Congratulations to our Member of the Month for December – Tina E!

In the real world Tina has a job that’s near and dear to our hearts; She takes care of our Vets as a pharmacist at the VA here in Charleston.  Unfortunately, she has a firsthand view of the damage chronic disease causes in people’s lives, and she’s proselytizing the gospel of lifestyle change and prevention right along side us to the Vets she looks over.  In the gym Tina has an insatiable appetite for learning new things, and sharing what she’s learned outside the gym with our coaches and athletes.  She can often be found nerding out with Coach Jay (they’re both closet nerds for sure) about the healthcare system, new medications, anatomy and physiology, and a host of other things that only 2 health professionals could enjoy talking about.

1. What brought you to CrossFit in the first place?
Right answer: After retiring from playing and coaching softball, I craved that competition and team work I had my whole life from team sports. I also just accepted a job here in Charleston where I didn’t know anyone outside of work. I knew I wanted to be fit, have fun and push myself and CrossFit really turned out to be the perfect prescription for my health goals (see what I did there? haha).

Real answer: I had a severe case of FOMO.  Everyone I knew that did Crossfit LOVED IT and so I had to get in on the action.

2. What was your first impression? How has that changed?
I started at another gym with my friend and I was terrified the first time I went to class. I’ll never forget it – I literally couldn’t do one double under (An exercise done with a Jump Rope). Everyone cheered me on and I instantly fell in love with the challenge CrossFit presented. I still can’t do double unders, but I’m no longer terrified to go to class.. unless there’s running.

3. What was your first “bright spot”?
I participated in the CrossFit Open (an annual CF competition) after doing Crossfit consistently for like 2 months. I was traveling one weekend and had to drop in at a gym back home in Pittsburgh to do 16.1 (a workout during the CF open).  I didn’t do as well as I wanted to in the workout, but I was so proud of myself for going somewhere I didn’t know a single person to do something I knew I wasn’t good at. I’m normally a shy introvert, but I kept my commitment to myself to do the Open even if it meant stepping out of my comfort zone.

4. What are you working on now?
Nutrition and active rest days

5. What’s your favorite Locomotion memory?”
Workout for Wine was so awesome! I loved all the girl power and it was such a fun night to see new and old friends!

Thanks Tina! Are you interested in becoming one of Tina’s friends in the gym? Book a No Sweat Intro to get started!