ATHLETE PROFILE:
Name: Alyssa Matthews
Hometown: Seminole, Oklahoma
Age: 31
Occupation: Operations Manager at Ram Jack Foundation Solutions/ Hairstylist
When did you first start CrossFitting? November 2015
When did you first start training at CrossFit Katy? November 2015
What class do you generally attend (morning/afternoon)? 6:30 p.m. Strength and Conditioning
Favorite WOD: Anything with Hang cleans, deadlifts, and I actually have grown to like some burpees!
Least Favorite WOD: Wall balls and Rowing!! I am NOT a fan!
Tell us about you sports & fitness background: Never really played any sports, I did some little league softball at one time and played some tennis while in High school but that’s pretty much the extent of my sports background. Before I started CrossFit I was running and going to the gym occasionally.
How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD… what was it, and how did it feel?
My first exposure to CrossFit, we were visiting family in Oklahoma during Christmas time and I had gone with my sis-n-law to her box, she had been doing CrossFit for about a year, it was very hard and all I could think was I can’t believe I let her talk me into this! I remember doing some strict press and worked on jerks.
About a year later after running and going to the gym and not getting the results I wanted I decided to give CrossFit another try and that’s when I found CrossFit Katy. As challenging as it was and still is, I knew that’s exactly what I wanted. I don’t remember much about my first WOD at CF Katy but I was pretty much worn out after the warm up!
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF (before/after)? Since joining CrossFit Katy I’ve lost 25 lbs. I can actually see muscle I never even thought I had. My nutrition plays a big role in all of this I feel like. I have been eating a lot cleaner and trying to make healthier choices. Don’t get me wrong I do still like to occasionally indulge in a donut ( cause they are my fave ) but for the most part I try to make good choices. I feel so much stronger and have so much more energy!
What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected? I never thought I would be able to do all the lifting. It is so challenging but so rewarding all at the same time.
Name one goal you have reached since joining CFK and one goal you want to achieve (example: deadlift/squat/press ___ pounds; do a pullup; do a WOD RX’d, etc.): One of my main goals was getting my weight down and getting in better shape. I feel like I am reaching that goal every day. I just completed my first partner Girls of Summer Competition and that was so awesome! I can’t wait to do another one! I also had Pr’d my deadlift at 245# and that is something I am very proud of! Some goals I want to achieve for the year of 2016 is Toe 2 Bar, pull ups without a band and Double unders. My toes are about an inch from that bar so I will be achieving this goal very soon!
Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFK moments:
One of my favorite moments was partnering up with my husband to do the Memorial Day “Murph”!
Any advice for people just getting started? Yes it’s going to be hard and very challenging, but that’s what makes it fun. Never give up and always record your lifts!
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit?
I love spending time with my family and friends. Weekends are my favorite! Being a hairstylist is what I would call one of my talents, and I am so excited to get my career started back up in that!
ATHLETE PROFILE:
Name: Walker Matthews
Hometown: Durant, OK
Age: 33
Occupation: Sr. Project Manager for Ram Jack
When did you first start CrossFitting? Jan. 21, 2016
When did you first start training at CrossFit Katy? Jan. 21, 2016
What class do you generally attend (morning/afternoon)? 6 a.m.
Favorite WOD: I honestly like when I can feel sore for a day or two, constant reminder of the good I’m doing for myself.
Least Favorite WOD: When I was in 5th grade I had the meanest teacher named Mrs. Thurman. She was known throughout my elementary school as “The Thurmanator.” When my dad questioned me about my first report card being so poor, I gave him every excuse about why it was her fault, she was so mean, etc. Dad quickly corrected me, helped me understand that it was on me and not her. I was stuck with her for the rest of 5th, I needed to “figure out how to like her.” I finished 5th grade with great success, and Mrs. Thurman is one of my favorite teachers.
This is the same approach I use with hard or unfamiliar exercises, I figure out how to like it. I look for the benefit to me and attack it.
Tell us about you sports & fitness background: In grade school I played any sport I could. Through middle school and high school I stayed with football and basketball. In college I trained in the weight room.
How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD… what was it, and how did it feel?
3 rounds of:
1 minute max push press (95#/65#)
1 minute max russian kettlebell swings (53#/35#)
1 minute max box jumps (24″/20″)
1 minute rest
The first WOD being a “station” WOD left my impression of CrossFit to be something I could do. Little did I know that this was considered an “easy” WOD. At that point, I was motivated by my weight. It was the largest I had ever become. The scariest part for me was walking in the door. After seeing how friendly and non-judgmental everyone was, it was easy to come back. The classroom aspect of working out completely sold me. I wasn’t alone in the fight.
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF (before/after)? After 5 ½ months, I’ve trimmed 3 pants sizes and lost 52lbs. My lifestyle has changed drastically in the food I eat; I eat to live… not live to eat. Before CrossFit, I planned everything around food. Fast food was always on the menu. Being in tune with my body helps me make good decisions. I’ve found that it’s actually pretty easy to stay healthy in my diet even away from home.
What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected?
I knew getting physical activity would help me feel better, but I am completely surprised by the mental effect CrossFit has had on my psychological state. I work harder and more efficiently. I generally have a good attitude throughout the day. I’ve even noticed many differences in the ways I interact with my children. My relationships seem to be much more positive.
Name one goal you have reached since joining CFK and one goal you want to achieve (example: deadlift/squat/press ___ pounds; do a pullup; do a WOD RX’d, etc.):
I did my very first Toe to Bar a few weeks ago and just completed WOD’s with pull-ups and no band. When I first started, I saw some guys practicing muscle ups on the rings. I told myself I would be able to do one within a year of my start.
Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFK moments:
Beating Coach Mike at cornhole and watching him do 50 burpees. Felt like some kind of pay back for the pain he’s put me through. CrossFit Katy’s annual crawfish boil… good times.
Any advice for people just getting started?
KEEP GOING!! Many times in my first 2 months I wanted to stop. I constantly had to remind myself why I was doing this. The hardest battle I faced was in my head, just keep going!!
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit?
My beautiful wife and 2 wonderful children. Grilling meat, Drums, and Disc Golf
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