May 2017--Melissa Goulart

1.Tell us about yourself, your family, your occupation, hobbies/interests.
I was born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa.  I attended Truman State University and  Des Moines University Medical School, graduating in 1996.  Dave and I have been married since 1995 and have five children.  We moved to St. Mary’s in 2003 so Maisy could begin school at St. Mary’s Academy.  Since moving, I have worked at St. Mary’s Health Center and teach Biology at St. Mary’s Academy.  My hobbies include reading, baking, playing the piano, and occasionally the cello.  I enjoy being outdoors, especially next to the pool, and love baseball.

2. When do you start CrossFitting? Why did you start? Why do you continue now?
I began CrossFit on February 28, 2015.  That date has been branded into my memory!  I was at a dead end and felt I needed to do something drastic.  CrossFit seemed drastic at the time.  I continue because on the great benefit of the program

3. Do you remember your first WOD? What were your thoughts after your first WOD?
My first WOD was “It’ll Be Fun, They Said.”  I did not even know what WOD meant!  I remember thinking how awful it was.

4. What do you enjoy most about CrossFit?
The constant physical challenge is what I enjoy most about CrossFit.  Feeling that ache a few days after a tough WOD makes me happy.

5. What is your proudest CrossFit moment?
My proudest moments where when Dave and Maisy began CrossFit.

6. What is your favorite movement or lift? What is your least favorite?
My favorite is the power clean.  Least favorite is the double under.

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?
Getting my first T2B was big.  I had been so close so many times.  I would like to Clean & Jerk 100 pounds.  I have done each movement separately, but never as a set.

8. What makes CrossFit different from other fitness programs that you might have tried in the past? I think the functional movements are what make CrossFit different from other programs I have tried.  Some may give you intensity, but where is the gain if it does not improve daily function?

9. What impact has CrossFit Benedictus had on your life, in and out of the gym?
The physical benefit was anticipated, but the mental fitness has been the most benenficial.

10. Tell us about your nutrition and how it has changed, if any, since starting CrossFit?
My nutrition did not change much until I began to prepare for my L1 course in 2016.  Now I follow a Zone based nutrition plan.

11. If you could write a WOD for the classes to do, what would it look like?
400 m run, 21 slam balls, 21 power cleans.
400 m run, 15 slam balls, 15 power cleans.
400 m run, 9 slam balls, 9 power cleans.
400 m run

12. What advice do you have for others about the importance of the dedication of taking care of yourself, of investing in yourself?
Keep in mind that the Fifth Commandment obligates us to maintain our health to the best of our ability.  

13. What advice would you give to someone new to CrossFit or who is thinking about giving it a try?
Be patient and KEEP COMING BACK!  It is easy to get discouraged when you are in a class of veterans, but improvement comes only with hard work and commitment.  You don’t get what you wish for, you get what you work for!