Sept 2019--Katie Thomas

1. Tell us about yourself, your family, your occupation, hobbies/interests.
There is not much to tell about myself…I am blessed to be wife of Matthew, my best friend and love of 10 yrs. and I currently try to manage our humble dwelling as full time mommy of our sweet baby girl.  I also am currently blessed to be, a CrossFit Benedictus enthusiast of almost, 2 “official years” with just a little time off, in there.  My interest and hobbies outside of CFB are… of course talking about CFB and trying to convince everyone to give CFB a try.  (If they only knew what they were missing!)

2. When do you start CrossFitting? Why did you start? Why do you continue now?
I started CrossFit in the late summer of 2017. Why I started, was mainly because of the benefits I saw firsthand both mentally and physically, the growths of confidence mentally and physically, (in humble ways) and the purely inspiring examples of dedication and self-improving determination (in my own immediate, family members), that were veterans of CFB! You know who you are peeps….I continue now because of the undeniably awesome & ever encouraging ‘peer pressure’ to stay and fight for a better, healthier life.  The drive to stay is coupled with the raw, unparalleled WOD intentions, we at CFB choose to sacrifice through for so many in need.  Lastly, because the CFB crazy train is hard to jump off of!

3. Do you remember your first WOD? What were your thoughts after your first WOD?
My first WOD… in the on ramp week was a total learning lesson, for me.  I remember being so deep inside my own head I didn’t even realize there was a timed WOD happening. (Hand smacking head here) Thanks to the expert coaching advice, I was completely working on my mechanics, slowly and thoroughly and when it was over, I remember saying to myself, “oh wow that was a WOD…?.”  My mind was blown and I thought I would never be able to handle a heavier kettle bell than the one I used, which if I recall, it was a 20 lb. KB (insert laughing tears emoji here!)

4. What do you enjoy most about CrossFit?
What I enjoy most about CF… What’s not to enjoy!!!?!  I ABSOULUTLY LOVE IT! (Yes, even the dessert tabatas) There are great benefits off accountability, to your future self. You will become a healthier you mentally, physically and (bonus) spiritually! I enjoy the quiet internal nagging urge one gains from CFB, which gently encourages you to keep going back, even though sometimes it’s so hard to get there, enter ,..LIFE. There is also that unspoken driving force you feel, you’d not only be letting your future self-down but also your CFB family, by not showing up and suffering through the WOD. The pure enjoyment comes from satisifaction YOU WILL come out stronger (in so many ways), inspired and encouraged, no matter the CFB session.

5. What is your proudest CrossFit moment?
My proudest CF moment, (moments)…so many to choose from. My very proudest CFB moment was when my husband decided to sign us up to join CFB. (I was so elated and proud of our life changing decision!) Every day that I am blessed to still be here, able to attend CFB, while watching my husband, family and friends, grow in many ways in and out of the Box) as we all reach CFB & life goals… those moments make me proud!

6. What is your favorite movement or lift? What is your least favorite?
Favorite movement or lift…. I would have to say is SLED PULL or THRUSTERS. (When I’m feeling silly and strong!) Least fave, would have to be GOBLET SQUATS.

7. Have you had one or two challenging CrossFit goals that you've achieved recently? What are your current goals and how close are you to reaching them?
My recently achieved CF goals were… being able to be come back to the CFB box, after medical leave. Learning to scale so to be able to rebuild myself after my comeback, is currently an active goal. Other current goals, PISTOL SQUATS, because it looks so incredibly hardcore.  Am I close to reaching my goals? … Every day I attend CFB, is one step closer.

8. What makes CrossFit different from other fitness programs that you might have tried in the past?
I think the thing that makes CFB different from other exercise programs is the mere fact that your   efforts, weaknesses, strengths and skills are constantly being monitored and worked on by our trained coaches. The coaches are always there to guide and improve and critique you and your mechanics. They give little tips and tricks that hone in on and fine tune movements while correcting and safely guiding you.  The “other programs” and gyms may have a treadmill, and clusters of machinery that can feel a bit repetitious, monotonous and claustrophobic. Also, in my “other” gym experiences, unless you can afford to hire a personal trainer, you don’t get anything near the amount of coaching, knowledge and guidance, (in the flow of functional movements) like you do get EVERY SINGLE TIME you enter CFB, just as part of the awesome CrossFit regiment.

9. What impact has CrossFit Benedictus had on your life, in and out of the gym?
The impact CFB has had on my life, in and outside of the gym has been,…. the Spiritual Strengths, Just by going, I’m quick to remember the sacrifice I will be making for others needs and intentions along with my own.  The Mental Strengths, which I gain, by having my CFB training partners examples and coaching tools, which I can apply outside of the Box towards life’s tuff situations that may come my way, I also find very helpful. The physical strengths, are such a bonus too. With CrossFit, everything becomes easier to, bend, lift, pull, carry and hold, because your body is now automatically preforming functional movements and positions properly, in and outside of the Box.

10. Tell us about your nutrition and how it has changed, if any, since starting CrossFit?
How has my nutrition changed if at all … when I started “I had tried” to stay away from sugar, starches, breads, pastas etc...? Fast forward almost 2 yrs., Now I have adapted some clean eating/ whole foods plan that I hope will help get me to my ultimate goal, of incorporating, The Zone.

11. If you could write a WOD for the classes to do, what would it look like?
A Katie, written, WOD would look like,…  something partner WOD, with dead lifts while  the other partner  does burpees, then  switching and finishing with  sled pulls up and back down the rig, switching off with partner for a couple more minutes maybe 5, and  completing as many runs as possible in the allotted amount of time. I’d call it, the Power of Two.

12. What advice do you have for others about the importance of the dedication of taking care of yourself, of investing in yourself?
I am definitely not one to look at, for the epitome of health, but my advice on the importance of dedication and taking care of yourself by investing in yourself would definitely have to be, just like the old adage says, ‘do what I say not what I do’.  All kidding aside, realistically, why put off until tomorrow what you can do today, no one is ever promised another tomorrow, so be the best form of your today self that you can be, with the tools God gives to this small community,  which is CrossFit Benedictus. It is truly a GIFT, so don’t let it go to waste.

13. What advice would you give to someone new to CrossFit or who is thinking about giving it a try?
To someone considering or new to CFB, listen to what the Ol’ Great Ones say, ‘sign up, show up and shut up’ … commit, stay the course, watch, listen and learn! You will be happier, healthier, stronger and CFB wiser, EVERY DAY that you choose to step foot into the Box.

14. Open Forum:
I just want to take the chance here, to thank all of the efforts, help, dedication, sacrifices, and love that go into keeping this CFB Box, here, open and running.  Thank you, of course to our founders, (the Carrolls), the behind the scenes, thinkers, the planners, the donors, the coaches, the owners and the members. We are all blessed by you all and so grateful to be part of this CFB Community! I pray we are always protected and blessed by our Patron, Saint Benedict.