CrossFit KOP

Congratulations to our April athlete of the Month - Denise (aka DeeDee)

Hometown: Radnor, PA
Current Location: Conshohocken, PA
Age: 27
Occupation: Sales
College: Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!)

Did you ever play sports? Yes, I played field hockey all throughout high school. I also played basketball back in the day.

When did you start CrossFit? August 2010. My roommate from college told me about Crossfit and when I Googled it, I came across the main site. It scared the living day lights out of me. I had no idea what a clean and jerk was and I was thinking to myself... there was no way I will ever be able to do a pullup or pushup. I contemplated signing up for an intro class for about 3 months. I am so happy that I finally pulled the trigger because starting Crossfit is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

What is your biggest achievement at CrossFit? To be honest, everything. I have done things that I never thought were possible. Getting my first kipping pull up was huge and was probably my first big achievement. Participating in the 2012 open was an amazing experience as well as my biggest achievement to date. Workout 12.5 really comes to mind. I walked in, never having done a C2B pullup before and with the help from Donkey and Aimee, I was able to get 14 in the workout.

Goals for the rest of this year? I would love to get up that damn rope. I am scared of heights so that may be one of the factors that's holding me back. I would also love to be able to do a HSPU, string more than 25 DUs (maybe get on that 100 board!), and deadlift 250lbs. Oh and RX Grace :)

What do you feel that you still need to work on? I need to become more efficient with my DUs - those are always a work in progess. Push-ups definitely - I look like a fish flopping around out of water on more occasions than not. Overhead squats are also a weakness.

What is your favorite time of day to WOD? 5:30pm, even though I have been making an appearance at the 6:30pm classes more recently

What's your favorite WOD? Grace, FGB, and any team workout

What’s your least favorite WOD? Eva

What’s your favorite lift? Deadlift and Clean & Jerk

What’s your least favorite lift? Overhead Squat and Thrusters

What's your favorite foods, and snacks? I am a sucker for mac & cheese

Who is your favorite coach? That's a tough one because each coach has helped me out tremendously. I love each and every one of them. Aimee - if it wasn't for your dedication and passion, I would not be the athlete I am today. Jason - for all of your knowledge you bring to class and always yelling at me to pick up that bar even if I am ready to keel over and die. And for bringing back my childhood nickname, DeeDee. Donkey - for always encouraging me to dig deeper and being there to cheer me on. Also, for making working out on a Friday night fun. Plentus - your sense of humor makes class fun and your motivation always makes me want to complete 1 more rep or run a little bit faster.

People sometimes ask me why I don't go to Crossfit Conshy (it is about 500 yards away from my office and 5 minutes from my house) and my response first and foremost is because of the coaches at KOP. Aimee has put together an amazing coaching staff and I can't imagine being coached by anyone else.

PR's to mention?
14 C2B pullups in 12.5
235lb Deadlift
125lb Split Jerk
120lb Clean