September Athlete of the Month

Congratulations Rachel

Hometown: Ridley, PA

Current Location: Norristown, PA

Age: 24 (Yes-I'm that young, although I am an 'old soul')

Occupation: Media Planner & Buyer

College: Penn State University

How long have you been a CrossFitter? A year mid-September

Did you ever play sports? I was a goalie for middle school lacrosse and field hockey and played rugby in my first year of college.

Got some cool (or uncool) hobbies you'd like to share? I specialize in napping and eating mostly...up until recently I was a barista by night and can make a latte with perfect foam :)

What is your biggest achievement at CrossFit? Finishing in the top 5 at King and Queen was amazing, my first pull-up ever in life happened at CFKOP, same with climbing the rope...but I think the biggest achievement is the fact that I still look forward to the WODs and love walking through those doors. I have never stuck with something this long and after a year I'm still hooked!

What do you feel that you still need to work on? A lot! Clean and jerks, snatches, handstand push-ups, double unders, overhead squats...but most of all letting my brain get the best of me in a lift/workout!

Goals for the rest of this year? Get on that big white board and stay on it! :-) Excited to improve my form with the BBC fall intro session and generally pushing myself to come to WODs that are a challenge. I'd also like to get back to eating healthier.

What's your favorite WOD? Anything with kettle bell swings, wall balls, atlas stones, deadlifts, thrusters, and front/back squats...love those 'chipper' WODs too!

How about your favorite food/snacks? I'm glad this was a plural question b/c making me pick just one is cruel...I'm known for my specific cravings, but in general: any fresh fruit, avocados/guacamole, fresh veggies, ice cream, white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, sushi, bacon, Chipolte, and Shady Maple breakfast. 

What is the craziest workout outside of CF you have ever done? The second month of the Insanity DVD's is appropriately named. I don't think I got through the warm-up. But that's the good part about Crossfit-the coaches actually notice when you stop moving!

What’s your least favorite WOD? Anything with overhead squats probably takes the cake on that one...

Favorite lift/movement? Front and back squats are awesome...but I have a special spot in my heart for thrusters.

What’s your least favorite lift/movement? Overhead Squats! I think I'd rather do jumping bar muscle-ups...

What skill have you been working on in 2013 the most? I think I've put most of my effort into the clean and jerk, although recently I've been focused on HSPUs.

Whats your favorite piece of workout "gear"? My 'POW' pants, courtesy of Mama Dubbs. 

What you say is your biggest improvement since starting CF? My mentality. I never saw exercise as something enjoyable, let alone something I'd promote to other people. Just ask my boyfriend...now I don't shut up about it!

Who is your favorite coach? In all sincerity, I don't think I can pick just one. 

Aimee, Jason, Miranda (Team Chalking Dead!!), Mike, Laura, Tim P: I haven't had a chance to go to many of your classes, but each of you have helped motivate me in a different way and shown me new things with your unique teaching styles. 

Keith: Your Sunday morning classes are great and your tangents crack me up. You constantly push me to be better during the workout and you're also one of the few coaches I've had the pleasure to worked out with as well. 

Tim McCann: Fellow teammate (go Chalking Dead!) and mobility master! I can honestly say that since starting mobility on a (semi) regular basis, I've decreased my aches and pains significantly. You're positivity is infectious, which is saying something coming from this pessimist. And I'll always remember that 'friends don't let friends get d-bag shoulders...'

Steph: You saw my ability in the strength movements and took an interest in me early on in Crossfit. For someone who had just started and was unsure of herself, this was a major part of keeping me motivated and one of the reasons I'm still here today. Your personal journey and your transparency when it comes to sharing that journey is inspiring. You continue to push me to improve and try new things. 

Giulia: You speak Rachel. Whenever I start to get frustrated about a movement, you seem to know the thing to say and it clicks. When I was struggling with a squat, 'pull your hips forward.' When I was struggling at handstand pushups, 'rest your butt on the wall, now explode up!' When I was struggling with toes to bar, 'look at that spot on the ceiling.' You create those 'ah-ha!' moments. And that early Saturday morning killer WOD? Let's do those more often!

Paul: You find the perfect balance of humor and focus and I look forward to your classes because they are so much fun. You set goals for me and push me to do better. When you say I can grab a heavier kettle bell or put more weight on the bar - I don't always believe you. But then somehow it works out (must be the Viking blood...) and I walk away feeling more confident than before. I also admire your fierce dedication to beach season and hope that we never stop doing abs. Channing Tatum would be proud.

Thank you, coaches, for nominating me, and for helping build the community that is Crossfit KOP. The first day I walked in and I was amazed that people not only took the time to ask my name, but cheered me on as I was the last to finish. When I started Crossfit I didn't weigh myself or take measurements; I said when I stopped having fun is when I would quit. Still here, still having a ton of fun, and looking forward to the next year at the box!

PR's to mention? Goals Reached? Nutrition highlights?.. I am the fittest I've ever been in my life, mentally and physically. Crossfit was a game-changer, and I'm so happy to be here.