December Athlete of the Month || Rola Hassan!!
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 2023 December Athlete of the Month is Rola Hassan! Rola joined CFA in May of 2023, and her consistent effort over the last several months hasn’t gone unnoticed. Rola devotes 2 hours a day, 5 days a week to working out. She’ll do her accessory programming before class and then still participate full out in noon class. She strives to make improvements in her technique and strength and has always been very coachable. We are excited to see her continued improvements, and we’re proud to call her our December AOM! What a great way to close out 2023! Congratulations Rola, and thank you for letting us share in your journey!
State your Name and/or Nickname please:
Rola
Words to live by?
And you Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied.
What is your fitness background?
I started hitting the gym in 2014.
I used to do spinning, pilates, aerobics, boot camp, and trampoline “unbound”.
How long have you been CrossFitting?
I started crossfitting in 2017
Take us back to your first day of CrossFit… How did you feel? How do you compare it to workouts today?
Although I had an idea about CrossFit, I did not expect it to be that challenging.
I did not even know that despite hitting the gym daily for years I was not even able to do a good squat or pushups!
What’s your favorite part of CrossFit Austin?
The friendliness of the coaching team!
Current Training Goals/PRs?
My goal is to get getter at “double unders” and to achieve a new PR in deadlifts and back squats.
What advice do you have for folks just starting out in CrossFit?
CrossFit is challenging. Don’t be discouraged! Keep pushing yourself to achieve your training objectives! And once you hit your training target you will get this sense of satisfaction and fulfillment of hard work
How do you balance staying focused in your training when life gets busy?
I block 2 hours of my schedule daily for training! Hitting the gym daily is a must!
What is your cheat meal go-to?
I don’t have a cheat meal!
However, sometimes I crave for traditional Arabic sweets!
How do you use your fitness outside of the gym?
Exercising daily helps me stay focused! Exercising is one of the most effective ways to improve mental health.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your fitness journey?
The biggest challenges I faced in my fitness journey are related to adopting a new lifestyle. I had to be committed to a daily training schedule and adjust my diet… not eating a pizza is not easy!
Tell us about a moment you felt most proud of yourself during a workout.
I used to be scared of handstands… it was a challenge for me since I was a child! Now I enjoy doing handstands!
If you could create a WOD and name it for yourself, what would it be?
I would create a Wod called Naim (inspired by the name of my son).
The workout would be:
13 (for my son’s age) rounds of
11 (for my son’s birth month) weighted sit ups
5 (for my son’s birthday) deadlifts
Directly into
2010m (for my son’s birth year) row
What keeps you going on the days you don’t feel like it?
Dedication
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit?
I am into fashion, cooking, and reading.
Tell us something we don’t know about you…
I am a holder of a master’s degree in Arabic philosophy
Leave the fine folks of CrossFit Austin with some parting words…
I moved recently to Austin, and you made me feel home again❤️