
Things look a little different right now, how are you staying focused in your training and in your life during this time?
I am working hard to make sure I train almost as much as I would if everything was normal anywhere from 5-7 days a week. I had hoped to be a bit better about yoga daily but I’m trying. Its interesting to be doing these workouts on my balcony and in my living room. I have now mastered the wall kick up to handstand while being home!
I am working hard to make sure I train almost as much as I would if everything was normal anywhere from 5-7 days a week. I had hoped to be a bit better about yoga daily but I’m trying. Its interesting to be doing these workouts on my balcony and in my living room. I have now mastered the wall kick up to handstand while being home!
What is your cheat meal go to?
Chic-FIl-A, Gummy Candy, and lately Oreos
Chic-FIl-A, Gummy Candy, and lately Oreos
How do you use your fitness outside of the gym? 
I still run most weekends or ride by bike. Hikes with friends.
I still run most weekends or ride by bike. Hikes with friends.
Tell us about a moment you felt most proud of yourself during a workout.
If I am able to put that Rx next to it- they are still not all the time so its nice.
If I am able to put that Rx next to it- they are still not all the time so its nice.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your fitness journey?
Learning the lifts… and I am still learning
Learning the lifts… and I am still learning
If you could create a WOD and name it for yourself, what would it be?
DoubleD- 20 min AMRAP Partner Workout-
DoubleD- 20 min AMRAP Partner Workout-
While one partner 400m run
Other partner completes rounds of
12 air squats
10 Cleans
8 rows
6 push ups (pick up where your partner left off)
What keeps you going on the days you don’t feel like it?
I go at 530 not too much time to think about it. And the 530 coaches and crew keeps me coming!
I go at 530 not too much time to think about it. And the 530 coaches and crew keeps me coming!
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit?
Yoga, meditation, swimming, biking, running, hiking, movies, good meals, cooking, wine
Yoga, meditation, swimming, biking, running, hiking, movies, good meals, cooking, wine
Tell us something we don’t know about you…
I’m a certified Yoga Instructor and a Chemical Engineer for the Army (well I think a few of you know this)
I’m a certified Yoga Instructor and a Chemical Engineer for the Army (well I think a few of you know this)
Leave the fine folks of CrossFit Austin with some parting words…
Thank you all for being such a welcoming community for me when I moved here all by my self from Massachusetts! As they would say back home- WICKED PISSAH!
Thank you all for being such a welcoming community for me when I moved here all by my self from Massachusetts! As they would say back home- WICKED PISSAH!