Name: Taylor Kortlever
Hometown: Sioux Center, IA
Age: 25
Occupation: Teacher
When did you first start CrossFit?: March2021
When did you first start training at CrossFit Katy?: March 2021
What class do you generally attend(morning/afternoon)? I jump around depending on if it’s the school year- I would like to say I am a morning person!
Favorite WOD: I love when there are machines involved. My favorite WODs are when there are like 6 rounds, we do a bike, a little run and then some sort of weight movement. That’s my jam.
Least Favorite WOD: I’m going to have to go with anything that has a large set of box jump overs. Rebounding may break my shins.
Tell us about you sports & fitness background: I was not very active at all before I married Drew in 2017. He is an amazing influence on me in the workout world and once we got married, it became something we love to do together. Now that I have been active for a few years, I like trying new things!
How did you first get exposed to Cross Fit? Take us back to your first WOD... what was it, and how did it feel? I always drove past a CrossFit on my way to work in college. My interest was peaked, and it just grew from there! My fist WOD at CrossFit Katy, was with a very small group and we got to do the assault bikes. I just went for it, and I guess I went a little fast. HA. Mike and Amber seemed to be a little surprised when I got off the bike. The rest was history and I found something Iwas good at! The next day was an Open workout and I cried in my car afterwards. That is why I fell in love with CrossFit- there are days where you can smash a workout and then days where you really find what you need to improve on. It always pushes you to be better.
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health, and fitness since starting CF (before/after)?
CrossFit has pushed me to be way more well-rounded as a person in and out of the gym. When I just started going to the gym before CF, I didn’t have much of a sense of direction. I would bounce around with goals and never really focused on anything. Now with CF, I feel like I have people pushing me to be better. I know there is a community behind me that wants me to be the best version of myself.
What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected?
Once you join CrossFit Katy, you also gain a cheer squad. So many people are there to not only workout but to also support you in many ways! Being new(ish)to Texas when I joined, I didn’t know what to expect. Since I took on CrossFit, I am more confident in myself as an athlete but also feel like I have a big support crew that would be there for me through anything. There are so many amazing people there.
Name one goal you have reached since joining CFK and one goal you want to achieve.
Sometimes it's hard to remember how far I have come in just one year! Some goals that I have accomplished while at CFK and I couldn’t have done it without people there: rope climbs, ONE handstand push up, a quality 10 DU, sub 2 hour half marathon, and a new 1 max rep in back squat and deadlift. With each of those things accomplished, I literally could list amazing people that have helped me accomplish those- just so thankful. BUT, we are not done! I still want to improve on DU (because the pressure of the clock still makes me not get them in a workout), get a strict pull up, do sets of handstand pushups and then improve on my gymnastics. BIG goals for the next year!
Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFK moments:
My favorite memories are post workouts. I love to sit down with people, sweat and all, and just get to hear about them. It makes me love the community that Iam in and see how many different people can be brought together through CrossFit. I also LOVED competing as a team at the KTX Games. That was so fun, and we need to do more.
Any advice for people just getting started?
Just go for it. The worst critic is yourself and everyone else it truly there to cheer you on. CrossFit is its own special community where everyone is thereto not only improve themselves but also make sure you can be the best version of you.
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit?
Outside of CrossFit, I am a 6th grade teacher and absolutely love it. When I am not at school, Iam usually a home body. Spending time with Drew and our doggo is what grounds me and keeps me going. I couldn’t do life without him! If I would have to choose a hobby, I would say baking. Nothing warms your soul like a warm baked good does.
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