Who are you? Tell us a little about yourself or something that would surprise us.A Mom, Wife, Grammy, Quilter, Designer and Creative Maker…I’m all about getting healthy, taking on new adventures, being creative and enjoying life with family and friends!I recently retired after a 30-year career as a US Treasury Executive, worked in Denver, Lower Manhattan, Washington DC, San Francisco and Houston. I’m thrilled to put down roots here in Texas and I’m looking forward to new challenges, projects and adventures.I’m a quilter and love anything that involves a project with fibers and textiles. I also enjoy knitting, sewing, weaving, and the satisfaction of creating something original from natural fibers.How and when were you introduced to Behemoth?Several years ago, my daughter Emily wanted a place to workout in Houston when she came to visit in the summer. She asked my daughter-in-law Kristin who asked Dani Raine who recommended Behemoth. Emily worked out several summers at Behemoth and loved it so much. She encouraged me to go with her several times, and I promised I would when I retired. So in 2017 while she was visiting, she held my hand and took me to the gym to visit with Coach Aja Barto. That was the start of my journey of transformation! I often reflect back and wonder why I waited so long! I am also grateful to Emily, Kristin, Dani and Aja for the active roles they played in the beginning of this journey.What are you most proud of, physically, mentally or both since beginning with us?Short answer…It has to be making the original commitment and the transformation that has begun within me!Before I started CrossFit, I watched my health slowly deteriorate year after year, as long hours of work, continual stress, constant travel, poor diet and little sleep took an unforgiving toll on my body and mind. I had not engaged in any regular exercise activity other than walking for most of my working career. Like so many people, I had tried short spurts of various activities, such as running and aerobics, but those were short-lived. I had never lifted weights of any kind, not even dumbbells, never did squats, pushups, pull-ups, didn’t even know what a burpee or kettlebell was.When I retired, I made a commitment to myself to ‘get healthy’. It wasn’t about getting in shape or losing weight, but about improving my health as the foundation for the quality of life that I wanted to sustain for many years to come. I chose to incorporate CrossFit as a consistent exercise lifestyle that would help me on the path to good health, starting with building strength, mobility and balance. I also began eliminating so many bad eating habits, one by one, and replaced them with good clean eating. Next, I changed my rest and sleep routine to focus on giving my body more recovery time.Like so many others, I still have a long way to go in getting healthy, but the transformation that has started tells me I’m on the right path. I see chunks of improvement in my strength. I’ve actually started to see muscle definition that I didn’t even know existed. I’ve changed the way I think about food, what I put in my body, read more labels, yet spend less time prepping food and cooking. I’ve reduced my stress levels significantly, find myself thinking more positively, going to bed earlier and waking up earlier because I’m rested.Why Behemoth?Hands down the BEST in every aspect of getting healthy…expert innovative coaching staff, top notch facility and equipment, thriving positive culture and community. I love the variety in WOD’s, the different social activities, and encouragement that comes from everyone in the community. Since joining Behemoth, I have had a chance to workout in other crossfit gyms in the US/International, and so far none compare with Behemoth.What next? What are you excited about pursuing here in the future?I want to enjoy the journey, the challenges, the successes, stay on the right path and continue to improve my health. I’m at a good place in my life and want to contribute to this community of friends and family however I can.“3, 2, 1…Go” Mad Lib section-My favorite lift (movement) is…The basics…The Deadlift…probably because that’s where I’ve seen the most improvement in my strength so far.-My most frequent class I come to is…9:30am MWF…Love the morning time with friends I’ve made in this class.-I have always wanted to…Learn to shear sheep!-When I’m not crushing weights, my favorite thing to do is…Quilt or make anything that involves fibers and textiles-Favorite “application of fitness” outside of the gym is…Working in the garden, landscaping, or working at our cabin-Favorite Pandora station…Anything Country-Beast mode engaged when this song comes on…‘Cheeseburger In Paradise’ by Jimmy Buffett
