Upper East Side Athlete of the Month
Christy Listenbee
CrossFit Upper East Side or Columbus Circle?
Upper East Side. Although, I switch it up and participate at the Columbus Circle box every once in awhile.
How/when did you get involved in CrossFit?
I took the free intro class back in October of 2012, but I didn’t join EVF until February 2016! 4 years later! Honestly, I really wanted to join in 2012, but I couldn’t commit financially. By 2016, I was so fed up with NYSC that I was ready for a change! All I can think about now is how much better I’d be at CrossFit if I’d committed in 2012! Oh well …
Do you remember your first workout? How was it?
It was a hero WOD on a Sunday morning with Alicia. I felt like I was gonna die, but she was great and helped push me through it.
What were your goals when you first started? How have they changed?
When I first started, I really didn’t have any clear goals. I was just looking for more challenging workouts and was so bored with the regular neighborhood gyms. Now, I have clear goals that focus on getting stronger and more proficient in all movements.
How have you grown in that time — health, body, mind, etc.?
I’ve definitely become a better version of myself. I have a very stressful job as a hospital administrator and CrossFit helps me escape and puts my life back into perspective. I was also a cardio junkie before and only eating about 1,600 calories a day. I learned quickly about eating to perform and fueling my body properly. And I can’t forget to mention the little muscles that I’ve grown.
What do you enjoy most about CrossFit?
I love that every workout challenges me to become better. And I obviously love the community at EVF!
Favorite lift and WOD?
Overhead squat and almost all of the Saturday partner workouts. There’s just something about working together to finish a workout that really motivates me.
What about your least favorite?
Clean and jerks and Grace (because of all of the clean and jerks, obviously).
What motivates you?
I’m motivated most when I see someone do a weight, lift or skill that I can’t do! I’m still fairly new to CrossFit so I realize that this happens like 90 percent of the time, but it pushes me to become better.
Do you have any advice for new members?
Stick with it! I’m the kind of person that wants to be great at things instantly, but CrossFit doesn’t work like that. It takes practice and patience. Keep working at it!
What do you hope to achieve in the coming year?
Strict pull-ups and double unders!
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