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The Hill: July Newsletter
July Featured Athlete: Denise Johnson
Meet this beautiful and strong BUILD member and this month’s Featured Athlete, Denise Johnson!
Through doing CrossFit with Coach Sami, she has made amazing friends, has improved her energy levels dramatically, and has increased her core and upper body strength!
1. What’s your athletic background?
The last person chosen for any ballgame at recess or PE class because I was so much smaller than my classmates. My physical activities included marching band a couple of hours a day, mowing lawns to pay for college – 4 every week, and de-tasseling corn if anyone knows what that is!
2. What was your first experience with CF/BUILD?
Last fall with the first class was my first experience with CrossFit/BUILD.
3. When did you start CF/BUILD?
When Sami and Matt started the BUILD class, I started too.
4. Why did you choose CrossFit Memorial Hill/BUILD?
When Sami called, I told Sami that I needed something to get my core stronger and keep me going during chemo, radiation and possible surgery.
5. What keeps you coming back?
Sweat and smiles. We all leave CrossFit Memorial Hill sweating, but I always feel more energized and can move more easily than when I came in. BUILD is also positive emotionally for me because it lets me know that even if I can’t control the cancer, I can control my energy level and how I am able to fight the cancer.
6. Why do you live in KC and how do you like to spend your free time?
I live in KC because my husband’s first job out of college was here. We have always enjoyed living and working in KC. Our free time is spent with church activities, our children and grandchildren, and friends.
7. What do you like about KC?
It’s been home for a long time. It’s centrally located for our family, the economy is great, and there’s always someplace to go or something to do.
8. What are one or two improvements you have seen in your life since starting CF/BUILD?
Number one improvement is my energy level has drastically increased. Number two is that my upper body strength and core strength are so much better than they were when I began.
9. What are your goals for 2017?
I want to increase my weight by at least 10 lbs. and maintain that weight. I want to have the energy to be active for the entire day and the day after that too even when I am having a chemo treatment.
10. What would you say to someone thinking about starting CF/BUILD?
It’s the best thing you could imagine doing for yourself and in the long run for your family.
11. What’s your favorite & least favorite CF movement?
Favorite is just about anything with the bar or weights. Least favorite is superman or something with the med balls.
12. What’s your favorite cheat meal?
I would love to eat some cheese, yogurt or ice cream, but can’t so I guess I’ll have a protein drink. Yuck, I REALLY detest protein drinks, protein bars, protein cookies, but sometimes those are what help me to maintain my weight.
13. Anything else you would like to share with The Hill family?
I really appreciate being able to come into CrossFit Memorial Hill and do the limited movements I can, and I love seeing what other classes/people are working on.
It’s Never Too Late
Several months ago, Coach Brianna approached me about having her grandmother, “Pitty Pat” come in and train during off-peak times. This is her story, in her own words.
I am a 74 year old mother of 2, grandmother of 7 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
I have type 2 diabetes, and my legs have hurt so badly from neuropathy, that I can hardly walk to the mailbox.
I have had 2 heart attacks which have left me very weak.
I also broke my right upper arm and busted my shoulder all to pieces from a fall. They glued it back together and put a rod and screws into the bone to hold everything together.
So needless to say, my mobility has been pretty restricted. Some days, I just didn’t feel like getting out of bed. Hard as I tried I could not get my diabetes under control, even with medication.
My granddaughter, Brianna, is a coach at CrossFit Memorial Hill, and asked me if she could work with me, to try to help me get some strength back. I said, “Oh honey, I can not do CrossFit. That would be too much for me.” Finally she talked me into it and my daughter, Lisa, drives me to The Hill every week on Wednesday.
I made up my mind, that if this was going to work, that I was going to do everything that Brianna told me to do. Which I have done.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV5Vzxfhr1W/?taken-by=morningwod
I am here to tell you, that my diabetes has dropped 100 points, It is closer to normal than it has been in years. My energy levels have improved 95% or more. I am no longer in bed all day everyday, in fact, I no longer take naps. I am able to actually go and help others who are in greater need. My mobility in my arms and legs have increased so much, that I can reach behind my back, and walk without pain being so excruciating. I love my new lease on life, and it is all due to CrossFit, and the support I have had from the coaches and staff there.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVnHAs6BxIC/?taken-by=morningwod
So don’t ever say, “I can’t do that.”
With a little determination and the love and support of the most wonderful people supporting you, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING.
I really love all of you at The Hill, who have been so supportive, and have helped me get my life back.
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