Upper East Side

How/when did you get involved in CrossFit?
My husband joined EVF three years ago. He realized CrossFit would appeal to my dormant psycho-competitive tendencies from being a collegiate athlete. When I graduated from Radiology school two years ago, he gave me an On-Ramp membership package as my graduation gift and, predictably, I was hooked.

Do you remember your first workout? How was it?
The first workout I did was Karen with Coach Nicole. I remember how my whole body was on fire afterwards, but I enjoyed embracing the pain and pushing myself to the limit.

What were your goals when you first started? How have they changed?
When I first started, our wedding was about 7 months away, so I wanted to get into tip top bridal shape. Now, I’m much more interested in improving my overall strength, conditioning, and techniques with all the different movements.

How have you grown in that time — health, body, mind, etc.?
The past two years have been very eventful in both wonderful and difficult ways. About two months after starting at EVF, I had surgery on my left knee and couldn’t work out for about four months. Coming back after that was initially frustrating as I struggled to improve my strength and endurance. Since then, however, I think I’ve become stronger physically and mentally than I was before knee surgery. CrossFit has helped me be more focused and dedicated to pursuing goals and more grateful for being able to work out when others are not able to. Also, I recently got kipping pull-ups, which has been a huge goal of mine, so that’s pretty exciting.

What do you enjoy most about CrossFit?
I enjoy the variety of the work outs, the guidance of coaches, and incentive to push yourself to be better. It can be hard to be motivated to work out on your own, but when you know you are going to a class with other people who are there to push themselves, it makes it easier to push yourself as well. Also, lifting heavy weights is fun!

Favorite lift and WOD?
While it’s my weakest technically, I really like snatch. For WOD, I really like Air Force and trying to get as many reps in before the burpees every minute.

What about your least favorite?
2K Row … it gives me flashbacks to erg testing at Notre Dame when I was on the crew team, with all the anxiety included.

What motivates you?
I enjoy being strong and want to continue to get stronger. I’m so lucky to be able to work out and do CrossFit, so I try to be the best I can be at doing that.

Do you have any advice for new members?
The best days to come are the days when it’s your least favorite or weakest movement. Sometimes people are scared to do things that they might not be good at or struggle with and then skip those days. But you shouldn’t! You’ll never get better at them if you don’t practice. Also, the coaches are so helpful and dedicated to helping you improve your technique and motivating you through work outs. Listen to them and don’t be afraid to ask them for specific help.

What do you hope to achieve in the coming year?
I’d love to continue improving my gymnastics, especially handstand push-ups. Now that I can do pull-ups, maybe I’ll even be able to do a muscle up by the end of next year. I mean, one can dream …