Genevieve

Happy Friday CFA!,

As many of you know, I tend to write about things that are more directly applicable within the walls of the gym. I write and post about this, but in individual conversations we are able to go a little further into what overall health means to me. Not just how to perform a lift properly or what you should/ should not eat. Find balance. Challenge yourself. Appreciating said challenge and attacking it with a win/win mindset can help us grow. We may not win them all, but with this mindset…even a “loss” can be viewed as a “win” if we contemplate and learn from the “loss”.

Here lately, your Coaches at CFA have been studying up on psychology and communication. We want to be able to listen and understand more effectively so that we can be more precise in communicating with you. Communicating …any and all knowledge we accumulate through continued education to make your experience here an experience of progress and growth. Physical. Mental. Emotional. Social. Growth.

The article below is something I stumbled across the other day in search of a different paper. However, I recently had a conversation with someone who had been in a rut. This hit home for me within the context of that conversation, but can be interpreted/applied by all in some form or fashion.

FIXED VS. GROWTH

A couple of highlights that stood out in this article that I see/ hear reflected in people’s daily actions and responses;

1. Your intelligence and personality can be developed/sharpened, they are not just  “immutably ingrained traits”
2. There is a piece in the article that speaks about “deliberate practice”.  In the gym, we want to reinforce great form with deliberate practice each day. But outside the gym, we need to employ deliberate practice in other areas of our lives to ensure continued growth and avoid stagnation.

This weekend, I challenge you to get outside. Be still. Be quiet and think.

What area of your life can you grow?

-Coach Tim

State your Name and/or Nickname please:
Liz

Words to live by?
“That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” – Nietzsche

What is your fitness background?
I’ve played volleyball since I can remember. It pretty much ran my life for about 10 years all the way through college, and I loved it. After that, I dabbled in the general gym arena, but it never much caught on. I love to hike and be out doors.

How long have you been CrossFitting?
2.5 years. How time flies!

Take us back to your first day of CrossFit… How did you feel? How do you compare it to workouts today?
I don’t remember the first day as much as I do the introduction class. I started when I still lived in California, so I wasn’t at CFA yet. I remember I felt pretty confident, definitely wanted to get stronger, and slightly intimidated…okay very intimidated. Everything was going along relatively smoothly until I had to do a clean. Let’s just say the execution was….awkward. Since then, I like to think things have gotten a little less awkward – although there are moments. Once I realized the only person I was competing with was myself, I was able to get a lot more comfortable with the workouts.

What’s your favorite part of CrossFit Austin?
My favorite part of Crossfit Austin is the people. From the amazing coaching staff to the evening workout crew. They’re the best!

Current Training Goals/PRs?Working out 5 days a week. Most of it’s done with Crossfit, but I make sure to squeeze in a run or a hike, as well. I travel a lot for work so between that and a desk job, staying active when I can is very important.

What advice do you have for folks just starting out in CrossFit?
Technique, technique, technique. If you are not comfortable with the movement, go a little lighter with the weights – even too light. There is plenty of time to build up. And listen to your body, sometimes it just says ‘no’ or ‘I’m a little slower today’. It doesn’t mean don’t go out there and give it your all, just be mindful when you do it.

What is your cheat meal go to?
Would you like the full list or should I just seem like a normal person and name one thing? Let’s go with chocolate…it’s the root of all my weaknesses anyway. 🙂

Tell us about a moment you felt most proud of yourself during a workout.
I don’t have one moment. I have a lot of moments, which is why I think Crossfit is awesome. The more you work at it the more you succeed and achieve those wins, even the little ones. It’s an amazing feeling and it’s why I keep coming back for more!

If you could create a WOD and name it for yourself, what would it be?

Tall Person WOD
500 meter row
40 wall balls
500 meter row
20 wall balls
500 meter row
10 wall balls

What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit?

I love hiking and exploring new places.

Tell us something we don’t know about you…
I have no boundaries when it comes to my animals. I share my breakfast, lunch and dinner with them. They hang out with me all day in my office. They take over the bed at night. And they come with me pretty much everywhere.

Longhorns or Aggies?
Ummmmmm baseball? SF Giants all the way.

Leave the fine folks of CrossFit Austin with some parting words…
Thank you to everyone for making CFA an amazing and fun place to sweat it out!

We will be closed on Monday, September 5th for Labor Day. Regular classes will resume on Tuesday. Enjoy your weekend!