June 2015 CrossFitter of the Month:
                  David Pedrosa


How long have you been training here at CrossFit Elgin, and what brought you here?
I started CrossFit Elgin February of this year.  A group of us friends were talking about how we used to be all fit, but now we were getting lazy. I knew I needed a change.  I had a traditional big-box gym membership or as I like to refer to it as a monthly donation to a big box gym, but I wasn’t going.  The more and more we researched CrossFit, the more it seemed to fit with what I was looking for. I needed structure & commitment. I found CrossFit gives me this.

Since starting at CrossFit Elgin, what has your lifestyle been like? Have you changed anything?
Since starting at CrossFit Elgin I have been more conscious of my nutrition and a complete awareness of how great my body feels after working out. As I think about the last few months and changes I have made, I can’t imagine going a week without CrossFit. The sense of accomplishment you get at the end of each WOD is hard to articulate using words – it is a feeling and emotion that is certainly unique in nature.  You feel accomplished, you learned to overcome your fears and self-talk of ‘I can’t” and you celebrate each milestone. To sum it up, my changes not only have been nutrition and commitment, but also psychological. I learned to pull through, trust my coaches and rely on the energy of everyone in the WOD. The journey has certainly been eye-opening, mind-blowing, rewarding and progressive.

What is your favorite movement / skill you have learned at CrossFit Elgin?
 My two favorite movements are deadlifts & box jumps.


What has been the most challenging part of your journey?
The most challenging part for me was getting into a routine of tracking my progress. I wish I had tracked my progress right from the start. The most challenging move has been the Handstand Pushup (my next goal is to master them).

What has been the most fun?
The coaches are amazing, caring and they genuinely get excited for everyone’s progress. The camaraderie at CrossFit Elgin is second to none. There is such a strong bond & of course friendly competition. 

As an added bonus, my daily goal is to beat Jed Doan’s times/reps/rounds.

How many days a week do you typically train at the gym?
I have been doing 3 times a week, but now I am going to increase to 4 or 5 days.

What is your approach toward nutrition?
 I have recently discovered Paleo and Whole30 and I don’t think I can go back to my old eating habits. Paleo compliments CrossFIt nicely as you are getting the necessary energy to pull through a WOD.

 Favourite activity outside of CrossFit Elgin:
 My life outside of CrossFit involves a diverse group of friends who are really supportive of me.  I also enjoy reading for knowledge which has somewhat landed me the go to person with strange questions.

 

     


    CROSSFITTER OF THE MONTH MARCH 2015

              Andrew Crichton


1. How long have you been training here at CrossFit Elgin, and what brought you here?
 I have been at CrossFit Elgin for 1 year.  My relentless wife brought me here by purchasing a Groupon for me without my knowledge!  I'll admit now that I'm glad she did.

2. Since starting at CrossFit Elgin, what has your lifestyle been like? Have you changed anything?
 I have always been periodically active with exercise.  But CrossFit has put me in a weekly routine that has improved my fitness greatly.  My diet has evolved as well.

3. What is your favorite movement / skill you have learned at CrossFit Elgin?
I like rig work.  Learning to kip has been a challenge, but I am improving.  I WILL develop the skills to do muscle ups as well as master double unders this year.  Goals set!

4. What has been the most challenging part of your journey?
Overhead work is the most difficult for me.  My shoulder flexibility was really limited when I started but that is getting better.  Double Unders are also a struggle.

5. What has been the most fun?
Getting to know the people has been the most fun.  I have developed a great camaraderie with my fellow athletes and the coaches.  The atmosphere is great.

6. How many days a week do you typically train at the gym?
Three days a week

7. What is your approach toward nutrition?
I make an effort to eat Paleo but still use a bit of dairy and enjoy cheat meals once in awhile.

8. Favorite activity outside of CrossFit Elgin:
Skiing and Golfing.

Congratulations to Dan Rabaey & Paula Campbell for being voted the 2014 CrossFit Elgin Male & Female athletes of the year! 

You both richly deserve this award and inspire each of us every day!

Keep up the great work in 2015!

    CrossFitter of the Month Dec. 2014 


                      Richelle Talpa




1. How long have you been training here at CrossFit Elgin, and what brought you here?
I have been with Crossfit Elgin since July 2013, about a year and a half. I was driving by the old place one Thursday night and was intrigued.  I went home and started researching Crossfit.  I wanted to be be stronger.

2. Since starting at CrossFit Elgin, what has your lifestyle been like? Have you changed anything?
Crossfit has changed everything in my life.  Small things here and there that have all added up in nutrition, fitness, and mind set.  I have gained confidence, self-worth, bravery and a willingness to try new things.

3. What is your favorite movement / skill you have learned at CrossFit Elgin?
"I love lifting, lifting's my favourite." I love anything requiring the barbell, the strength portion of our wods.

4. What has been the most challenging part of your journey?
I find anything that requires coordination challenging.  Double Unders and Kipping are the most challenging for me.

5. What has been the most fun?
Meeting new people! I find it fascinating that Crossfit brings together so many people who find a common ground and who support, encourage, inspire and motivate each other to become better.  I also find one rep max days very "fun"!

6. How many days a week do you typically train at the gym?
3 days a week

7. What is your approach toward nutrition?
If it was put on the earth, I eat it, if it was made, I try not to eat it or too much of it.  I just completed the Paleo challenge and will continue on that path right now.

8. Favorite activity outside of CrossFit Elgin:
Yoga

        Nov. 2014 CrossFitter of the Month:

                        Brandon Collier

 

1. How long have you been training here at CrossFit Elgin, and what brought you here?
 I have been training here at CrossFit Elgin for a little under a year. I wanted a change from traditional weight training and also to learn Olympic lifts.  

2. Since starting at CrossFit Elgin, what has your lifestyle been like? Have you changed anything?
Since doing CrossFit I have become a more health conscious person.  


3. What is your favorite movement / skill you have learned at CrossFit Elgin?
My favourite movement is the clean and jerk and snatch

4. What has been the most challenging part of your journey?
The most difficult part has been dealing with my previous injuries and being able to work around them. 



5. What has been the most fun?
The most fun has been meeting and getting to know a bunch of new people



6. How many days a week do you typically train at the gym?
Generally I try to get to the gym 5 days a week.

7. What is your approach toward nutrition?
My approach is largely paleo and a philosophy of your body works only as well as what you fuel it with. 


8. Favourite activity outside of CrossFit Elgin:
My favourite activities have to be either hockey or ju-jitsu. 

 

Oct 2014 CrossFitter of the Month:

                         Monica Szikszay





1. How long have you been training here at CrossFit Elgin, and what brought you here?
  
 I have been training for 2 years after friends told me to give this type of exercise a try.  Once my body adjusted to the workouts and the muscle pain diminished, it became a better experience for me.  I am so glad I stuck with it as it is one of the best workout experiences of my life!

2. Since starting at CrossFit Elgin, what has your lifestyle been like? Have you changed anything?
 I have always had an active lifestyle and fitness is very important to me.  But now that I am stronger, I like to take on more household tasks that involve heavy lifting. 

3. What is your favorite movement / skill you have learned at CrossFit Elgin?
I have three favorite moves- reverse burpees, toes to bar and cleans.

4. What has been the most challenging part of your journey?
It was reconciling the fact that muscle and strength are actually attractive and you won’t necessarily bulk up.  Now that I realize this, I aspire to RX all workouts. I also find that much of the workout is a test of mental will and nothing beats the feeling of gratification at the end of the workout. 


5. What has been the most fun?
I enjoy the mixture of fun and supportive banter in the gym and celebrating in the success of others. 


6. How many days a week do you typically train at the gym?
4-5 days per week
 
7. What is your approach toward nutrition?
To eat small meals throughout the day, to eat clean, and to not deny my love of candy once in a  while. Go Nibs.


8. What is your favourite activity outside of CrossFit Elgin:
Running

       Aug 2014 CrossFitter of the Month:

                   Joanna DeBackere


1. How long have you been training here at CrossFit Elgin, and what brought you here?
I joined CrossFit 9 months ago.  Shannon and I use to workout together and she told me about CrossFit.  She said I would like it and she was right.
  

2. Since starting at CrossFit Elgin, what has your lifestyle been like? Have you changed anything?
My lifestyle has not really changed but how I feel physically certainly has.  Before CrossFit, I was starting to get headaches and my neck would be needing an adjustment which seemed to be monthly.  Since CrossFit, my headaches have stopped.  My body was needing more physical activity.  I feel stronger than I have in years.
 


3. What is your favorite movement / skill you have learned at CrossFit Elgin?
I use to be terrified of box jumps but now I really enjoy them.  




4. What has been the most challenging part of your journey?
Double unders!!!  That's a skill that I struggle with but I keep practicing.  I also really want to be able to do an unassisted pull up. 



5. What has been the most fun?
The people at CrossFit are awesome.  What a great bunch of people to work out with.  I love the fact that we all do the same workout.  It is such a supportive environment.  Steve and Adam are fantastic coaches.  Their encouragement to keep pushing when you think you can't go any further makes a huge difference. 



6. How many days a week do you typically train at the gym?
3 days a week.




7. What is your approach toward nutrition?
I think I do a pretty good job at eating healthy but I also like to have some treats.  I try to have a balanced approach to nutrition. 


8. Favorite activity outside of CrossFit Elgin:
Spending time with my husband and my 2 little boys.

1. How long have you been training here at CrossFit Elgin, and what brought you here?
  I have been training at CrossFit Elgin for just under a year.

2. Since starting at CrossFit Elgin, what has your lifestyle been like? Have you changed anything?
 Since starting CrossFit I have much more energy!

3. What is your favorite movement / skill you have learned at CrossFit Elgin?
 My favorite CrossFit skills are box jumps & Pull ups

4. What has been the most challenging part of your journey?
Shoulder movements. Overcoming mobility issues

5. What has been the most fun? 
Being part of the group. It is a family atmosphere that I enjoy the most.

6. How many days a week do you typically train at the gym?
I usually train 3-4 days a week. 3 days at CrossFit and then running or Hockey as well.

7. What is your approach toward nutrition?
I try to eat a healthy balanced diet, I don’t really eat bread or dessert.

8. Favorite activity outside of CrossFit Elgin: 
My favourite activity outside of CrossFit would have to be hockey

 
June 2014 CrossFitter of the Month:


                             Tanya Noble



1. How long have you been training here at CrossFit Elgin, and what brought you here?
  I have been training at CrossFit Elgin for about a year.

2. Since starting at CrossFit Elgin, what has your lifestyle been like? Have you changed anything?
 I am far more fit than I have been in years since starting CrossFit.  Our whole family has adopted healthier eating habits - I am trying to eat paleo as much as possible.

3. What is your favorite movement / skill you have learned at CrossFit Elgin?
 My favorite CrossFit skills are chin ups, push ups and rowing. 

4. What has been the most challenging part of your journey?
The most challenging part of my journey has been balancing other activities, work etc with my CrossFit. The great thing is it is an hour!! 

5. What has been the most fun?
Meeting new people and challenging myself has been fun at CrossFit Elgin.  It feels great and I have a feeling of accomplishment, people are always cheering you on and you are able to encourage others as well.

6. How many days a week do you typically train at the gym?
I usually train 3-4 days a week

7. What is your approach toward nutrition?
I try to eat a healthy balanced diet, I have really enjoyed paleo meals and recipes. Nutrition has always been a bit of a struggle for me

8. Favorite activity outside of CrossFit Elgin:
My favourite activities outside of crossfit are knitting, reading, gardening, cooking and travelling - I also enjoy my work.