May Featured Athlete: Katie Lee

Brother-in-law back squatter.
Art Director.
Kitten & KC lover.

Take a moment to get to know our May Featured Athlete: Katie Lee!

 

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1. What’s your athletic background?

In first grade, my sister (4 years older than me) and I fought over a penny- one of those special flat pennies that you get at a museum after giving them fifty cents. I lost that wrestling match and ended up with three nail marks down my face that my first grade teacher pulled me aside for to make sure I was “ok at home.” My sister won that fight back then, but today I can back-squat her husband.
 

2. What was your first experience with CF?

I bought a $25 Groupon for a month of crossfit (3 classes a week). I went and on my first day we did wall balls and deadlifts; neither of which I had even heard of before. When I finished my first class, I had to walk home and then up three stories of stairs to my apartment. I sent my boyfriend, Scott Roberts, a picture of where I was sitting on the second floor staircase because I didn’t think I could make it any further. When I finally made it inside, I took a shower and then passed out on my couch for 4.5 hours. I could barely walk the next few days. I went back to that box one more time during that Groupon month. That’s how they get you.
 

3. When did you start CF?

March 2014 – but I only went twice that month…I didn’t come back to crossfit and start going more consistently until probably months later.


4. Why did you choose CrossFit Memorial Hill?

It’s 5 minutes away from our office and apartment.


5. What keeps you coming back?

Kayla and Kim.

6. Why do you live in KC and how do you like to spend your free time?

Scott and I met in graduate school in Virginia and moved out here together for a job. We both work at Barkley – he’s a strategist and I’m an art director.
Unfortunately a lot of our free time is spent working because the advertising world doesn’t respect the 9-to-5 🙁 But when we’re able to go out and explore KC, we love Up/Down, alcoholic milkshakes and movies at The Alamo, and basically all the tourist things you do in KC since we’re still new-ish.

Oh and I play with my two adorable kittens: Charlie Hustle and Taco Chalupa Batman. You can fall in love with them on instagram at @ohyouwanttoseemycats

 

7. What do you like about KC?

Before coming out here, I thought Kansas City would be made of farms with the main population being cows…once we moved here though, I fell in love pretty fast! There’s so much to do and I’m really excited for the summer when I’m sure the number of things to do will triple. I’m still searching for an outdoor or drive-in movie theater and places to hike. It’ll be a good summer.
 

8. What is one improvement you have seen in your life since starting CF?

My ass.

9. What are your goals for 2016?

1) To be able to run more than a mile without hating every moment of it.
2) To be cured of asthma.

10. What would you say to someone thinking about starting CF?

I usually tell people that they won’t be able to walk for their first week, but then after a month or so you’ll be addicted.

 

11. What’s your favorite & least favorite CF movement?

Favorite: Back squat. I think I’ve felt the most successful with this one and it’s also great for my butt.

Least favorite: Running. Last week we were running and Coach Z saw how much pain was on my face and asked me if I was injured. No…no I wasn’t 🙁

 

12. What’s your favorite cheat meal?

My whole diet is a cheat meal.
Joe’s BBQ doesn’t help my Fran time any.
 

13. Anything else you would like to share with The Hill family?

I really hate Camille Leblanc-Bazinet.

April Featured Athlete: Scott Walters

April Featured Athlete: Scott Walters

“All of you are awesome! There isn’t one person I’m not happy to see… Matt and the other owners and staff have built a truly commendable facility where we can all pursue our best.”

Take a moment to get to know a man that demonstrates dedication and hard work inside the gym, at his workplace and with his family! And who else do you know has 2016 goals of looking like Rich Froning with no shirt and growing a fuller beard?

scott- high quality

 

  1. What’s your athletic background?

    I played golf in high school. That about sums it up. Recreationally, I’ve always enjoyed basketball, tennis, and football. Running sucks.

     

  2. What was your first experience with CF?

    Before the gym opened, the owners held free WODs on the south lawn of the Liberty Memorial. Brianna took me to one of these. The WOD was a team format, I think 3 rounds of like 100 kettlebell swings and 800m burden runs with the kettlebell and a med ball. It was hard and I didn’t come back for over a year.

     

  3. When did you start CF?

    I began in February 2014, with the fundamental class, which at that time was called Crossfit 101. Z was the coach.

     

  4. Why did you choose CrossFit Memorial Hill?

    It was the only exposure I had to Crossfit at the time, the owners were friendly, and the gym is only a few blocks from where I work. Oh, and Brianna had been working out at CFMH for a year.

  5. What keeps you coming back?

    It has become a lifestyle for our family. Before Crossfit, exercise and health were a low priority at best, and not connected to our lives in general. Over the years, though, fitness has become ingrained in our lives to the point that our hobbies have become more fitness related, our kids are into exercise, and we have learned to look at health as adding enjoyment to our lives, instead of taking away things away from them, like good food, fun, time, inches on our waist, and pounds off the scale.

     

  6. Why do you live in KC? And how do you like to spend your free time?

    Both Brianna and I grew up in this area. Most of our immediate family lives here, and we’ve never seriously considered leaving. Our free time is mostly spent with each other and close relatives, usually at home, either doing some sort of home improvement project, playing games, or watching movies. I like to find ways to include drinking beer in all these activities.

     

  7. What do you like about KC?

    KC is a pretty well-rounded place. It’s both big and small, without some of the drawbacks of each. There are many options for everything to do, unlike smaller cities, but there is not the congestion and urban isolation of larger urban areas. In KC, the whole metro area is very accessible. From Independence, I can easily and quickly get to south Johnson County (not that I’d ever want to), the Legends, the Northland, anywhere in the metro. In bigger cities covering that much territory is harder, so people tend to stay in their own neighborhoods and sub-communities, not really experiencing the whole city very often.

     

  8. What are one or two improvements you have seen in your life since starting CF?

    I’ve noticed a lot of improvements in myself the past two years. The obvious ones are that I’ve dropped some excess weight, toned up, feel better about myself, and my clothes fit more comfortably. But, more importantly, I’ve made lots of valuable friends, become more disciplined, have a better understanding of overall health, and become closer to Brianna as we’ve both grown in the CFMH community.

  9. What are your goals for 2016?

    I want to keep on the track I’m on, continuing to improve all my lifts, movements, and work capacity. Also, to look like Rich Froning with no shirt and a fuller beard.

     

  10. What would you say to someone thinking about starting CF?

    Don’t be intimidated by it. Don’t shy away from the membership cost, the loud music, the complicated workouts, the lingo, weights crashing on the floor, girls who are more ripped than you are, guys who appear to be chiseled from stone, or the fact that everyone seems to know and like everyone else. And, something Brianna told me when I started: “No one can judge you when they’re lying on the floor gasping for air, too.”

     

  11. What’s your favorite & least favorite CF movement?

    My favorite movement is probably snatch, followed closely by muscle-ups. My least favorite is probably back squat, but I’m trying to work on that. 

  12. What’s your favorite cheat meal?

    Only because I eat it all the time — pizza and ice cream — with, you guessed it, a cold brew or six.

     

  13. Anything else you would like to share with The Hill family?

    All of you are awesome! There isn’t one person I’m not happy to see there, or anyone I would like to see leave. I miss all those who I’ve seen go elsewhere over the years. But to everyone who still loves The Hill but hates hill runs as much as me, you are all collectively my favorite people. Matt and the other owners and staff have built a truly commendable facility where we can all pursue our best. I hope that we can continue to be a part of it for years to come.

March Featured Athlete: Vanessa Geer

March Featured Athlete: Vanessa Geer

Avid rope climber. Former Air Force Captain. Current reservist & law school student. CrossFit L1 trainer. Lover of her husband, daughter and mac & cheese.

 

Staying engaged and motivated through changing life circumstances and busy demands outside the gym, Vanessa is this month’s featured athlete. Her ability to manage family, work, coaching, training, and school is inspiring. Take a moment to get to know her and be sure to share some love with her on the white board next to our Member Wall!

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1. What’s your athletic background?

I did ballet and gymnastics when I was young, and then did cheerleading and track in middle and high school. When I joined ROTC in college, I knew I would need to start doing a little more for fitness, so I mostly ran. During college I got more into weightlifting, but was on the typical back/bi and chest/tri and cardio routine, which carried into the military.

2. What was your first experience with CF?

One of my friends (Bill Henniger from Rogue Fitness) suggested I try CrossFit in 2007. I resisted at first–my program worked (or so I thought). He would text me workouts to do and I finally tried one. My very first workout was “Cindy.” I only got 8 rounds, and that was with terrible squat form and using the gravitron for pull-ups!

3. When did you start CF?

I moved from South Carolina to Germany in 2008, where a group had just put together a CrossFit affiliate. I would say that’s when I really committed to CrossFit. I had a very stressful job at the time. They gave my workouts structure, but more importantly, they were a fun group and became some of my very best friends. From there I got my CrossFit Level I, and then led a CrossFit group in Iraq in 2009 and in Afghanistan in 2011.

4. Why did you choose CrossFit Memorial Hill?

CrossFit Memorial Hill was the gym that was most welcoming, prompt in their communication and the most professional. They were also close to our home, and had a schedule that I thought would accommodate law school pretty well.

5. What keeps you coming back?

The people and that “Oh no! What’s the workout?” feeling I get when I open Wodify. I know even if I have to squeeze my workout in during open gym, there will always be someone to count a few reps or offer encouragement.

6. Why do you live in KC? And how do you like to spend your free time?

I moved to Kansas City to attend law school. I’m currently in my 3L year at UMKC Law. We love the area and have really fallen in love with the city. My free time (what’s that?!) is pretty limited. I am a traditional Reservist at Whiteman Air Force Base, and we had our first baby in September. I love to read when I can find a few minutes, and I enjoy music and eating out (which KC offers plenty of!).

7. What do you like about KC?

There is very little I DON’T like about KC–the city is vibrant, fun, and has amazing food and museums. I couldn’t ask for a friendlier, more fun place to live.

8. What are one or two improvements you have seen in your life since starting CF?

CrossFit has improved my body image, and the way I see food. I thought I had a good workout program when I was first in the military–running, light lifting, push-ups and sit-ups. But to stay the size I thought I needed to be, I ate around 1,200 calories a day. With my two hours in the gym each day, I was pretty much starving myself. With CrossFit, I gained healthy weight, and strength. I developed confidence from climbing ropes, doing pull-ups and beating a lot of the guys I worked out with. Now, I eat to fuel my performance. It’s still a struggle some days–I still have “fat” days, especially dealing with my body post-baby, but I know that I need to EAT to stay strong and healthy.

9. What are your goals for 2016?

My goals for 2016 are to take and pass the bar exam, and run the Green Monster Trail Run, which is a 25K race with a 4,000 foot ascent, in October. I’m also hoping to match some of my previous CrossFit PRs.

10. What would you say to someone thinking about starting CF?

Just give it a few weeks! At the very worst, you’ll improve your form in a lot of movements and make some new friends. The program really is scalable to any ability level, and CrossFit Memorial Hill will offer the support and structure you need to do CrossFit safely.

11. What’s your favorite & least favorite CF movement?

Most favorite: rope climbs. Least favorite: ring dips.

12. What’s your favorite cheat meal?

Macaroni and cheese

13. Anything else you would like to share with The Hill family?

I’m glad to be a part of the Hill. I couldn’t ask for a better gym or a more supportive group.

February Featured Athlete: Jacob Beaumont

February Featured Athlete: Jacob Beaumont

“Weighing in at 334lbs—I caught myself in the mirror and realized that at some point things had gone off the rails.”

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Jacob joined The Hill back in August of 2015. Take a few minutes to get to know him by reading the interview below and be sure to give him a high five the next time you see him! We are so glad to have you as part of the family, Jacob!!

 

What was your first CrossFit experience?

It was in a warehouse out by some railroad tracks in my home town.  Some friends had been working out in this guy’s garage, and he had finally expanded into a space where he could run classes.  After a lot of convincing, my friends talked me into giving it a go. I don’t remember much about my first workout, except that ended with a bodyweight carry somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 yards.  I could barely move the rest of the week.

 

What was your athletic background?

While I grew up playing just about every sport available to me, I was only ever there for the social aspect of the activity—the running around and physicality was never my thing. My athletic background really started in late 2010 when—weighing in at 334lbs—I caught myself in the mirror and realized that at some point things had gone off the rails. I started running, and like most people it started with a Couch-to-5k program.  Running quickly became my everything.  Over the next four years I ran myself down to 194lbs.  I then found myself with a different problem—I could run all day, but I couldn’t lift to save my life.


Why did you choose CrossFit Memorial Hill?

Honestly, it’s because The Hill is so close to where I live.  When I first moved here I had intended to try out a number of gyms, and The Hill happened to be the first on my list because of proximity.  After my first fundamentals class things seemed to click into place, so I tossed my list and stopped searching.  I really lucked out.

 

What keeps you coming back?

Earlier, I mentioned that I only ever really played sports as a kid because it gave me an excuse to hang out with my friends.  I suppose the social draw of things hasn’t really dissipated as it’s the people that keep me coming back to The Hill. I’ve got a busy schedule, and it’s often that in a given work week, my time at the gym will constitute the entirety of my social life.  I count myself as pretty lucky to have found a group of people that are as capable, driven, outgoing, and kind as the crew at The Hill to spend that limited time with.

 

What’s your favorite and least favorite CF movement?

I love deadlifting and despise thrusters.

 

What are some improvements you have seen in your life since starting CrossFit?

I’ve made peace with the scale.  For the better part of four years my only focus was losing weight.  Every single day I would step on it, and I only felt good on days when that number went down.   If that number didn’t move, or hell, if it went up, then my entire day would be ruined right there. Now, I am focused on my performance at the gym, and I eat and train accordingly.  Has my weight gone up?  Yeah, it has.  Does it freak me out on occasion?  Yeah, it does.  But then I find my one rep maxes turning into three rep maxes, my mile time going down, and the movements I have to scale becoming easier, and I am reminded that there’s more to all of this than my weight. The scale now lives in a storage closet.  We see each other about once a week.

What would you say to someone thinking about start CF?

Be a blank slate.  We live in a world where opinions on fitness and movement are readily available from any number of individuals on the internet, qualified or not, which makes it really hard to go into any kind of gym without a number of preconceived notions in your head about what is right and what is wrong.  Leave them at the door and be open to letting your hands-on experience shape your opinions as opposed to some troll on a message board.  If, after you try it out, you decide you don’t like it, at least you made that decision for yourself instead of letting somebody say “no” for you.

 

What’s your favorite cheat meal?

Post-workout donuts every Saturday after class.  I head to Lamar’s before the Saturday WOD so they are ready for me in the car when I’m done.  The sour cream old-fashioned donuts are champ fuel.

 

What brought you to KC?  What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I moved to KC for work. I grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, and was immersed in everything a small, mid-western community has to offer.  I also spent some time living out in Las Vegas, Nevada, and had a chance to experience life in a large city. There was a chance to make the jump from politics to non-profit work up here, and I took it.  Kansas City has the amenities and opportunities of a big city while feeling like a close-knit community, and that’s hard to say no to. When I’ve got free time I prefer to spend it in the kitchen.  I grew up cooking, and cooking is how I like to unwind.  After the food has hit the table, generally beer and board games follow.  I like to go out, sure, but I’ve got a dorky homebody vibe to maintain.

 

What are your goals for 2016?

For the last couple of years I have wanted to run an ultramarathon.  Finally, after a small break from running, I’ve got a 50k trail race scheduled for mid-May this year.  My goal there is to simply finish it. After that, I’d like to take some serious time through the end of 2016 to continue to drill down into the basics of Olympic lifting.

January Featured Athlete – YOU

YOU are the Featured Athlete this month.

For those just now coming to The Hill, I’ll fill you in – every month your coaches nominate an athlete that demonstrates exceptional dedication, positivity, and support toward their fellow athletes and community. Unfortunately, there are only 12 months in a year. There are way more than 12 incredible humans walking around in here.

So, this month we’re featuring you. 

We’ve seen some incredible results – both inside and outside the gym – over the last year. Here are just a few quotes from the awesome people you work out with everyday:

  • “Thanks for helping me get into wedding shape. We love our Hill Family.”
  • “I’m excited to finally be on the path to become an athlete.”
  • “I’m in the better shape than I’ve been in for at least 10 years – and I’m just getting started.”
  • “This place has truly changed my life and the lives of so many other people here.”

This is just the tip of the iceberg. I have an inbox folder entirely dedicated to stories of reduced cholesterol, diminishing Type II Diabetes, playing with kids & grandkids, and getting off chronic disease medications.

You should be very proud of your accomplishments.

Results aside, you’ve showed up en masse to support and have fun with each other at our monthly events. You’ve raised thousands for Veterans’ and Domestic Violence organizations. You’ve created an environment wherein we can begin to reach out to kids without access to phys. ed. in their schools. You are changing the landscape of wellness for our city.

So, here’s to you – January’s featured athlete. Keep up the great work and keep your eyes forward.

Kate Spry: December Featured Athlete

Kate Spry: December Featured Athlete

Kate Spry is a very, very busy person. She is a doctor of veterinary medicine and her clinic is regularly full. Before starting CrossFit she was working out at a 24 Hour Fitness for 2-3 hour blocks when she could squeeze it in until a trainer said, “I think you would like CrossFit.” That trainer was correct. Kate hasn’t looked back since.

Kate enjoys the challenge, community and the zen-nature of CrossFit.

“It’s a place I can go, leave everything else out, and shut my mind off, and just work. It really is a good, good place for me to be. It’s my therapy.” Kate shared this in her podcast where she shared a lot about her life. She also shared some useful information on taking care of your pets, go check it out!

Kate chose our workout for Saturday, December 5th at 9 AM, the Hero WOD “Victoria”

“Victoria”

Solo or with a partner:
5 Rounds For Time
10 Thrusters 95/65
14 Box Jumps 24/20
12 Sumo Deadlift High Pulls 95/65
12 Burpees
27 Kettlebell Swings, 1.5/1 pood
Please join us to work hard and have a great time. And thank you, Kate, for being such a wonderful part of our family here at The Hill.
Cheers,
The Hill Coaches

 

November Featured Athlete: Adam Orr, Ironman

Adam Orr: Ironman

Congratulations to our good friend and longtime member of The Hill Family, Adam Orr, on completing his first ever Ironman! An Ironman is a day-long race consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, than a 26.2 mile run. Adam has done endurance race training for awhile, the past year has been very focused on this Ironman race. For more details on his training, check out this episode of The Hill Radio.

CrossFit was an important aspect of Adam’s Ironman training.

While Adam was away doing his Ironman in Flordia, we celebrated him by doing this workout:

Alone or with a partner, for time: 2000 meter row then 30-20-10 hang power cleans & Toes to bar then 400 meter lunges and broad jump.

Congratulations, Adam, you are an Ironman.

Love,

CrossFit Memorial Hill

 

October Featured Athlete: Lydia Friz

October Featured Athlete: Lydia Friz

Lydia has been an important part of our community these past two years. She is a committed athlete who has come a long way since joining.

Lydia started CrossFit to return to the fundamentals of human movement and function.

Lydia found CrossFit after dealing with injuries and mobility issues in boxing. When she started afraid and nervous. She overcame the fear and anxiety by learning how to scale on her own, realizing her own strengths and making friends who were helpful and encouraging.

Lydia uses CrossFit to pursue her true passions: helping people and staying healthy.

Lydia said CrossFit is important to her now because it keeps her focused while studying in preparation for physical therapy school and she now has such a vital group of friends at The Hill. Lydia thinks physical therapy will be a good fit because she will be able to help others recover and exceed their own expectations for themselves.

Lydia and I took the time to write a little workout for us to do soon in class. This includes her favorite and least favorite exercises which are as follows:

  • Favorite barbell movement: hang power clean
  • Favorite gymnastics movement: ring dip
  • Least favorite mono-structural movement: rowing
  • Least favorite barbell movement: snatches

We will update this post soon with the dates for the workout. You’ll have to show up to learn what the workout is exactly. Gonna be a fun one

September Featured Athlete: Garrett Gilbert

 

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xmas garrett

Meet Garrett Gilbert, our Featured Athlete for the month of September. Garrett has been a part of The Hill family for over a year, he is a medical student who does CrossFit to stay fit, healthy and sane. Garrett enjoys competing in local competitions and has met most of his core group of friends at The Hill.

On Saturday, September 5th at 9 AM we will be doing a fun WOD to celebrate Garrett in class. This WOD will include movements that Garrett has identified as being his strengths and weaknesses.

You’ll have to show up on the 5th to find out what the workout is exactly; in the meantime here are a handful of fun workouts you can do, all inspired by Garrett Gilbert.

In 20 minutes, find your 3 rep max thruster then front squat.

For time: 50, 40, 30, 20, 10 Calories on the rower & sit ups

For time: 21, 15, 9 Back squat & hang power clean @95#

“Jackie” For time: 1000 meter row, 50 thrusters 45/35#, 30 pull ups

5 rounds for time: 50 double unders, 15 toes to bar

Meet our new friend Caitlin Ewing.

 

 

Meet our new friend Caitlin Ewing.

Caitlin Ewing is from Milwaukee, WI. She will be helping out around the gym. Say hello, introduce yourself and join her in a WOD soon!