MEMBER OF THE MONTH

A little about yourself: 
I am a digital marketer, in the engineering industry - a marketeer if you like. I am also married to a chemical engineer. We have two basset hounds, and two cats. My favorite hero workout is the DT.

Why do you work out?
I only ever went to the gym to lose weight. It is not something I enjoy, or something I have ever been good at. I use the equipment incorrectly and frankly have no idea what I am doing in a gym. I am one of those people who get a gym membership, but then I end up not going after month two. I guess I don't really have a why for working out and that is why I have always failed. Trying to lose 5 kilograms is not a why.

Here is my WHY for CrossFit. I do CrossFit because it is a way of life; a fitness and wellness journey. We moved away for two years and we couldn't do CrossFit anymore. It had a huge impact not only on my physical wellbeing, but also on my mental wellbeing. I really missed being part of a community, I missed the routine, I missed seeing progress and getting better at the things I thought were impossible. 

What do you love about CrossFit Pretoria?
We are so excited that we are now close enough to join CrossFit Pretoria.  Chad, Candice and Coenraad presented an Olympic lifting class when we were still at RTF, and we learned so much on the day. The coaches are incredible and I have learned so much from them already. CrossFit Pretoria is like moving into a new house, but one that becomes a home on the first day. The community is super friendly, open and inviting. I love the overall enthusiasm. I think it is very rare that people are so keen to participate in anything and everything, even Box Bingo. And I think these extra events / fun activities that people participate in outside of CrossFit does well to unite us even more. I love the way in which communication happens in the box, and the effort that goes into the makings of short box news clips. The facilities are great, large space, plenty of equipment, enough height for pull ups and double unders. 

Most importantly, the box has a strong ethos and set of values that I feel is really lived and embodied by the community. It forms the foundation for the culture at the box and it is beautiful. For me this box ticks all the boxes; it really has it all! 

Most memorable CrossFit Pretoria workout?
The workouts are all a blur. I am just trying to survive them at this stage. What did stand out for me though was my first workout. I was in a hurry to sanitise and pack up my weights and the coach came over and asked me to wait until everyone finishes before I pack up. I guess it is like getting up whilst the rest of your family is still busy with their dinner. I didn't think about how others might feel if I pack up and they are still busy with the workout, but now I wait and cheer others on first. This is what CrossFit is all about for me.