Tell us a little about you: Where are you from? What do you do for work, hobbies, downtime, etc.?
I was born and raised in Missoula, graduated from U of M, and moved to Seattle. While in Seattle I worked in events and then for a business consulting firm, spending most of my days at Microsoft.
I met my husband Kyle; we traveled a lot and then had three little girls. After 13 years in Seattle, we decided to move back to Missoula to raise our kids.
We moved, built a house and shortly thereafter had a baby boy. Phew!! It’s been a whirlwind and continues to be.
Now, I’m at home with four kids ages 8 to 1. It’s crazy, it’s fun and most days I feel completely insane. We keep very active with various types of outdoor recreation, kid activities/sports and as much play as we can get!
Tell us about your sports & fitness background:
I grew up in an active family with three older brothers and played various sports. Later in life, I became a runner and continued to play intermural basketball. I have always hated working out at gyms and prefer to be outside as much as possible.
When did you first start training at CrossFit Missoula?
I started training at CrossFit Missoula in November of 2015, just over a year ago. I started a week before Thanksgiving, the perfect time to start a new fitness regimen.
What brought you to CrossFit Missoula?
Stephanie Lambert brought me to CrossFit Missoula. I had just recovered from baby #4 and knew that I needed to do something new physically.
My knees started hurting from running, and my lower back had issues from multiple pregnancies. I didn’t have my Seattle basketball league and I knew I wasn’t going to last at a typical gym.
I had no idea what CrossFit was, had never heard of it. I was desperate to feel fit again, get mental health back, and get out of the house. Stephanie posted something on Facebook about trying CrossFit and I responded immediately!
What was your first workout and how did it go? How did you feel after?
I don’t remember what the first workout was specifically. Probably because much of it was a little Greek to me at first. I remember feeling so sore on Thanksgiving and not sure if it was CrossFit or wondering if I had the flu. This soreness passed within a week or so.
What’s your favorite workout, or movement?
My favorite workouts are the tough cardio ones that include cardio (like running, my personal fave) and lifting, pulling or pushing movement(s).
Least favorite workout, or movement?
Before coming into CrossFit Missoula, I had not done a lot of lifting. Heavy days are not my favorite, but I am learning to appreciate them.
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health, and fitness since starting at CrossFit Missoula?
CrossFit (and working with Daniel) has been a life changing/saving activity for me at this point in my life. I cannot say enough about Daniel and his knowledge, methodology, and approach to health and fitness.
CrossFit has helped my body recover from almost a decade of inconsistent exercise due to multiple pregnancies. CrossFit has enabled me to reach good fitness again by strengthening the core through Daniel’s daily WOD’s.
Daniel has helped me tremendously in the care and health of my back so that I can do the things I love to do.
CrossFit Missoula has helped me stay sane.
What sort of unexpected changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit?
I had no specific expectations coming into CrossFit because I knew so little about it. I was looking for a new exercise routine but I quickly realized that I had embarked upon a new lifestyle and health regimen that helped my physiology (became a better runner, stronger in general, etc), health (my back issues and knee issues improved) and mind (a better mental state).
Please share with us any favorite CrossFit Missoula moments:
I have grown very fond of the 5:30am WOD instruction time with Daniel. He is at his daily high, having just come off his WOD and always delivers a colorful WOD instruction, while the rest of us are still waking up. I find it highly amusing.
Any advice for people just getting started or new to CrossFit?
Keep an open mind, give it time and have fun.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Thank you to Steph and Daniel for getting me here!