Athlete Profiles

May 2014 - Kaitlyn Mullinax

 

Name: Kaitlyn Sarah Mullinax

Nickname on the boards: Mully

Member Since: May 22, 2013 

Occupation: I'm an Account Manager at 360 Destination Group - We're a premier destination management company with a national footprint. Our office focuses on the corporate client bringing meetings and events to Chicago. From a 30 guest intimate dinner at a Park Hyatt Private Residence to 2,000 guest event at The Field Museum - we handle everything from a-z. 

Words to live by:  It's not what the world holds for you, it's what you bring to it. - LM Montgomery

Favorite quote: I have two.

1. "One cannot have too large a party" - Jane Austen 

2. "Be the change you wish to see in the world" - Ghandi 

Which also happens to be Ms. May 2013, my WCCF role model, Super G's favorite quote too..

Favorite movies: Top Gun, The Wedding Planner, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, The Blind Side

Favorite food: My family ate super healthy when I was a kid. I lost those eating habits a bit while in college and if you asked me this 7-8 months ago my answer would have been anything from Cheesies at 2:00am... However those days have come and gone. Thank goodness. My favorites now include Wild Caught Salmon, Grassfed Beef, Asparagus & Bacon Wrapped Dates  

Favorite music or artist: I'm a huge country music fan. Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan are my boys. Believe it or not, I DJ'd weddings for two years in college so I can listen and dance to just about anything. 

Favorite sport or activity: The obvious answer is competitive exercising. I love Crossfit, Olympic Weightlifting and even running. Growing up with two older brothers I've been known to hold my own in a game of two hand touch, baseball and soccer - I'll also be the first one on the dance floor. 

Sport or activity that you are training for: I'm currently training for my first competition,Trodo, and Warrior Dash in June. Also, I tend to lift a lot of random boxes while onsite at events for work. There is nothing more satisfying than being able to not only pick up a large box but also carry it farther than all of the men.  

 

Goals

Personal:  After graduating college in 2012 I landed an amazing internship with Red Frog Events. Always up for a new adventure and challenge, I jumped at the opportunity to move from California to Chicago. The 6 months I spent at RFE were unreal. I had made up my mind that if I wasn't offered a job at the conclusion of the internship I was going to stick it out in Chicago. When I didn't receive a full time offer it felt like the first time in my entire life that I had actually failed. Here I was, jobless, alone, and it was the middle of January. I had a stroke of luck and landed a job with a limo company in March. Side note - I've always been the epitome of a reach for the stars/happy/ chase your dreams kind of kid... To me, Inside Sales in a cubicle at a limo company sort of felt like a place where dreams went to die and I was actually diagnosed with situational depression. Insert crossfit as medicine here. Windy City became my home away from home. Not only was I pushing myself to get stronger and faster but I was dreaming again. The coaches and WCCF community helped me reclaim myself as well as reminded me that change is possible and failure is okay. I've since changed jobs, my eating habits, my training habits, and even some of my friends. Its my goal to continue on this path of happiness, to not sweat the small stuff, live each day to its fullest & a remember that I'm responsible for my own destiny, but that it's okay to ask for help.

 

Professional: I now love what I do. Every day is something new and exciting. I'm beginning to explore going back to school for my MBA and within the next year or so I will be working towards my CMP - Certified Meeting Planner.  

Athletic: So many things - but I'll keep this part short. Better Double Unders, more fluid Kipping pull ups, butterfly pull ups, muscle ups, a mile under 9 minutes, 220 lb back squat... Faster, Better, Stronger. 

 

I am passionate about: Making a difference in the lives of others, my family-  my parents, brothers + wives, my adorable nieces, old fashioned conversations, printing photos, inspiring creativity and living a healthy lifestyle.

Name some things we don’t know about you: 

1. I  had a pony tail that was past my butt when I was little and my brothers used to pick me up and swing me by it.

2. My dance team in high school was nationally ranked in hip hop - hope you're all prepared to bring your moves at prom!

3. I fractured my hip in a mountain biking accident and was airlifted to the hospital. 

4. When I was 16 I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome  - along with other with many other things doctors also told me that I'd have a next to impossible time losing weight... hmmm about that. Thanks Sheena! 

Adventure you are planning: I'm planning adventures everyday - but some personal ones include The WCCF Prom - May 17th, California in July with Mr. Feb and Maison for The Crossfit Games and a family trip in August to Minneapolis. 

April 2014 - Brandon House

Name: 
Brandon House

Nickname on the boards:
THE Saturation, thanks to Cheston. Look at my shirt 5 minutes into the warm up and you’ll understand. I apologize if I’ve sweat on you.

Member Since: 
February 2013

Occupation:
Art Director @ Trilogy Interactive. We’re a web shop with a niche in progressive politics.

Words to live by:  
“Details matter, it’s worth waiting to get it right.”
- Steve Jobs

Favorite quote:
Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.
-Carl Sagan

Favorite movies: 
The Big Lebowski, Anchorman, Shawshank Redemption, Silver Linings Playbook. Recently, I’ve really enjoyed Nebraska, Dallas Buyers Club and Short Term 12.

Favorite food: 
Bacon. Red Meat. Pequod’s. Craft beer. The late night burritos that result from overconsumption of said beer.

Favorite music or artist: 
My favorite band is Alkaline Trio, but my frequent plays on Spotify range from Jimmy Reed, GNR, Hot Water Music, Foster the People & Elvis Costello.

Favorite sport or activity:
I enjoy playing basketball more than any other, but since I’m not able to play much anymore, it can be a little sloppy and frustrating. I also play way too much 16” softball in the summer, so my hands will likely be arthritic very soon.

Sport or activity that you are training for:
Nothing in particular other than life. And maintaining athletic supremacy over my little man, Parker. He has a long way to go - he just PR’d on steps taken at 4. My steps taken PR, is like, WAY more than that so I think I’m good for a little while.

Goals

Personal: 
Be the best dad I can be; challenge him to learn, live actively and adventurously, inspire him creatively.

Professional:
Learn. Innovate. Stay on top of the ever-changing technologies that power the web.

Athletic:

1. Never, EVER do 14.5 again.
2. Successfully defend the Thursday night Hamlin Park 16” softball championship.
3. Avoid injury.
4. Spend more time on the mobility mat.
5. Join the muscle-up club.
6. Continue to improve my times on the benchmark workouts.
7. Stop sucking at double-unders.

I am passionate about: 
The little dude, my beautiful wife, my family, my friends, my job, traveling, health and fitness.

Name some things we don’t know about you: 
My weight has always been and will continue to be something that I battle. I’ve gained and lost 70+ pounds twice, so staying on course with my diet and training is paramount.

I’ve been lucky enough to design and build websites for some pretty high profile clients. Recent projects include The Barack Obama Foundation, Wrigley Field and the Texas Democratic Party.

Adventure you are planning: 
I have a lot going on this year. I have weddings in Charleston, SC, Key Largo and Tucson. I’m also planning in the process of planning a destination bachelor party at a TBD location. And then, the the big trip - Scotland for the Ryder Cup and Munich for Oktoberfest.

March 2014 - Jexenia Gonzalez

Name: Jexenia Gonzalez

Nickname on the boards: Jex

Member Since: Nov 2012

Occupation: Registered Nurse, specialty in ICU

Words to live by:  Never ever give up, even when your beaten to the ground, there is always room for improvement and new goals to attain. Remain humble. Fitness is a beautiful struggle. Ask questions…lots! 

Favorite quote: “The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best
of everything they just make the most of everything that comes
 along their way.”-unknown

Favorite movies: Casino, All X-men movies, Wolverine (Huge Jackman fan!!), most war movies. 

Favorite food: Lou Malnatis gluten free pizza with sausage and peppers..ughhh, let me stop while salivating.

Favorite music or artist: Love house music and most rock. Fav Dj’s anywhere from David Guetta to Swedish house Mafia…too many to list. Godsmack &Metallica.

Favorite sport or activity: well obviously Crossfit, then football;) My two favorite things in crossfit is gymnastics and oly. 

Sport or activity that you are training for: LIFE! Haha then one day I’d like to take my training up few notches and prepare for some local competitions. I’d do it mostly for myself and for fun. There is nothing better than to challenge one’s self. I don’t think just because I am getting older (ahem… just turned 29) that competitive sports should go out the window. I’m willing to put forth the effort and give it my all. 

Goals: 

Personal: Win the Eat to Perform challenge (ends April 16^th), by having the most muscle gain and body fat loss. 

Professional: Right now finishing up my BSN (bachelors in science of nursing), and hopefully continue on to become a Nurse Practitioner one day. 

Athletic: Get a muscle up!! Improve skill work in Oly. 

I am passionate about: Science and athleticism across all levels. 

Name some things we don’t know about you: 

-I have 4 tattoos☺

-I did travel Nursing for about a year and half, worked in about 9 or 10 different hospitals in 4 different states. Been a nurse for 6 years.

-Born and raised in Miami, left because I fell in love in Chicago (during a travel job) and I love this city….no regrets! 

-I hate school! Although I love learning and becoming more knowledgeable…I just hate schoolwork:/

-Been a member of 4 different crossfit gyms (2 in Florida, one in Indiana and now WCCF. WCCF is now my home)

-I have a true gluten intolerance (although I firmly believe that gluten is not made for any human to properly digest and that no one should eat it….lots of science behind the reason why but wont get into it;) 

Adventure you are planning:

-Every year I take 2-4 trips. I LOVE to travel and need small breaks from the usual routine and stress of life. Once a year I do Miami because its home.

Currently I will be in Cancun…first time ever hallelujah! I’ll try and bring back some sun;)

February 2014 - Luis Lara

 

Name: Luis Lara 

Nickname on the boards: Luis. Hornet/Meagles nicknamed me Mad Hatter fresh out of foundations but it never stuck. And now coach Sam calls me "crunches" cause I spend all my time on the abmat. Still nickname-less, suggestions are welcomed. 

Member Since: September 2012

Occupation: Sr. Marketing Manager for a global business intelligence company. I market our portfolio of spanish speaking events to fortune 500 companies operating in the Latin American region.    

Words to live by:  "you wanna a hot body, you better work b**ch" - Britney Spears 

Favorite quote: "I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." - Thomas Jefferson 

Favorite movies: I was a Cinema and Media Studies major for the first two years of my undergraduate studies (I wanted to be a cinematographer) so I love all sorts of films. I have a fascination with all Hitchcock films so two of my all time favorite movies include "Rear Window" and "Rope." As far as more contemporary films go, "American Beauty" is one of the best movies I have seen in the past 20 years. Oh yeah and "Mean Girls" - a true american classic.   

Favorite food: I love food. Pizza, burgers, chocolate, anything sweet, pasta, bacon, all types of meat, cheese, ice cream, etc. These are of course all things I eat in moderation now-a-days as my current nutrition consists of mostly grass-fed beef, delicious CJK prepared meals and lots and lots of veggies.  

Favorite music or artist: Its Britney, B**ch. Yes, I am serious. 

Favorite sport or activity: Volleyball. I've played volleyball since high school and for the past 5 years I've been playing in 2 year-round leagues in Chicago. Volleyball is one of my biggest passions in life and if I were taller I think instead of a cinematographer or history major (actual college degree) I would have been a professional volleyball player. 

Sport or activity that you are training for: Aside for ongoing volleyball training I am looking forward to starting my third oly cycle and reach the 65kg snatch and 85kg clean and jerk PRs I've been working towards for the past two cycles. I would also like to participate in the GORUCK light in April with some other WCCF peeps.  

Goals

Personal: In september 2012 I started crossfit as a way to get back in shape. I spent years developing bad eating eating habits and feeling unmotivated to workout for a variety of reasons. I didn't know what to expect from that first foundations class but crossfit had been highly recommended from various friends who raved about how competitive, social and challenging of an atmosphere crossfit community provides. All it took was one class and one terrible yet feel-great-afterwards WOD to get me hooked. When I signed up I knew that my body would change and I would lie if I said that was not one of the main reasons I joined. However, crossfit has become so much more than. The workouts and the environment allowed me to gain focus, learn to be discipline and patient, stay driven, stay positive, physically and mentally push myself, set goals and achieve them and set new goals and look forward to breaking them. Now, the physical changes are just a nice side effect of what I consider to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. Crossfit has changed my outlook on life, made me a more positive person, challenged me mentally and physically which in turn has helped me grow as a person and everyday I apply the same principles I do during a WOD to my personal and professional life. So my personal goal is to just keep getting stronger (mentally and physically), maintain a positive outlook, work hard, fight through the challenges and keep challenging myself in all aspects of life.  

 

Professional: Looking forward to pursuing a masters in marketing or an MBA in the next few years. 

Athletic: A year and a few months into crossfit and I find that everyday I have more and more to look forward to and more and more goals to achieve and challenges to overcome. I would like to do every WOD Rx, work on my muscle ups and DUs and be able to string more than two reps, beat Hornet's back squat PR (almost there), complete a russian squat cycle, finish murph in less than 45 minutes (49:52 was my first murph time), finish Fran in under 5 minutes, qualify and compete in local competitions like the Trodo League, break my oly PRs and get faster, stronger, more efficient and of course more jack'd.  

I am passionate about: Aside from family, friends, movies volleyball and most recently crossfit I love to cook and bake. I can cook everything from Cuban food to Italian food and most recently lots and lots of paleo inspired meals. I've also been told that I make the best flan in Chicago...if anyone wants to test that out just let me know and I'd be happy to make you a believer.     

Name some things we don’t know about you: 

1. I can't do a double under to save my life (actually some of you might know this from seeing my poor attempts during the WODs) 

2. I can't swim 

3. My parents and I left Cuba on a raft when I was ten years old. We got picked up by the coast guard and I spent 11 months in Guantanamo bay before finally making it to the US (probably the reason why I don't like large bodies of water and swimming) 

 

Adventure you are planning: Its been my dream for quite some time to travel to Machu Picchu and spend a few days hiking Machu Picchu, the surrounding Inca trails and the Andes. Although I've never been I think its a beautiful part of the world and my ideal trip would consist of a backpack tour of Peru, Chile and Ecuador. I also have plans to visit Cuba in the near future, I haven't been back since my family and I left 18 years ago but I can't wait to go back. 

 

 

 

January 2014 - Mary Burke

Name: Mary Burke

Nickname on the boards: MB

Member Since: February 2012

Occupation: Marketing director at a pharmaceutical company

Words to live by: This year I think that my words to live by were, “Everything is modifiable”.  When I found out in early June that I had a stress fracture in my foot, I was traumatized by the thought of spending a sedentary summer in a walking boot.  After a couple days of wallowing in self-pity, I dragged myself into WCCF to see what options I had.  I realized that there was actually a LOT that I could still do and, with the help of our amazing coaches, was able to continue to do modified WODs throughout the 9 weeks I had to wear the boot.  While my realization this year that “everything is modifiable” was specific to CrossFit, I think that it also has a much broader application in life.

Favorite quote: “A goal is a dream with a deadline.” –Napoleon Hill

Favorite movies: I don’t see a lot of movies but when I do my favorites run the spectrum from thrillers to comedies.  I think that I missed my calling to be a CIA agent (the FBI intrigues me, too), so I loved Zero Dark Thirty.  In addition, Tommy Boy and Bridesmaids are two classic favorites at which I laugh hysterically every time I see them.

Favorite food: I have many favorite foods and love to try new restaurants but I’d have to say that sushi and chocolate top the list.

Favorite music or artist: My iPod has a mix of everything from alternative to 80s music, pop to classic rock.  Country is really the only thing that doesn’t make the cut.

Favorite sport or activity: I love CrossFit, running, volleyball, tennis, hiking, traveling and walking my dog.

Sport or activity that you are training for: I usually do a couple mid-distance runs every year (Soldier Field 10 Miler, Hot Chocolate 15K, etc.) and would like to work on improving my pace.  I also definitely want to do Murph this year.  I’ve been a WCCF member for almost two years but have had other commitments both Murph weekends.  I’m going to mark my calendar early this year and make it a priority!

Goals

Personal: No injuries in 2014!  I also want to try to stress less about the daily ups and downs of life.  I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist and get worked up when things don’t go as planned, so I need to learn to start embracing life’s imperfections.

Professional: I took on a new role within my company in August, so my immediate goal is to make an impact in my new position.  However, my real passion at work is people development.  Nothing is more rewarding to me than coaching someone to the next level in their career.

Athletic: I want to start pushing myself more in the WODs to do them as prescribed (or at least close to it); sometimes I default to choosing a weight that I know that I can confidently do instead of challenging myself.  I’d also love to be able to do unassisted pull-ups but that’s a longer-term goal!

I am passionate about: Family, friends, my dog and my cat.

Name some things we don’t know about you: I mentor a girl through Big Brothers Big Sisters, which has been as much of a learning experience for me as it has been for her.  I’ve run the Chicago Marathon twice.  The Amazing Race is one of my favorite TV shows; my dream is to compete on it someday.

Adventure you are planning: I usually try to take one international vacation every year.  I haven’t yet decided on a destination for 2014 but Greece and Spain are at the top of my list.

December 2013 - John Koltse

Name: John Koltse

Nickname on the boards: Koltse, or if you are feeling especially reverential, The OB Warrior will do just fine as well. 

Member Since: January 2008. Thanks to Ferrari's recent retirement/hiatus I believe I am currently the longest active member of WCCF.  It's like they always say, "Its better to just keep showing up, than to be any good," or something like that. 

Occupation: Project Engineer at Century Plating Company. Switched careers about a year and a half ago to start working for the family businesses that my grandfather started in the 50's. It's been a challenge in a lot of respects but I'm energized by the opportunity to re-invent my professional-self. 

Words to live by: “I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself.”  My man D.H. Lawerence said that.

Favorite quote: "So Shines a Good Deed in a Weary World” --Willy Wonka to Charlie when he returns the everlasting gobstopper, and stolen from Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice: "How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world."

Favorite movies: Not sure if these are my favorites, but in order of most watched in my life it goes: Big Lebowski, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Apocalypse Now, The NeverEnding Story, and The Blues Brothers.     

Favorite food: Pizza, deep dish pizza, pan pizza, new york style pizza, thin crust pizza, personal pizzas when I read enough books through Book It!, and whiskey. For fear of ending up like Pizza the Hut, I limit my intake to 1 paltry pizza per week. The rest of the time I eat grass fed free range nonGMO organic fair trade whatever that is flown to my house according to migratory bird flight patterns from a source no further than a half a days flight away, which is then turned into a smoothie from a special blender that I invented to dispose of any genetic material that has not existed to humans for at least 1.6 million years. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you'd like to invest in Koltse brand Paleo Slurry.  

Favorite music or artist:  The Stooges, Big Black, Shellac, Oblivians, The Gories, Quintron and Ms. Pussycat (a Jeneral favorite!) and a lot of metal and stoner-rock (not a Jeneral favorite).  

 

Favorite sport or activity: Surfing, Soccer, CF/Oly Lifting, Tennis, Skiing. Somehow I ended up liking a bunch of euro-centric sports. 

Sport or activity that you are training for:  Finding a solution to my various recurring  injuries, then taking on The Open, then earning my WCCF OLY Singlet (200# Snatch/250# Clean and Jerk), but really just being able to enjoy random sports and outdoor activities throughout my life.   

Goals

Personal:  Be willing to take on new challenges, learn, and adapt so that my life and important relationships don't become comfortable routines.  

Professional:  Keep the family business rolling through the 3rd generation. 

Athletic:  Staying Hipster-Stronger than BC.  I believe most people would say I have achieved one half of that feat, I'll let you guess which half. Other than that, just to keep showing up and trying out new endeavors whether it be inside the gym or out. 

I am passionate about: Family, friends, taking intramural coed recreational sports that I am terrible at way too seriously, traveling, and most of all, hanging out with my awesome wife.  

Name some things we don’t know about you:  I like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and hate yoga, especially hot yoga. Halloween is my favorite holiday, mostly cause its my anniversary too.     

Adventure you are planning:   Heading to New Zealand for a friend's wedding in March; fixing up my 1974 Chevy G-10 Van and driving it somewhere besides my friend's driveway that its been sitting in for the last year and half, and hopefully find some of the unexpected adventures hidden in everyday life.   

November 2013 - Emily Burge

Name: Emily Burge

Nickname on the boards: Emily, Emily B, or Burge (sorry, no nickname)

Member Since: August 2012

Occupation: Human Resources Generalist

Words to live by: As you have the opportunity, do good unto all people.  

Favorite quote: “Don’t let the things you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden

Favorite movies: This is a movie from a few years back but it is called Nowhere in Africa (not to be confused with Out of Africa).

Favorite food: Coconut butter, peanut M & M’s, steak

Favorite music or artist: This is a tough one, I don’t really have a favorite.  Growing up I would say I listened mostly to alternative.

Favorite sport or activity: Well, I really do love Oly!  It’s always challenging me.  I also enjoy Crossfit, running, and just good old-fashioned walking.

Sport or activity that you are training for:  I’m not training for a specific event, just training for my own personal goals and fitness.

Goals
Personal:  To be more patient, kinder and gentler; not only with others but with myself too.

Professional:  I work in the human resources department for a clean energy company (wind and thermal energy).  My main responsibility is administering the benefits for the company.  It’s a great company and I am thankful to have such a good job.  At this time, I’m not really looking for anything else.

Athletic: My main athletic goals right now are to just get stronger.  Prior to WCCF, all I did was run and I didn’t do any type of weight training so I didn’t have much strength to start with.  I want to continue to improve on my snatch and clean and jerk.  I definitely need a stronger squat.  I’m also after that elusive pull-up and need to learn how to kip.  While I still have a ways to go, I’m a long way from where I started.

I am passionate about: My faith is the most important thing in my life. 

Name some things we don’t know about you:

I tried to quit the gym after my first day.  I misunderstood the contract and thought I could never leave the gym without paying a 2 month penalty unless I moved 50 miles away or got seriously injured.  That’s when I met Justin.  He cleared up my understanding of the contract and I felt a little embarrassed. 

Adventure you are planning: I don’t have any big trips planned but everyday is an adventure for me, I ride the CTA.

October 2013 - Mike Turner

Name: Mike Turner

Nickname on the boards: Hooch

Member Since: Foundation’s Nov. 2012

Occupation: Technology Sales

Words to live by: My dad once told me that you can be friends with everyone until you have to lead them.  Then you have to be a role model, someone they look up to, respect, fear and sometimes hate.  But no matter what you still have to remain in the trenches with them leading by example and working hard towards a common goal.

Favorite quote: I would like to be remembered as a man who had a wonderful time living life, a man who had good friends, fine family - and I don't think I could ask for anything more than that, actually. “Frank Sinatra”

Favorite movies: I love watching movies, good and bad.  Some of my all-time fav’s are, The God Father 1 & 2, Top Gun, In the name of Father, 300, any James Bond film.  

Favorite food: The better question is what food isn’t my favorite I’m have Italian and grew up around my grandmother cooking on Sunday and to this day my favorite things to eat are homemade pasta and sugo (Italian for sauce) and pizza.  But as mentioned I don’t discriminate, I also love sushi and my fair share of steak!

Favorite music or artist: Let’s see, I have pretty eclectic tastes ranging from old school metal bands to new school country and even newer school house music.  Some of my all time favorites are Mega Death, Van Halen (David Lee Roth over Sammy Hagar), Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sinatra and The Zac Brown Band.   

Favorite sport or activity: My absolutely favorite sport is volleyball, I played competitively with a travel club teams for years and missed an opportunity to play D1 (missed open tryouts due to partying the night before, opps!).  I also have a place in my heart for cycling, football (PRO), baseball (when the Cubs are decent) and obliviously CrossFit.  CrossFit has been the catalyst for a renewed fire of completion that I have missed since I have stopped play club volley ball and racing bycycles.

Sport or activity that you are training for: The next thing on my sports or activity bucket list is doing a GORUCK Heavy (24+ hour endurance event) as some maybe aware a few of us from the Box have been doing this GORCUK stuff and it has become pretty addictive.  We actually are starting some programing with J$ with the goal of doing a 48 hour event such as SEALFIT Kokoro or GORCUK Selection.  One other thing that I’m not specially or directly training for but really have a desire to do better at is the Open this year.  

Goals
Personal: To always be making gains with my health and fitness.  This is something that has become very important since the birth of my daughter 2.5 yrs. ago.  Since starting CrossFit I have lost ~50 lbs. and feel strong than I have in 15 years.

Professional:  This one is easy, I want to be retired and fiscally abundant by the time I’m 55.  This would allow me to travel with my family and not have to worry about having to be a work on Monday.

Athletic: All goals in this department really are focused around CrossFit, for the most part.  I have been working towards a 125kg clean and jerk and a 100kg snatch and to this day looking for that elusive first muscle-up.  I have made progress at both of these and am in striking distance of all three goals.  

As mentioned earlier one of my biggest goals is to finish a 48hr endurance event like GORUCK Selection or SEALFIT Kokoro.

Finishing in the top 25% of the 40 – 44 master group would be a good result with the top 10% being my ultimate goal while in the age class.

I am passionate about: First and foremost my family, especially my wife and daughter.  My mom and dad are also a huge part of my life and attribute the man I am today (when I’m actually a nice respectable guy) to both of my parents. I couldn’t have gotten where I am today without their support and wisdom!

Other things I’m passionate about is anything I happen to be doing in life, whether it be a new hobby, work, etc…  I always try to live life to the fullest and throw everything at whatever I am doing at that moment; I have the attention span of a gnat so sometime that isn’t that long!

 
Name some things we don’t know about you: This is a tough one as I am an open book and tend to over share way too much.  Not to mention I don’t find myself all that interesting so why would anyone else   

I guess one of the things that sometimes people don’t know is that I love to give and be generous.  There is something about the feeling of generosity that can’t be mimicked both on giving and receiving side.  I think it is everyone’s responsibilities to show generosity to each other help those that sometimes can’t help themselves.

Adventure you are planning:  Nothing specifically planned as of yet for the immediate future as it takes a little more planning now with a young daughter.  We are however looking at going on our first Disney adventure whether that is a cruise, Disney World in FL.  My wife and I also are trying to figure out when we can break away for a couple weeks to go on Safari in Africa.  This has been a long time dream of mine that went unfulfilled in my single years (all 39 of them).

September 2013 - Katie Copp

Name: Katie Copp

Nickname on the boards: Copper 

Member Since: January 2012

Occupation: Sales Rep for Dearborn National

Words to live by:  "Work hard, keep your mouth shut, and good things will happen".  George Perles -Former MSU head football coach

These words were also reiterated over and over again by my father.  Mostly,  for me to keep my mouth shut which I have a hard time doing to this very day. 

Favorite quote: "Worrying does not empty tomorrow of your troubles, it empties today of it's strength".  Something I need to tell myself everyday!

Favorite movies: I don't see a ton of movies but I love comedies: Old School, Dumb and Dumber, Bridesmaids, Anchorman, oh and one romantic movie, Love Actually. 

Favorite food: This is hard because I love to eat!  I think my absolute favorite is pizza followed by Mexican and sushi. I also love a good burger.  I'm also pretty obsessed with Scooters custard....did I mention I love to eat? 

Favorite music or artist: I am a music junkie!  My absolute favorite band is Incubus but I love all alternative rock and indie rock music.  You'll also find some country and of course some top 40 on my Ipod.  I will also admit that I have a lof ot "boy bands" music, especially the good stuff form the 90s.  I'm still hoping for Boy Band Tuesday before Epic Wednesday.   So far, the coaches don't think that sounds like a good idea?!?!

Favorite sport or activity: I grew up playing basketball my entire life so that is my absolute favorite.  I also love crossfit, volleyball (both indoor and beach), softball, skiing, running, traveling, and shopping (that's an activity right?)

Sport or activity that you are training for: By the time this posts, I'll have run the SeaWheeze half marathon in Vancouver.  Every year, I run a few distances races.  I try and stay in good enough shape to be able to run a few 10 mile and Half Marathons each year. 

Goals
Personal: To be a positive person each day and stop worrying about things that may or may not happen. 

Professional: I sell group insurance  (dental, life, disability) for the sister company of Blue Cross/Blue Shield to companies through a broker channel.  So exciting right?  I actually love it.  Being in sales isn't always easy, but I think that challenge is why I love it so much.  I'm always striving to be the best and learn from each experience that comes my way.  One thing I like about my job is that no day is ever the same.  Even though you may see the same people over and over again, each case presents  new and unique challenges.

Athletic: I played basketball for almost half of my life, all year long.  When I gave that up, I didn't think I would find a sport/activity that would challenge me the way basketball did.  I took up distance running for the first 8 years that I lived in Chicago but found that I got really bored with that.  I would run for hours but never felt like I was in great shape and my times never improved.  I started crossfit about 1.5 years ago and although I was intimated by some of these movements, I found something that I loved and could see myself improving each week.  The one thing about this sport is that you can always work on something and one day I'll string together 50 double unders without dropping my rope in frustration or cursing at it. 

I am passionate about:  My family and friends.  I have been really blessed with the support system that I have in my life.  I have great parents and grandparents , aunts and uncles who have always supported me in my life.  I'm also really lucky to have some extended family in the Chicago area.  Although I'm from Michigan, I have a sister and brother in law who live in the burbs and four cousins who live in Chicago.  I've also made some great friends since moving here and a lot of them have come from WCCF.  The one thing I love about crossfit is the community and that's what really keeps me coming back each day.  You get a great workout and get to see great people daily.  I'm also really passionate about my Spartans (Michigan State) and was actually really surprised Justin approved me as the AOM since he is my arch nemesis for half of the year. Go State!

Name some things we don’t know about you: I'm originally from Novi, MI which is a suburb of Detroit and moved to Chicago right after I graduated from MSU. I grew up down the street from Tingwall. I've run 8 marathons and over 40 half marathons/10 miler/Ragnar relays in the last 10 years.  I may be addicted to Lululemon....  Most people would also be shocked to know that I used to sing in middle school/high school and occasionally sang the National Anthem before my basketball and volleyball home games.  I also used to dance tap, jazz, and ballet for 10 years and competed with a dance group for 5 of those years.  However, if you saw me out dancing now you would ever know that I had any professional training. 

Adventure you are planning: I just booked a trip to Oktoberfest in Munich at the end of September and then to Prague for a few days.  I've never been to either place so I'm really excited to check out two new cities, drink a lot of beer, and eat a lot of gluten!  I'm also hoping to get out West for some skiing sometime next winter since I didn't make it out there in 2012.

August 2013 - Ben Holmgren

Name: Ben Holmgren

Nickname on the boards: Sniper  

Member Since: My free intro to Crossfit and WCCF was with Will Howard in March 2012.

Occupation: I'm an associate in a wealth management practice at Merrill Lynch.  I basically help run the behind the scenes action of a team that mainly works with individuals who have $10million or more in investable assets.  It's something new every day and never boring!

Words to live by: There's a short excerpt of a poem that's carved into the wall of the New Jersey Transit Lounge in New York's Penn Station that has stuck with me:

i have seen many suns

use

the endless succession of hours

piled upon each other

Favorite quote: Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. -Buddha

Favorite movies: Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction, WALL-E, Spirited Away, Goodfellas, Inception

Favorite food: My indulgences are: almost anything pig, dark chocolate & cheetos.

Favorite music or artist: Recently i've listened to a lot of: the new Daft Punk album, Frank Ocean, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The XX, Flying Lotus, J-Dilla.

Favorite sport or activity: I'm pretty in to this whole Crossfit thing, but I think one of the biggest rewards that comes from the time i spend at WCCF is the ability to express my fitness elsewhere.  I've been able to do things like GORUCK and Tough Mudder, and have really enjoyed being better at downhill skiing and beer league softball.

Sport or activity that you are training for: a GORUCK event to be named later, annual ski trip out west, beer league softball, life.

Goals
Personal: Be the best husband I can be, spend time with family and friends, manage my time better and be more mindful of the present

Professional: Long term I don't have a good specific answer, except to provide for my family, be challenged and enjoy what I do. 

Athletic: Improve my false and hook grips, do 100 double unders in a minute, clean 225lb and I have lots of Mobility work to do.

I am passionate about: Learning, Family, Friends, Food, Crossfit

Name some things we don’t know about you:
Meagles knows this story but I'm sharing anyway:

The first step I made towards joining WCCF happened in a parking lot in Green Lake, Wisconsin on our wedding day October 1st 2011.  On the walk from my hotel room to meet my groomsmen before heading to the Church I pulled up with a knee injury.  Walking, in a flat parking lot, in my tux on my way to get married, I hurt my knee causing me to limp around for most of my wedding day (at least until the alcohol kicked in at the reception).  Later in the day while we were taking some pictures our photographer seriously asked one of my groomsmen if I had a prosthetic leg!  I had basically been sedentary for the better part of 5 years at this point and not soon after decided that needed to change.  After my sprained knee healed, I learned about Crossfit and now the only time I walk a little funny is as I get out of a chair on the 2nd and 3rd days after we do Karen.

Adventure you are planning: My wife is due with our first kiddo in about 3 weeks!  So this whole new parents thing is the biggest adventure on our list these days.