Athlete of the Month

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

Hi! I’m Erica. I was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. I am a student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville for Civil Engineering

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH CROSSFIT FIRST CREEK?

I think I’ve been with CFFC for about 8 months.

WHAT MADE YOU START CROSSFIT? WHAT HAS KEPT YOU DOING IT? HOW HAS YOUR MOTIVATION CHANGED SINCE YOU FIRST STARTED?

I started CrossFit because I wanted to become stronger and find a way to release stress from everyday life. I have definitely become more motivated to be consistent with the gym since I first started. As soon as I started to get a grasp on some of the movements, I fell in love with CrossFit !

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED SINCE JOINGING CFFC?

I have learned that I am able to do difficult things and push myself to keep moving even when I feel like quitting. 

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST CROSSFIT MOMENT?

My proudest moment would be the first time I Rx-ed a workout.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIFT, MOVEMENT OF WOD? LEAST FAVORITE?

My favorite lift is probably a clean. My least favorite movement is definitely wall balls. (I also like the bike.)

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT CFFC OR JUST CROSSFIT IN GENERAL?

I love that it takes the decision fatigue out of working out. I like just having to show up and the coaches tell me what to do and how to do it. I don’t have to plan out what muscle groups I’m going to hit each day or the workouts I’m going to do (like I would at a regular gym). All I have to do it show up.

WHAT IMPACT HAS CROSSFIT HAD ON YOU IN AND OUT OF THE GYM?

CrossFit has definitely helped me with everyday life. Some of the skills I’ve learned in the gym are super handy when I have to move a heavy object or jump over something (it happens more often than you would think).

WHAT ARE YOUR CROSSFIT GOALS? HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO REACHING THEM?

My goal is to start Rx-ing more workouts. I’m not sure how close I am to Rx-ing more, but I’m having fun trying to accomplish that goal.

WHEN YOU ARE NOT CROSSFITTING, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO?

I love watching movies, going to coffee shops, and reading.

WHAT IS ONE FUN THING ABOUT YOU THAT WE MAY NOT KNOW YET? 

I love hiking and paddle-boarding.

WHAT IS ONE TIP YOU WOULD GIVE SOMEONE CONSIDERING CROSSFIT OR WHO IS NEW TO CROSSFIT?

Stick with it for a month and remember that everyone in the gym was a beginner at some point.

WHAT IS YOUR DIET LIKE? HAS IT CHANGED SINCE STARTING CROSSFIT? WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WORKOUT FUEL?

CrossFit has definitely made me aware that how I eat directly affects the way I feel throughout my day and perform during workouts. I have become more mindful of what I’m eating and track macros closely (with the help of FIT2EAT). The gym has taught me that I need to pay attention to what I’m eating in order to achieve the goals I am setting for myself in the gym. My favorite workout fuel is a pre-workout banana, but I’ll never say no to some mint chocolate chip ice cream.

FREE WRITE

I absolutely love CFFC! I have so much love for all of the coaches; everyone at the gym feels like family. The time I spend in the gym is, hands down, my favorite part of my day. Queen Kendra, Queen Rebecca, Queen Morgan, Queen Alex, Diva Devin, and Matt are some of my favorite people in the world, and I love them so much! (I’m sure Jamie and Kevin are cool too, but you will not be catching me at a 5:15 or 6:15am class.)