Name: Rhonda T
Age: 43
Occupation: Human Recourses for Star Nursery and I have a small business, Mr. Gaslight, that services gas powered street lights.
Single/married/family? Happily Married and we have a super dog named Speckles
Favorite activity outside of CrossFit? I enjoy attending rodeos, watching most sports, and dancing with my husband (He sure knows how to swing me around).
Favorite workout music? I love workout music that has a hard hitting beat. Anything too slow doesn’t work for me.
Do you or did you play any sports? I was never very active growing up, but I’ve always like tennis, even if I wasn’t very good at it.
How long have you been crossfitting? I started CrossFit in September of 2014. It has been a very challenging year.
How many times a week do you crossfit? I do crossfit 3 days a week and yoga 1 or 2 times per week. I have found adding yoga has helped me in the WOD.
Do you follow paleo or zone? Diet is a very hard thing for me to say: let alone do. At one time I was over 190 pounds and had tried every diet under the sun. After struggling with being overweight and unhealthy, I found what works best for me is. I need to start listening to how my body feels. I take special note on when I feel satisfied and try not to over stuff myself. I also found when I deprive myself of anything I get very unhappy and grumpy. So I won’t do that anymore, but I make educated choices. If I want that chocolate there will be a consequence to that incredible bite. Food can be a good and bad drug, so I treat it like that.
Why did you start training at SCCF? I started training at SCCF because it was across the street from my office, but that is not why I stayed. The reasons are easy, the coaches and members are amazing people, the workouts can make you cry, but after you finish the feeling of accomplishment is overwhelming. This place has made me believe I can do thing and some things I would have never tried
Favorite movement? Kettlebell Swings – It is the one movement that makes me feel that I know what I am doing.
Favorite workout? My favorite workouts are the ones that make me fall onto the floor from exhaustion, but I don’t feel that way until I catch my breath.
Least favorite movement? That is a toss-up. Burpees cause me to get dizzy and Box Jump because I don’t want to hurt my ankle.
Who is your favorite trainer? I can’t answer that… But you know who you are… wink wink!
What is something people would be surprised to know about you? I always wanted to be a singer, like Madonna or Dolly Parton, I know strange examples, but I love country and pop music. Too bad I can’t sing at all, even when I whistle the dog starts howl.
How has crossfit improved your life? SCCF has helped me in many ways; first my physical appearance has changed. I have dropped 4 sizes and lost over 30 pounds. My doctor has asked me what I have been doing because my blood work looks amazing and my blood pressure has lowered. I have more energy and am stronger than ever. I suffered an ankle injury a few years ago, after surgery and many hours of physical therapy I was left with an ankle with very little mobility. After my first class I thought to myself I will never be able to continue this type of exercise because so many of the movement require you to squat. I could not do a proper squat, but after one year, I have made huge progress. Even though my squat still needs work, the mobility has increased and I don’t have the same amount of pain as I did before joining SCCF. I have stopped using my ankle as an excuse not to try something. One year ago I would not do any box jumps and now I am confident with 20 inch box jumps. Baby steps!
What or who inspires you the most? Many people inspire me, but from that list they all have a few things in common. They all are willing to step outside of the box, and stand out for what they believe in. I admire common folks who give from the heart and don’t want anything in return. People who live like this make me want to be a better person.
Biggest achievement since you started/ what you are most proud of? I will never forget the day I did my first kipping handstand push-up. Coach Billy had us line up to practice and when it was my turn I told Billy, “I can’t do that!” to which he responded, “ I will talk you through it.” So I gave it a go… Billy slowly told me what to do and a second later I was in the handstand position. If my eyes could have come out of my face they would have, I never thought I would be able to do that movement and I felt that the others around me were just as excited as I was. SCCF is a community that is encouraging, generous, and kindhearted!
What are your fitness goals for this year? I want to be able to do kipping pull-ups in the workout without using a band.
P.S. To anyone unsure if you are ready for the challenges of crossfit. (I was that person.) Set your insecurities aside and begin the journey for yourself. I am truly thankful I did. Hope to see you in the “Box”!