Nov 2022--Ashley Freeman

1. Tell us about yourself, your family, your occupation, hobbies/interests.

I was born and raised in New Jersey running around barefoot carrying chickens like baby dolls, and yes they all had names. I have 4 brothers and 1 sister. Spent my early adulthood in upstate New York and well, fast forward to adult life now, here I am on the brink of a new decade… the last year in my 30’s! Wow, where has the time gone? I have been married to my hunk o hunk hubby for 13 years now and we have 3 sons and 1 daughter. I am happily managing the home front and enjoy the early mornings outside with hot coffee and a good book before the hustle and bustle of the day start. I also enjoy drawing, red wine, collecting books and dreaming of all the flower patches Id like to have bloom one day, once the kids are out of the digging and back yard construction days.☺ Some simple favorites are just the backyard hanging out with family tossing a football, swinging or pretending I know how to play the ukulele.

2. When did you start CrossFitting? Why did you start? Why do you continue now?

I began my CrossFit journey in January 2021. My answer is two-fold. Honestly, we had a hard 2020 (who didn’t right?!) and to end out the year I had just lost a baby in December and I needed something outside the house to help pull me up and away from the dark hole that was beckoning me. I didn’t want to go there. I also didn’t want to waste time traveling to Topeka, Manhattan etc. I wanted something close to home. Aside from this I was also trying to make it a “New Year” resolution to find extra little ways to make my husband happy. (I know, I know…but hear me out…)
My husband Dominic had been in CrossFit for a couple years now and he loved it. He always enjoyed sharing with me about his workouts I wasn’t a part of it so I couldn’t relish in with him. I also knew there were lots of other couples who participated in it as well and I knew he would love it if I joined. I thought it would be fun to have something we could do and share together. I barely even got the full sentence out of my mouth of attempting to say I was “thinking” I should give it a try… and he was messaging Andy and Joe telling them to sign me up! I just sat there in amazement at how excited he was for me and how such a small thing on my end brought him so much joy. Who knew it would also end up being the very thing I needed. Although, in the end at this point I’m really the one benefiting but also he and our children because it’s bettered my health and helped my body heal in lots of ways. It’s a personal benefit but also so beneficial to my family to be taking care of my physical health. I continue because I love it! I look forward to the daily challenge to see, what can I conquer today? Is it a fear? Is it the urge to give up? Let’s do this! It’s not just physical, let me go to the gym and workout, it’s a whole package kinda thing. Bad day, crazy day, hectic day, happy day, sad day, whats it gonna be day… nothing a little pumping iron or burpees wont cure ☺

3. Do you remember your first WOD? What were your first thoughts after your first WOD?
I don’t think I do, specifically, but I do remember doing a lot of wall balls initially… and my first thoughts after were wow this is fun… until I felt my legs the next day and thought, how am I gonna do this?

4. What do you enjoy most about CrossFit?
Everything.
Except crabwalks, those should not even be a thing.
But, really, my workout buddies that show up to achieve greatness in themselves and cheer me on in my journey… they are top notch! They make the hard parts enjoyable and laughable too. ☺ That camaraderie thing…it’s pretty magical.

5. What is your proudest CrossFit moment?

Every time I walk through the door! Just kidding ;)
I recently was faced with a WOD that had box jumps. I’ve never attempted to jump on a 20’ box until then. I was thinking, “I should be able to at this point!… ahhhh, it’s so high though!” I was afraid of getting bloody shins… but I stood there staring at the box and told myself, “How are you going know if you don’t try?” So, I did. I jumped and landed it. My first 20’ box jump and I did all the ridiculous amount of them for the WOD. I didn’t miss one. I only had a few seconds to spare before the time ran out but I did it. That was a very special moment for me. Not only conquering a fear, but challenging myself to at least try and then completing not one but like 60 of them ☺
Don’t doubt yourself!

6. What is your favorite movement or lift? What is your least favorite?

I don’t know that I have one I’d say is my favorite. I do enjoy the non barred movements more, for sure. My least favorite is probably the Curtis P’s. The individual steps aren’t hard it’s the combo of the movement that is taxing and just not a favorite. Barbell Snatches & Overhead Squats would be a close second and honestly, who really can say they like burpees??

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?

I haven’t had a goal of completing any particular movement or such per se up to this point, actually, besides just coming and trying to be better each time. After the exhilaration of recent Box Jump I’ve since started thinking about what other movements I’d like to conquer next; like the pull up or I’d also love to be able to do the toes to bar movement. It just looks cool though I have not tried it fully. Can I do it? I won’t know unless I try. I’ve only been working on the steps to build up to it at this point but would love to try to work on it to eventually get it.

8. What makes CrossFit different from other fitness programs that you might have tried in the past?
I haven’t tried many other programs but CrossFit is unique for sure. The variety as a whole is definitely nice for keeping you on our toes. I like that you have to sign up for a spot and claim your space – like you better be there, we’re counting on you. You’ve gotta make the commitment and be committed. You’ve gotta want it! The individual coaching for every workout is in itself distinct and amazing. I’m always learning something new even on a movement I’ve done a hundred times. The coaches are always working to better themselves in their own knowledge which translates down to their teaching and it definitely shows. The coaching is exceptional! I also think the tracking of our progress is unique to CrossFit and I do love that aspect of it. I didn’t understand its purpose in the beginning but I do now and appreciate having that info readily available to visibly see your progress and how far you’ve come.

9. What impact has CrossFit Benedictus had on your life, in and out of the gym?
CrossFit has impacted my life in all the ways. Physical, mental, spiritual, it’s all tied together. About 4 months after joining CrossFit I encountered a life altering experience in terms of health. I give a great credit to CrossFit for my body being stronger at that moment than it would have been if I hadn’t joined prior. Getting back after and continuing since has been a long and slow progress but slow and steady wins the race. Life isn’t a sprint. CrossFit is helping us conquer the challenges of daily life one WOD at a time, in and out of the gym. The mindset - determination, resilience, courage, fear conquering, grit, strength, confidence! So many attributes can come from a simple workout…a simple space like the Box …great things come forth.

10. Tell us about your nutrition and how it has changed, if any, since starting CrossFit?
I think at any point in your life when you are taking charge over yourself you re-evaluate all the aspects, diet included. I spent the entire month before joining CrossFit eating ice cream and york peppermint patties…(No, I didn’t always eat like that!) I’ve always tried making healthy choices but once I started I made sure to be mindful of what I was consuming and making sure it was good food to fuel my body and not hinder it. Early this summer I started Keto for health reasons and have enjoyed the benefits of that though I still enjoy the goodness of life God has given us, I’m just very mindful of how foods effect our bodies and how that translates into our own personal health no matter what that looks like to you vs me etc. It looks different for all of us.

11. If you could write a WOD for the classes to do, what would it look like?

Fellow athletes…Don’t hate me ☺

“The Daily Grind”
(The 4 rounds are for my children (Oliver, Juliette, Marcel, & Edmund aka Eddie Boy) and 13 is for our 13 years of marriage.)

4 RFT – 30 min Cap

13 Pull Ups
13 Box Jumps
13 T2B / Knee Raises
13 DU/SU
13 DB PP
13 AS

12. What advice do you have for others about the importance of the dedication of taking care of yourself, of investing in yourself?
Don’t take today for granted. We don’t know the day or the hour when our final moments in life will be. Why not make the best of it? Be the best you can be for yourself and your family. Be healthy. Be strong, physically, mentally and spiritually. You won’t realize its importance until it’s too late. Don’t wait.

13. What advice would you give to someone new to CrossFit or who is thinking about giving it a try?
Don’t think you can’t do it, anyone can! How will you know if you do or don’t like it unless you give it a try?! Try it, see what you think! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Plus it’s just a lot of fun. “Where fun and fitness meet…” it’s exactly that!

14. Open Forum

Everyone always takes this spot for a grand thank you – I’ll follow suit for this round because I think it is fitting. Due thanks to those souls who began this beloved Box in town and to the ones who keep it going strong! Honestly, I know I haven’t been in as long as everyone else but I can’t imagine life without it and the community life it has given. I have had to take a couple breaks and they were hard to be away, I’ll admit it. I also want to give thanks for those who help behind the scenes too…. I know I don’t clean the bathroom or the sweat off the mats - I am thankful for those who work hard to do those things because I appreciate the cleanliness of the box! So, thanks to all those who help make the Box what it is. ☺
Of course, thanks to Dom for always sharing his love of CrossFit with me even when I didn’t get it and for being so supportive to me since I have. For all the WOD after WOD passing and settling kids to bed for me so I can go, for all the fun competitive razz we can give each other and for the loving encouragement in all things. He. Is. My. Rock. Most importantly, thanks be to God for a new day to do it all over it again…
Cheers to another day and another WOD!