1. When did you start coaching at CrossFit BC?
I started apprenticing in March, then coaching classes in July of 2012
2. Why did you choose CrossFit?
I didn’t actually! My partner Tim signed me up and said “I paid for your Foundations” after I watched him compete at his first CrossFit competition. I was mad at him for spending so much money on something I didn’t know if I would like; I haven’t looked back!
3. What changes in your health, physique and overall performance have you seen since starting CrossFit?
So much! I’ve lost weight, gotten leaner, and am now both stronger and faster than ever (even when I towed on the varsity crew at UVic).
4. What advice would you give to someone with regards to starting CrossFit?
Everyone starts somewhere and we all want to see you succeed! It took me a year to get my first pull-up. Learn the techniques and good movement so you don’t have to relearn it later.
5. What is your favourite CrossFit exercise?
That’s tricky; I change my mind all the time because I go through phases where I love or hate different movements. I’ve traditionally liked barbell movements like the snatch or the clean but I recently started to enjoy ring muscle ups and handstand walks as well.
6. What is your favourite activity outside of CrossFit?
Something outdoors! Surfing, kayaking, hiking, skiing or snowboarding, or a multi-day camping trip. Close behind an outdoors activity as a favourite would be sleeping.
7. What is your proudest accomplishment at CrossFit?
My first muscle up – it took four and a half years until I realized it wasn’t going to happen magically (and that I could actually do it eventually if I tried) and started to strategically work on the pieces of a muscle up. That muscle up is closely linked to qualifying for the Western Regionals as the 20th fittest woman in western Canada in 2016, which is one of my other proudest – and most surprising – moments.
8. Have you made any changes to your diet?
Yes, so many! It’s happened gradually but I went from being a vegetarian who ate a lot of carbs and didn’t really pay attention to how much I ate, to eating meat because of low iron levels, then an elimination diet because of digestive issues (which was basically Paleo) and now I weigh and measure most of my food to try and maximize my performance. It may seem a bit obsessive but I think I have a much healthier relationship with food now that I prep my food in advance and have a good idea of how much I need to eat.
9. Is there something that people would be surprised to know about you?
I grew up on an island with pet chickens and know how to make handmade artisan soap.
10. What/who inspires you the most?
I’m inspired by so many of the strong intelligent women I see competing and training in CrossFit, and by people who have made a difference in the world by spending their time working on a cause that makes the planet a better place. I love it when the athletes I coach finally “get” something and I can see that spark in their eyes as they implement a new movement or habit into their training or lives like Shark, Bal, Firecracker, or Jojo have done this year (to name a few).