Featured Athlete of July: Jill Mueller

Jill doesn’t like the spotlight much, but we think she is very worth celebrating!
She is one of the main pillars of our BUILD program: Functional Fitness for Cancer Survivors. Each day we see Jill in the gym, we’re reminded of our Core Values for our athletes: Coachable, Hardworking, and Positive. Jill – no matter what we’re working on – always shows up with a smile and a willingness to work hard and learn. We appreciate you, Jill! – Matt

Let’s get to know more about Jill..

What’s your athletic background? Swimmer – 8 years; ran track two years in high school.

When did you start working out at The Hill? January 2017

What keeps you coming back? Community; getting stronger; acceptance of who I am exactly the way I am.

Was this your first experience with CrossFit? Yes! 

If you could write the WOD what would it be? Squats; kettlebell swings; rowing. 

What are some of your goals, fitness or personal- for 2018? Find a 3x to come to the gym each week, i.e. a class that will work for me; commit to losing 10 lbs.; work on core strength. 

List one or two improvements you have seen in your life since starting CF? Definitely stronger – all over; 

What do you like about KC? It’s a great small big-city – it has all the attributes and amenities of a large city, without all of the drawbacks.

Why KC? And how do you like to spend your free time? My husband and I both work in KC; we raised our kids in Lee’s Summit and moved downtown after our youngest went to college. We love that we have access to restaurants, theaters, etc. and all by walking!

What’s your favorite cheat meal? Mexican – OMG the chips… 🙂

What would you say to someone thinking about starting CrossFit?  Try it!! It is empowering!! And make sure you have someone who knows what they are doing training you – like those coaches at CrossFit Memorial Hill.

How did you hear about BUILD? Through my neighbor Chad’s FB post.

What is something you wish everyone knew about fitness/CrossFit/BUILD? That truly ANYONE can do it.

What is your cancer story?
While scratching my neck at work one day back in early 2011, I felt a lump.
Due to my family history of thyroid nodules, I didn’t panic – I just went to have it checked out by my doctor. One test lead to another, discovering multiple nodules, two of which were were cancerous. I was reassured that this was a very slow-growing cancer, and very curable. I underwent surgery in March of 2011 and had Radioactive Iodine treatment in June of that year. Dealing with the lethargy that comes with having no thyroid, and frequent blood tests to tweak my meds, can get old; but you come to accept it.

Then in the summer of 2015, I went to my GYN for my annual exam, and after talking through my symptoms we did a few more tests. I was told I had uterine cancer. Seriously??? I was 51 at the time, and this was my 2nd cancer. I was told AGAIN that “…if you have to have a cancer, this is a good one to have.” REALLY? Is there ever a GOOD cancer? I knew my doctor was trying to be encouraging, but I wanted to throw something. I underwent surgery for a complete hysterectomy in September of 2015. Because they caught this cancer very early I was incredibly fortunate to not undergo any kind of post-surgery treatment. I’m sure the instant menopause and hot flashes will burn away anything remaining… LOL (that’s a joke…)

One thing I know for sure is no one can or should go through their cancer journey without a support system. My husband, kids, extended family, church family and friends were priceless to me during all of it. And now I have my BUILD family and #fitfam as an additional support network. You all are the BOMB!! Thank you!

Anything else you would like to share?  Thank you for welcoming me into your amazing #fitfam-family!!

Jared Horman : Featured Athlete of June

Coachable | Hardworking | Positive

These are the attributes that we look for in our athletes. Each month we like to Feature an athlete who exemplify these core values.

With hair (and a mustache) more fabulous than Ron Burgundy, Jared is a fun and important part of our community. You’ll find him working out in the noon class, or throwing weights with Coach Josh. Whatever he is doing, it’ll be with a smile and an attitude ready to crush whatever he is faced with.

Check out his art!

Let’s get to know a little more about Jared…

What’s your athletic background? Very little… I didn’t start to enjoy being active until college. In college I found running and Ultimate Frisbee as my gateway sports.

When did you start working out at The Hill? November 2016.

What keeps you coming back? Coaches. Classmates. Community. Competition. Cool Clothes. Could I continue with C words? Yes.

Was this your first experience with CrossFit? No – I started earlier in 2016 for about three months, than took a hiatus while I was moving. 

If you could write the WOD what would it be? Back Squat, Rowing, Cleans, and Pull-ups. 

What are some of your goals, fitness or personal- for 2018?  My CF goals for 2018 are to get more confident in my Olympic lifts, build overall strength, string together more than three double-unders, and complete muscle-ups as a part of a WOD. We’re 5 months in and I’ve knocked out two of them! Personally, two of my biggest goals are to participate in my first art show and publish the children’s book I’m illustrating.

Any PR’s that your proud of? All of them? I take pride in what I’ve accomplished every time I gain greater proficiency at a gymnastic movement or gain five pounds on a lift. I recently completed a more focused strength training small group class with Coach Josh and gained +5 lbs on my back squat and +10 lbs on my strict press – and I’m super stoked about that.

List one or two improvements you have seen in your life since starting CF? Aside from being more athletic? The first new friends I made after moving to KC are at the Hill and they helped me find friends in a new city. 

What do you like about KC? I love the friendly, resilient people, the coffee and the strong support of the arts. And The Hill.

Why do you live in KC, and how do you like to spend your free time? I moved to KC in 2016 both for an opportunity to be the first communications director at my employer, FarmHouse Fraternity, and to be closer to two of my brothers. I spend my free time mostly on creative pursuits – drawing, volunteering on the creative committee for the Bloom Party (benefiting KC Care), or trying to bring to life any other number of visual ideas that come in to my mind. 

What’s your favorite cheat meal? Macaroni and Cheese – Or ‘Za. Also an Old Fashioned. But not at the same time.

What would you say to someone thinking about starting CrossFit? Do it, but just know – it’s a marathon not a sprint. You probably won’t be good overnight. It may take a year or two, but one day you’ll wake up and think, “Wow, I did 100 pull-ups yesterday and before I even started, I knew that I could.”

Anything else you would like to share with the whole #fitfam? Thanks for welcoming me into the community! You all rock. It is definitively the friendships and authentic support from coaches and fellow athletes that keeps me coming back. #NoonClass is the best class. 

  
 

Getting to Know Coach Al

CARING | HONEST | DRVEN
These are the core values we hold as a team. We are so fortunate to have such highly skilled & passionate Coaches at The Hill.
Part 5 of our “Getting to Know the Coach” Blog Series..

Al is Strong. Intelligent. Authentic.
Resilient. Inclusive. A True Artist. An Advocate.
And Definitely Honest!

Coach Al is an integral part of our coaching team. She brings a consistent and genuine dedication to our athletes’ progress with an unrelenting drive toward excellence.

Sadly, Al will be leaving our community to pursue a longtime dream of working as an architect in Germany. While Al will be leaving huge shoes to fill, my personal hope is that our athletes each see Al stepping WAY out on a limb in pursuing a new life in a new country. We could all learn from Al’s willingness to pursue this dream – no matter how daunting it may feel.

We’ll miss you, Al! Thanks for all the great memories and moments.

Let’s get to know Coach Al Lampier.

Background

Where did you grow up? Barrington, IL (NW Suburbs of Chicago).

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Paleontologist, biochemist, astronomer, professional soccer player (i.e. Mia Hamm). I still want to be a polyglot when I grow up.

Favorite class or activity in high school? Outside of sports? Creative writing.

Voted in high school… Most Athletic.

Most interesting part time job? Only part time job: soccer referee.

Share a movie you can quote… Singin’ in the Rain.

Got any hidden talents? I can whistle like a bird.

What do you like about KC? No traffic! And the people are ok too 😉

Coaching

Your Job Title at The Hill: CrossFit Coach

How & when did you get connected to The Hill? 4 years ago. I didn’t have a car when I moved here, so I was just looking for something I biked past en route to work. This was located perfectly for me. Dug the workouts and the folks. The rest is history.

How long have you been coaching? At The Hill: 4 years, 6 years total.

Why Coach? Coaching allows me to combine my love of sports with my adoration of physics. Perfect every day applicability. Plus I love seeing the light bulb turn on for folks when they’re learning new skills or when they accomplish a task they didn’t think was possible. It empowers people. 

What do you love about your job? For coaching, see above. For design, I love light, shadow, and textures. A well-thought out, well-executed detail warms my heart. Being able to share those passions with others through an experience is a privilege and a pleasure. 

What certifications do you hold and which are you most proud of?

Coaching: CF-L1, CF-L2, CF Weightlifting. Before it expired, I held an ACE Certified Personal Trainer Cert. I was super proud of that because I had no personal background in training when I studied for and took the test. I’m still proud of it.

Architecture: I’m a licensed Architect in the state of Missouri. Definitely proudest of this one because it was 7 tests over the course of a year. I wanted to quit so many times but I didn’t.

What continuing ed are you planning or currently doing? Just bought Carl Paoli’s “Freestyle” so, I’m gonna read that. At some point I’d like to get the gymnastics cert. Perhaps consider the Level 3, but that won’t be for a while. Definitely interested in learning more about nutrition and programming as well.

How would you describe your coaching style? Profanity-ridden.

What’s something you wish everyone knew about health and fitness? That their body (including mind) is their greatest asset; therefore it should be invested in, challenged, nurtured. It’s not a test or competition. It’s simply about taking care of yourself.

What is something you are working on improving as an athlete personally? Consistency and patience.

What are you looking forward to in 2018? Improved mindfulness and presence.

Anything else you would like to share with The Hill family? You guys rock. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

   

Corinne Schwarz -Featured Athlete of May

Smart      Determined      Kind      Generous      Uplifting

These are just a few things that come to mind when we think of Corinne. Celebrating Corinne this month is easy to do.

Corinne is a great person to have cheering you on and her cookie and cake creations are the best. She just finished her PhD in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.  We are so inspired by her ability to consistently make working out part of her very busy schedule. She’s even come early to prep for Murph with Jenna!

Congrats Dr. Schwarz!

Featured Athlete Interview:

What’s your athletic background? I was WAY too awkward for sports growing up! I started running half-marathons and doing group fitness classes in graduate school.

When did you start working out at The Hill? July 2017.

What keeps you coming back? I love the community and coaching! At first, I was super intimidated to join a CrossFit gym, but everyone is so encouraging and friendly. Participating in Friday Night Lights for the open this year really solidified it–I come here to sweat and suffer with everyone, but before/after class is all social/sharing cat photos/talking about RuPaul’s Drag Race with my friends.

Was this your first experience with CrossFit? It was! My boyfriend Jacob had been here for a few years, so it was a no-brainer to join when I moved to KC last summer.

If you could write the WOD what would it be? Burpees, deadlifts, hang power cleans, and overhead squats–if it has a barbell in it, it’s my favorite workout.

What are some of your goals, fitness or personal- for 2018? Fitness-wise, I’d love to get a strict pull-up this year. Personally, I’d like to start meditating every day.

Any PR’s that your proud of? I just did my first rope climb a few weeks ago (and got my first gnarly rope burn!)

List one or two improvements you have seen in your life since starting CF? I feel like I’ve become more adventurous. I try not to talk myself out of taking chances in the workouts, like throwing an extra five pounds on a bar or pushing my pace on a row, and that has totally translated into my life outside of the gym. Also, I now know how to squat properly, so that’s pretty nice.

How do you find time to workout with your busy schedule? I think there were two things that really worked for me. On Sunday nights, I would look at my planner and write in the days/times I planned to make it to the gym to make it as non-negotiable as possible. If I didn’t write it down, I would bail. I also told literally EVERYONE–friends, family, professors–about my gym intentions to be accountable to others. I think there were two things that really worked for me. On Sunday nights, I would look at my planner and write in the days/times I planned to make it to the gym to make it as non-negotiable as possible. If I didn’t write it down, I would bail. I also told literally EVERYONE–friends, family, professors–about my gym intentions to be accountable to others. At first, it felt really silly/kind of TMI to tell my dissertation advisor that I tried to go to the gym at noon, but she totally respected it and I don’t have to worry about a weird schedule getting in the way of my gymming! At first, it felt really silly/kind of TMI to tell my dissertation advisor that I tried to go to the gym at noon, but she totally respected it and I don’t have to worry about a weird schedule getting in the way of my gymming!

What do you like about KC? I love how accessible everything is in KC. It’s so easy to spend a day puttering around different neighborhoods, eating good food, and checking out museums. There is always something going on if you just dig a little bit.

What brought you to KC? And how do you like to spend your free time? I moved here for my boyfriend’s job, but I am also a graduate student at the University of Kansas. In my free time, I basically harass my cat Jasper, bake delicious treats, go to concerts, and host board game nights for friends.

What’s your favorite cheat meal? All-you-can-eat sushi, followed by cupcakes–a weird but tasty combo.

What would you say to someone thinking about starting CrossFit? Do it! You will be nervous and scared for your first few classes but then it will seriously be the best decision you’ve ever made! Plus, you’ll get weird bruises and calluses and feel super hardcore. 🙂

Anything else you would like to share with our coaches or the whole #fitfam? I cannot imagine my life without The Hill! I never dread coming to the gym, even when it’s a wild workout, because I know I get to see some of my favorite people (and pet a few good dogs). I haven’t even been coming here for a full year yet, but The Hill totally feels like home!

Getting to Know Coach Josh

CARING | HONEST | DRVEN
These are the core values we hold as a team.
We are so fortunate to have such highly skilled & passionate Coaches at The Hill.
Part 4 of our “Getting to Know the Coach” Blog Series..

He’s never looking for a compliment, but Josh is well deserving of praise. Passionate about coaching, an encyclopedia of knowledge, willing to do the jobs no one else wants to do, and improving everyday both as an athlete and coach.
Josh embodies Caring Honest Driven with every breath. He believes in the payoffs of hardwork and making the world a better place by sacrificially serving others. He expects a lot of himself and is excellent in all that he puts his mind to. He is a loyal friend, quick to encourage others, and a good leader. When Josh is your coach you want to make him proud and find yourself laughing and having fun along the way.

Josh, it is good to have you on our team at The Hill.

Let’s get to know Coach Josh Snyder

Background

Where did you grow up? Breda, Iowa.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be? Park Ranger/Wildlife Manager.

Favorite class or activity in high school? Shop class.

Voted in high school most likely…? Most likely to have the most girlfriends.

Most interesting part time job? Mowing lawns in college.

Movie you can quote or know all the words to.. ALLLLLRIGHTYYYY then! Any Ace Ventura movie.

Got any hidden talents? Karaoke King of Garth Brooks.

What do you like about KC? It is a big city with a small town feel.

Coaching

Your Job Title at The Hill: Director of Training.

How & when did you get connected to The Hill? August of 2014. I was moving from San Diego and wanted to continue to coach CF so I decided to walk in and see what The Hill was all about. The people were great, Matt had a beard, and I never left.

How long have you been coaching? 5 years.

Why Coach? – what motivates you personally? I want to be able to help individuals develop some mental toughness and grit. CrossFit allows me to do that through physical adversity.

What do you love about your job?

1. The people I get to encounter on a daily basis.
2. The freedom to shape my own path.
3. The feeling of knowing what we are doing is meaningful beyond physical abilities. 

What certifications do you hold and which are you most proud of? CF L-2, Underground Strength, CF Mobility,
I am not proud of a single certification but of the relationships they have helped me build. 

What continuing ed are you planning or currently doing?  CF L-3 sometime in 2018.

How would you describe your coaching style? Light hearted but focused. We are here to put in work but also have some fun doing it.

What’s something you wish everyone knew about health and fitness? That it is not about today or tomorrow. The journey of health and fitness is a lifetime endeavor. If done correctly we will be the ones kicking it with our grandkids in the yard and on the beach when we are 90!

What is something you are working on improving as an athlete personally? Overhead Squats. My wrist has always been a limiting factor but with the right mindset I am getting more comfortable overhead.

What are you looking forward to in 2018?

1. Building more quality relationships with my athletes.
2. Helping coaches develop their own style and build their own relationships.
3. Helping local veterans through Chalk Up for Burpees.
4. Getting Married to Laura!

Anything else you would like to share with The Hill family? I am grateful to have found an amazing group of individuals who care beyond their own needs. Thank you for setting the example for so many to follow and helping others along the way. Semper Fi!!!

 

   

   

Featured Athlete of April: Craig Lavid

Name
Craig Lavid

What’s your athletic background?
I played soccer as a kid; then football and basketball in high school.

When did you start working out at The Hill?
2.5 years ago.

What keeps you coming back?
I enjoy the coaching and atmosphere. I seem to learn something new every day and enjoy the no sense approach to fitness:  good technique in a positive environment.

Was this your first experience with CrossFit?
I did crossfit for about two years before joining the Hill.

If you could write the WOD what would it be?
Pushups.  Double Unders.  Eating Donuts.

What are some of your goals, fitness or personal- for 2018?
To become more mobile and flexible.  To keep improving on my kips. And just keep coming to the workouts.

Any PR’s that your proud of?
My hang cleans are better.

List one or two improvements you have seen in your life since starting CF?
My squat form is tons better the last few months with the added instruction from the coaches.  The small things have made a huge difference there.

What do you like about KC?
I have two nephews that I have very close to here in KC. I enjoy watching them play sports and taking their candy.  

How do you like to spend your free time?
I enjoy movies, reading, laying by pool, going to dog park.  Simple things.

What’s your favorite cheat meal?
PBJ is my favorite food of all time.

What would you say to someone thinking about starting CrossFit?
I would say make sure you pick a gym that fits your goals.  I obviously think the coaching and non competitive environment is what sets The Hill apart from other gyms.  

Anything else you would like to share with our coaches or the whole #fitfam?
Matt said something at the fitness challenge meeting that really stuck with me.  He said something like, “You don’t have to act like you feel.” That is a powerful message not only about food/diet, but about life in general. I have a stressful job (daytrade stocks), and so many times I would trade how I felt.  Being able to take a step back and look at yourself objectively is something that is probably more appreciated by someone as they age. But that one small thought process sure is a valuable tool.

Getting to Know Coach Mindy

Where did you grow up? Independence, MO

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Fashion Designerloved to sketch, Pro Basketball Player, and yes- a Personal Trainer.
Favorite class or activity in high school? PE of course! And basketball. 

In high school, what were you known for? I was known for being athletic and aggressive on the basketball court. 

Most interesting part time job? In eighth grade I worked at a teachers house helping the build a retaining wall, mowing, and cooking.

Share a movie or show you can quote and/or list songs you can rap/know all the words to etc.. I am the worst at quoting anything, but I could probably manage getting through a Jack Johnson song- “Better together” or “Breakdown”.

Got any hidden talents? I love to sketch, dabble on the ukulele and guitar, and I can salsa dance.

What do you like about KC? I like that it’s affordable, you can get anywhere in about 25 minutes, and all my favorite people are here.

Coaching:

How did you get connected to The Hill? I was looking for a place that I could do Olympic lifting on platforms and saw that The Hill had the best open gym hours and rates, and well of course I knew Bri worked there so I reached out to her and got started!

How long have you been coaching? Well if you add in internships and grad assistant, then its around 7 years. I have been coaching at The Hill since March 2016.

Why Coach? – what motivates you personally? I am motivated by each ah-ha moment an athlete has. To be honest, I am motivated more and get way more excited seeing an athlete do something right the first, second, third, and then every time, then hitting heavier weight. Don’t get me wrong a PR is still very exciting, but when I see someone struggle day after day to achieve a skill and finally something clicks and they do it, then their face lights up. That is what motivates me. I want people to push themselves and see what they are really capable of. Not just how hard can someone push through a workout, but how hard can they push while maintaining virtuosity in a movement. Achieving virtuosity in a skill takes dedication, patience, pristine focus, and drive.To me that is beautiful, and creates longevity for our daily movements and activities.

What do you love about your job? The people! I love the people I work with and work for.
I love that as a business we are constantly growing and striving for excellence.
I love that we have a positive atmosphere.
I love that I have the possibility of changing someone’s life in a positive manner.
I love that I have opportunity to teach others how to do cool things!
I love that I constantly have to learn and grow. There will never be a time that I will know everything.

What certifications do you hold and which are you most proud of? CF- L1, USAW 1, USAW2, CSCS, Gymnastic training course. I’m proud of all of them. However, I really enjoyed my gymnastic course the most and feel like that has had the biggest impact on me and the people I train.

What continuing ed are you planning? My next CEU I will either be advance gymnastics, or CF-L2.

How would you describe your coaching style? Straight to the point, but goofy. I try to keep things simple and explore different coaching techniques that best fits each athlete.

What’s something you wish everyone knew about health and fitness? That it’s a journey and you will never reach the end. The journey is full of challenges and bumps, and maybe some bruises, but it is also full of joy, success, and confidence. The journey is also way more fun and successful if you have loyal travel buddies.

What is something you are working on improving as an athlete personally? Mental toughness.

What are you looking forward to in 2018? Find new things (hobbies/places) to experience and fall in love with.

Anything else you would like to share with The Hill family? You all are amazing people! As individuals you all have helped create such a friendly environment that works hard. This can be taken for granted on a daily basis, but it shines bright as new people join the gym or as we have drop-ins. You all receive and welcome everybody with bright smiles, encouragement, and positivity that overflows. Keep it up!!!

 

Newsletter: March 2018

Featured Athlete of March: Kylea Meneilly

Not only does Kylea crush it in the office, she always has a little left in the tank when she gets to the gym. She’s positive, hardworking, and coachable. She’ll always throw you a high-five and is a bona-fide ambassador for the gym. Catch Kylea in the afternoon classes bringing in the sunshine!

What’s your athletic background? I grew up swimming competitively.

When did you start working out at The Hill? August 2016.

Was this your first experience with CrossFit? Yes.

What keeps you coming back? I love a good challenge. When I conquer an intimidating workout, I feel like I can accomplish anything. I also love the community at the gym because it makes you feel like family. My only regret is not joining sooner.

If you could write the WOD what would it be? Power cleans, rope climbs, double unders. Can’t forget to start with a warmup of the pvc pipe game or crab walking with a med ball.

What are some of your goals, fitness or personal- for 2018? Personal: take more vacations. Fitness: be able to do strict pull-ups! I also want to be the best version of myself and one of my fitness goals is to practice healthy, sustainable eating habits.

Any PR’s that your proud of? I snatched 85# last month!

List one or two improvements you have seen in your life since starting CF? One improvement is my mental toughness. I feel that a lot of Crossfit is mental and having that aspect in control has made a world of difference in my performance each day. Knowing you can accomplish something challenging in the gym translates to other aspects of your life.

What do you like about KC? KC has amazing people. I like the “small world” aspect, like the “6 degrees of KC.”

Why do you live in KC- job? school? other? And how do you like to spend your free time? I grew up in Overland Park, KS. Most of my family, my parents and sister, live in KC. I have lived in other states but nothing beats being close to family. I spend my free time forcibly snuggling my two dogs and watching The Office.

What’s your favorite cheat meal? Pizza. Every time.

What would you say to someone thinking about starting CrossFit? It is not as scary as you think!

Anything else you would like to share? This gym offers unmatched, incredible coaching and an amazing community. I am so happy I joined and I can’t wait to see what this year brings!

 

Getting to Know Coach Blue

CARING | HONEST | DRVEN

These are the core values we hold as a team. We are so fortunate to have such highly skilled & passionate Coaches at The Hill.

  Part 2 of our “Getting to Know the Coach” Blog Series

 

We can only assume that Coach Blue’s calm, caring demeanor stems from his glorious beard and love of cats. You’ll find Blue throwing down good vibes weekdays at 7:00pm and throwing down daily in his own training. We’re grateful for Blue’s adaptability, care for his athletes, and – of course – his annual speedo appearance.

 

Name: Eric Blue

Where did you grow up? South Bend, Indiana.

Fill in the blank: I wanted to be a __ when I grew up. A veterinarian or a gym teacher. So basically two complete opposite things.

Favorite class or activity in high school? Biology.

Voted in high school most likely to… Be in the Olympics. I was a State Champion Swimmer!

Most interesting part time job? Competitive swimmer from the age of 6 to 22.

I can quote… Both Home Alone movies and Ms. Jackson by Outkast.

Got any hidden talents? I have an encyclopedic knowledge of useless information (movie quotes, sports facts, etc.).

What do you like about KC? BBQ (obviously), the music scene, being a part of a city that is trying to grow and progress, all the great people I have met since moving here.

Coaching:

Your Job Title at The Hill: Trainer

Certification: Crossfit Level 1

How & when did you get connected to The Hill? My friend Mitch Stout was one of the original owners/coaches here. He and his wife moved to Columbia (where I used to live) and when I was getting ready to move to KC they said I should check out the Hill.

How long have you been coaching? Three years since January! My first year or so was at Crossfit Fringe in Columbia and the last two or so years have been here at the Hill.

Why Coach? – what motivates you personally? Helping people to improve daily. Not just being able to do a pull up and snatch better but also creating the right mindset about daunting workouts, lifts, or movements.

What do you love about your job? Interacting with people. My other job is fairly individualized so it’s nice to be able to come into the gym everyday and interact with like minded people and just have fun.

What continuing ed are you planning or currently doing? There are a few seminars and courses I would like to attend but the stars haven’t aligned recently. I am hoping to attend gymnastics and weightlifting related courses in the near future.

How would you describe your coaching style? Laid back.

What’s something you wish everyone knew about health and fitness? Not that this is some sort of secret, but it is important to be consistent and flexible. If you have a day where you aren’t motivated, just getting up and moving is worthwhile. You don’t always have to throw heavy weights overhead or collapse onto the ground in exhaustion after a workout to make that day “count”.

What is something you are working on improving as an athlete personally? Taking care of myself through good, consistent nutrition; getting an adequate amount of rest everyday; being focused in the gym at the task on hand and not what is coming up or what happened in the past.

What are you looking forward to in 2018? The Open!