July Athlete of the Month || Ally Salcido!
Our July Athlete of the Month is Ally Salcido! Ally came to us in the fall of 2017 and we’re so glad she did! She always has a big smile on her face and a friendly “hello!” Ally bounces around in class times a bit due to her busy schedule as a nurse (saving lives!!), but she’s mostly an evening gal. No matter what time she’s here, you’ll see her working hard and pushing herself to be better every day. Ally exemplifies so many of the qualities we look for in an AOM and has found a place both in our hearts and in our community. Ally, the CFA Team is proud to honor you as our July 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:
So my real name is Allyson, but I am sooo not an Allyson, I usually just go by Ally.
The only nick name that anyone has every called me in recent years is Ally Bunz
Words to live by?
The Just shall live by his faith.
What is your fitness background?
In high school I played almost all the sports my little school had to offer. Volleyball, basketball, track, and softball. In college I played intramural sports like co-Ed and woman’s flag football ,club volleyball, and softball.
How long have you been CrossFitting?
I’ve been Crossfitting for 5 years now. I took a year break when I moved to Austin and then started back up here at Crossfit Austin thanks to Kristy Marsillo.
Take us back to your first day of CrossFit… How did you feel? How do you compare it to workouts today?
So I only went because my friend wanted me to go try out classes with her. I had never heard of Crossfit, but I remember the bar being super heavy and it was something super complicated like thrusters or something. I knew I was going to like Crossfit after that first workout because I’m so competitive. Oddly enough, I ended up sticking with it longer than my friend did. Compared to today’s workouts I’m not nearly as weak as I once was. I’ve grown to learn how to love not just the workouts, but the community behind it all. 
What’s your favorite part of CrossFit Austin?
My favorite part of Crossfit Austin is how friendly all the coaches are. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to tell if a coach is having a bad day, they always have a good attitude. I appreciate them being super friendly towards me, even though I’m always half asleep when I show up to the gym. Haha
Current Training Goals/PRs?
My current training goal is just to try and be as consistent as I can by staying active wether it’s being at the gym or going for a run. Also I had a lot of PRs before I took a year break from CrossFit so I want to be able to hit those PRs or even better.
What advice do you have for folks just starting out in CrossFit?
My advice for anyone is to not be afraid to just walk into the gym and try a class out. Take a friend and you WILL be sore, but embrace it. I always tell everyone it’s 100% worth it too if you want to see more muscle tone on your body.
What is your cheat meal go to? 
Food is life and I feel like I have many cheat meals but I can always do a bomb burger and fries with a Dr. Pepper
How do you use your fitness outside of the gym?
I’m always on my feet at work; and occasionally lifting patients up in their bed or out of wheel chairs.
Tell us about a moment you felt most proud of yourself during a workout.
Finishing my first CrossFit competition back in 2016. I felt the most proud of myself for finishing all the workouts. There was a squat clean ladder as one of the strength workouts and I completed the ladder after not being able to during practice, so that was really cool and I was pretty pumped/proud of that.
If you could create a WOD and name it for yourself, what would it be?
Name: Night nurse life
15 AMRAP
50 double unders
25 situps
15 power cleans
Then as Cash out: a shower and a nap
What keeps you going on the days you don’t feel like it?
My boyfriend usually pushes me to go to the gym whenever I’m feeling super tired or lazy and I appreciate him for that. My workout environment reminds me on a daily basis how important it is to take care of yourself, your body, and enjoy life like there is no tomorrow.
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit?
Hmmm outside of Crossfit, I love to go dancing with my friends. Music is life so I usually want to break out and dance but I contain myself if there is music playing. I like to listen to Podcasts, Hanging out with my boyfriend, family, and friends. Oh and eating good food, Haha I love trying out new restaurants.
Tell us something we don’t know about you…
I whistle almost all the time, especially if i can’t hit a high pitch in a song by singing I just whistle it out. Haha
Leave the fine folks of CrossFit Austin with some parting words…
You guy are awesome! Keep up on grinding I’ll see y’all at the gym