Athlete of the Month – May 2018 – Marni

First, tell us a little bit about yourself. What are your interests outside of CrossFit?

I grew up in New Mexico and consider that ‘home’ even though I spent the majority of my life in New Hampshire. My husband, daughters, and I moved to North Carolina almost 5 years ago. I have essentially been a ‘stay at home mom’ for the past 15 years although I did work at their elementary/middle school for a couple of years. I found Crossfit about 6 1/2 years ago and fell in love. At one point my husband suggested I coach. I laughed at him. Several members of a previous box I went to suggested I coach. I listened to THEM… of course!!! Coaching has become an absolute passion of mine. I cannot imagine my life without it. It’s the one thing that keeps me relatively sane..

I’m supposed to have interests outside of Crossfit??? What? That’s right… FOOD. I love cooking, trying new cuisines and restaurants, as well as checking out our local Farmers Markets particularly Durham and Carborro. I also enjoy live music (according to my husband my purchasing of tickets has become a ‘problem’), dancing (some of you have witnessed this first hand), and reading.

And beer….definitely beer.

How and why did you get involved in CrossFit?

After years of competitive soccer and then settling down with a family I could not find any fitness regime that kept me motivated. Back in NH I drove by Battle Crossfit almost daily. I had no idea what Crossfit was but noticed a lot of ‘fit’ people running up and down the road sometimes carrying ‘stuff’. My husband encouraged me to check it out with my oldest daughter (the lovely and talented Kaidyn Ash). We happened to go in on an evening during heavy deadlifts. I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into but made it through foundations and was hooked!!

What was the first workout that you completed?

I don’t remember my FIRST workout, however I do remember a workout very early on that involved wall balls and box jumps. The coach made me use a 20# wall ball. Yup! 20 freaking pounds!!!

What are your current and future training goals?

Complete my THIRD Beer Mile

Complete Murph with a weight vest

Get just ONE ring muscle up…. Just. One.

What is your favorite activity or lift, e.g., pull-ups, dead-lifts, running, front squats, snatches, burpees, etc.?

Rowing, wall balls (even after the 20# fiasco), and the hang power clean

What is your least favorite activity or lift?

Overhead squats… Definitely overhead squats…

What PR are you most proud of achieving and why?

PR Most Proud Of: 200# back squat and bar muscle ups…

What do you enjoy more, strength or conditioning and why?

A year ago I would have said strength but I’m starting to lean toward conditioning. Who would have thought??

Favorite food(s)?

Ummm …. I really don’t discriminate against any food. I think it depends on my mood.. At this exact moment I could go for Lilly’s pizza (I like the one in Durham). And a beer….

What are 3 fun facts about yourself?

1. I was in a commercial for a local auto body shop in NH.

2. I have NEVER smoked…… A cigarette. EVER.

3. I used to work as a counselor in a boys group home where I was called EVERY name in the book (and then some), had an ashtray and dishwasher door thrown at me in one day, and had to physically restrain teenage boys on a daily basis.

4. I like beer.