May 2023--Cecilia Mangin

1.Tell us about yourself, your family, your occupation, hobbies/interests.
 I’m a wife and a mother, two of the most fulfilling titles I have ever held. I am also subcontracted through eAssist and work with dental insurance during my kids naps, but that is probably the least significant and surely the most boring thing I do. During the weekdays I spend a good amount of time at the park, the library, or on walks with my two boys. On the weekends we generally do house updates and yard work and on Sundays we almost always go for a little hike on local trails if we aren’t spending time with family or friends.
My main hobby is photography, I took one photography class in 2018, bought a Nikon and have steadily improved and learned over the years. I still have a lot to learn but I enjoy it and love the satisfaction of a beautiful memory captured in permanence. I also like to write, but I don’t currently have an outlet for that except that I’ve started documenting funny things my kids say because they are hilarious and I don’t want to forget those stories. 


2. When do you start CrossFitting? Why did you start? Why do you continue now?
 I started CrossFit early in 2021. Im not advocating that everyone do this, but I was 7 weeks postpartum and I only joined that early because I thought another on-ramp wouldn’t be offered until the fall. So, I thought; “Well, I feel pretty good- I’ll just do it.” I was fine physically, but my emotions were all over the place and I cried at least once, during or after every single on ramp class. It still makes me laugh to think that I did that. 
 I started because my husband, (who I might add- doesn’t even do, nor has ever done CrossFit) encouraged me to try it out. I still tease him for this. Feel free to keep sending me the men’s on-ramp emails and I’ll just keep forwarding them to him. 
 I continue now because I like to have an outlet for my emotions and the stress of every day life. CrossFit brings me a continuous competitive struggle, it brings me a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, but most of all it tempers my ego.

3. Do you remember your first WOD? What were your thoughts after your first WOD?
 Yes, my first WOD was Curtis P’s and Teresa Sparks was my coach. I was already dead after the warmup and I was still struggling with the mechanics of a movement-I cant remember which one it was- but she said; “Its okay, just do XYZ and work until cap.” I thought okay- sounds good. Well cap starts rolling around and I feel like I have the legs of a jellyfish and I don't think I can do another lunge and to make matters worse everyone else finished and started cheering for me. While that is something I have come to appreciate- I was in that moment embarrassed to be the last one working and also because now everyone could see that I wasn't even doing the proper movement. 
 Well, I have come to appreciate that moment because it was my first and best lesson in (as Doc would say) “Leaving your ego at the door.”



4. What do you enjoy most about CrossFit?
 I love walking into CrossFit knowing that not only am I going into something that will help me grow stronger physically, but that my struggle and sacrifice inside those walls goes towards others as well. That knowledge that if I can push through the last few minutes of a workout then someone’s friend or family member can make it to eternity is an incredible motivation. That if I can challenge myself with a little heavier weight then I can add a little prayer in support of someones job, or home, or life decision. I love that I can do something as seemingly silly as tossing a ball at a wall and that can help someones soul. I know that is a basis of the faith, but I never intentionally and consistently applied it before CrossFit.


5. What is your proudest CrossFit moment?
​ Just recently I beat Jennifer Rutledge on Sled Pulls by one pound. I know it was only one pound but I didn't even know I could do that weight. The main reason I tried was because instead of just showing up for a workout with no idea what we were doing- as I often do-I looked at what the workout was going to be and saw what Jennifer did and thought; “ I wonder if I can do that.” 
So I would like to thank Jennifer for doing her best that day, because it was inspiration and a drive for me!


6. What is your favorite movement or lift? What is your least favorite?
 I enjoy power cleans. I struggled with that movement the longest when I started and it was satisfying when it finally clicked. I do still get in my head occasionally and mentally break down the movement too much, but its still a favorite.
Also I know its not something we do a lot, but for some reason I really like slam balls. I’m sure they could be programmed in a way that I would really NOT like them, but I find them oddly satisfying. 
 Least favorite- Strict press. I just feel weak trying to do them.


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 have currently only one main goal and that is to do a single pull up. And I have not yet achieved it- but someday, hopefully I will.
 I also did achieve the goal, sometime last year, of finally being able to do a power clean without feeling like I was doing mental gymnastics just thinking about the movement.


8. What makes CrossFit different from other fitness programs that you might have tried in the past?
​ Well, not having the option of your couch three feet away is certainly helpful. 
 In reality though I never had formulated workout plans other than workouts my husband used to write for me. Although those were certainly good-I was missing the added component of what I guess I could call “gym coworkers.” The addition of the feeling that I was a part of a team and having the driving force of everyone else behind me is a good motivation for me personally. Thank you to all my gym coworkers out there!


9. What impact has CrossFit Benedictus had on your life, in and out of the gym?
​ I think the reminder that everything I do, everything that is difficult or tedious can be transformed into something greater and given to others. Its a truth I’ve always known, but CrossFit has been an excellent reminder for me. And I’m just a healthier person which makes me a happier person and a better wife and mother. I have more strength, which has made being a mom to two busy kids a lot easier. CrossFit has helped build my tenacity and self will so even when I’m tired after a long day, I can still push through and get my duties of state completed.



10. Tell us about your nutrition and how it has changed, if any, since starting CrossFit?
 If you know Chris then this question is irrelevant. No really though, it hasn’t changed too much. We eat fairly balanced and my husband is a wealth of information and support in this area. 
I did just start taking amino acids before/during workouts and have felt much more energized. Chris and I like to joke around that maybe thats why I made athlete of the month.


11. If you could write a WOD for the classes to do, what would it look like?
 A mile Run and then slam balls. 15, maybe 20 min cap. Score is your Slam balls. I would call it 
“You had a Bad Day” and it would be a cure for any bad day- unless you did the morning class and then maybe it would be the cause of your bad day.


12. What advice do you have for others about the importance of the dedication of taking care of yourself, of investing in yourself?
I think regardless of who you are- single or married. You have people relying on you, it’s your duty to take care of yourself. And caring for yourself physically, naturally spills over into other areas of your life.


13. What advice would you give to someone new to CrossFit or who is thinking about giving it a try?
You should just try it. You won’t be bored because the workouts are always different and the group classes are motivating!


14. Open Forum:
I just want to say thank you to all the wonderful coaches who take time away from their families and day to day lives to help us safely and effectively complete a workout. 
And thank you to everyone at the box. This past year, with your sacrifices, a whiteboard intention for my family was answered. Thank you. 
 And if you made it this far, then I get to share with you some wonderful news. This November, our family gets to welcome a new little baby!