If you missed the CFA Holiday/7th Anniversary Party, you might not have heard about our 2015 Push Up Man and Push Up Woman of the Year! We offer our sincerest congratulations to Mer O’Brien & Jose Gonzalez for their outstanding actions that lead to being the recipients of our Push Up Man and Push Up Woman of the Year awards. We are honored to present to you look into the lives of these two special folks.
“The Push-up Man and Woman of the Year exemplify everything that we love about our athletes, our community, and the human spirit. Not only do these people walk through the doors of CFA day in and day out, and work hard to improve themselves; they go out of their way to lift up everyone around them. They make their friends and families a priority over themselves. They lead and encourage by words, actions, and example. They represent the burning spirit of what makes our little South Austin gym unique and special. We at CrossFit Austin can humbly bestow no greater honor and we give our utmost heartfelt thanks that you both have chosen to make our gym, business, family, and lives a better place!”
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When did you join the CFA community?
So I joined about back in 2013
What is one of your most memorable moments from your early days at CFA? Any ‘newbie’ stories you’d like to share?
So, My most memorable moment was feeling incredibly sore after my first week! Back when my buddy Ed was at CFA I would complain to him how much my body hurt haha. So, my rookie mistake was when I was doing some box jumps, and I was an idiot thinking i didn’t need to reset myself before my next jump, and just like a rookie I totally missed my jump and
ripped my shins! Erica was coaching and saw me walking away, and she thought I was just quitting the workout, and started calling me out for it, but then she saw my shins, and her attitude changed lol, just look at her awesome tape job!
What is it about CFA that you love or that is different from other sports/programs you’ve tried?
I love the people! if it wasn’t for every one there then I wouldn’t be waking up early each day! and I don’t have to be at work till 1245pm! So, that 630 am crew are some awesome people, but it must also be Mr. T’s jokes haha. There’s nothing better than CFA, or at least that’s how i feel. I use to run, like a lot! or I would go to Golds gym or planet fitness, which are horrible! But the programming at CFA always challenges and pushes me to do better. Working out at those other places didn’t give me the motive to do better, and since I really didn’t know what I was doing; it got old real fast.
What advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time to when you first started CrossFit?
I would of told myself to get oly shoes! lol it took me 2 years to finally buy some.
How did you create long term fitness/CrossFit success for yourself?
Well, at first it was just trying to beat Ed in everything lol, but now its because I look back at where I was and how I never wanna be there again, and how i dont wanna be stuck in a certain lifestyle. So to overcome the urge to drink when I’m stressed, or bored and just wanna eat something; I look at the workout and set a goal for myself, and that helps me keep away from bad habits.
What keeps you motivated? What makes you come in and train on days when you don’t want to?
You mean what keeps me coming 6 days a week!! lol, its the people! It just seems a bit better knowing im not the only one who hates life after Fran, or whatever crazy workout Wes likes to put together!
Recent PRs?
One of my recent PRs was during pre-test week when i hit 345lbs! on my deadlift!!!
Current training goals?
Is to eat and drink healthy after the holidays, and do another competition! O and to improve my form, so Erica can stop yelling at me in Oly class lol
Tell us about an obstacle you have had to work through in your training. How did you work through it?
I always have to deal with negative thoughts on I can’t do this or I can’t do that. I’m probably my own worst critic, but I always shut that out by pushing myself harder, and showing up.
What does the Push Up Man title mean to you?
It really means a lot to me! This is honestly my first trophy, and it helps remind me that changing my life 10 years ago was totally worth it!
Thoughts upon winning the title?
I’m still in shock that I was picked, and when hearing Wes give the speech about the reward, I kept thinking, “Man I should be nicer to people, and to stop complaining about the workouts!”
How will you use your new found Push Up Man glory?
I’ll use it as a reminder that all the sweat, blood, and tears was worth every second, and as a way for me to help those who might be in that same spot that I was in, and to let them know they can do anything if they set their mind to it.
What is your cheat meal go to?
Pizza and a 6 pack of lonestar!
Leave the fine folks of CFA with some parting wisdom.
Thanks again to all the coaches and members who has helped me push myself everyday! and for just being awesome people!
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When did you join the CFA community?
I joined CFA on October 5, 2011.
What is one of your most memorable moments from your early days at CFA? Any ‘newbie’ stories you’d like to share?
I loved the competition I did with LV in which we dressed up like Olivia Newton John on psychedelics. I remember that I had walking pneumonia during that event and had to lie down in the parking lot afterwards for something like twenty minutes. But I recall there was a great, fun energy to that event.
As a Newbie, I had the hardest time getting straight the difference between a snatch grip and a clean grip – not sure why. Oh, and there was the one and only time I wore makeup/mascara to the gym. Apparently it was not sweat-proof and ended up all over my face, black lines streaming down, and no one told me! When I got home, my husband thought I had bruises on my face, and that I had gotten beaten up at the gym.
What is it about CFA that you love or that is different from other sports/programs you’ve tried?
There is vulnerability inherent in doing/trying things outside of one’s comfort zone, and being privy to that vulnerability in myself and in others is something I find very touching, and feel very privileged to experience.
What advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time to when you first started CrossFit?
I wish I had been able to pay attention to my own work and my own progress, and to not compare myself to others in the gym. It’s okay to run the slowest mile — we all have our strengths. I now find it most useful to look at struggles as motivators.
How did you create long term fitness/CrossFit success for yourself?
I’ve always loved sports and exercise, but as far as Crossfit success, I think it’s about making it a habit to show up.
What keeps you motivated? What makes you come in and train on days when you don’t want to?
I love being with the CFA community, so knowing that I will get to spend time with people I enjoy makes coming to the gym easy. I also really like challenges, so the fact that every workout offers that opportunity keeps me motivated to try harder than the day before (most of the time 🙂 ).
Huh? When are you going to start being open on Sundays?
Recent PRs?
I’m starting to be able to string together TTB. (I found my bicycle 😉 )
Current training goals?
I have a few things, but mostly I’d like to lose the red band once and for all, and push harder during runs.
Tell us about an obstacle you have had to work through in your training. How did you work through it?
I could not get double unders for the longest time. I would come into open gym every week and work and work and all I’d end up with were red marks on my legs. Finally, I was able to hold my arms and wrists properly, and not try to hurdle a horse on every jump. Now I really love doing double unders. Mostly the secret for me to DU’s is to relax and enjoy them.
What does the Push Up Man title mean to you?
The Push Up Woman title means the golden rule wins. I always tell my kids that kindness will take them a long way. And keeping a positive attitude is key.
In order to really answer this question I would have to open my heart and dump it out in front of you. I feel this honor very deeply. I am in awe of the people at CFA, and to be singled out is incredibly humbling. To stand beside Jose, whom I admire so much as an athlete and as a kind and gracious person, is the most humbling part of all.
Honestly, it’s hard to use any sort of glory that I still can’t quite believe exists! This award makes me know that the tougher times were worth it – the times I would cry from frustration early on after workouts, or those times I felt I couldn’t do one more squat clean. But I have to say, I will always hate Turkish getups and will continue to have the urge to sandbag those reps whenever possible.
What is your cheat meal go to?
I love warm bread and butter.
Leave the fine folks of CFA with some parting wisdom.
I think wisdom comes from curiosity. I can’t wait to find out what’s in store tomorrow, and the next day, and on and on. Thank you so much to the entire Crossfit Austin family for making my cheeks hurt from smiling – you guys are quite bunch.
