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Athlete Profile

Meet member Andrea!

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Name: Andrea Cocco

Age: 22

Occupation: Nursing Student (Andrea had the pleasure of having Anna as her lab partner in nursing school, or is it that Anna had the pleasure of having Anna as her partner?)

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? After playing softball in college I joined Lifetime fitness. I got so bored of doing the same thing every day that eventually I gave up on it.  (Anna was pretty persuasive too of getting Andrea out of that other gym and into CrossFit.)

CrossFitting Since: November 2012

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? The infamous Anna Bullis (yep, I have already mentioned her twice!)

Was it love at first WOD? Not really. Kettlebells and running don’t exactly tug at my heartstrings. But after my first weight lifting WOD, I was hooked.

Favorite WOD or movements? Anything with weightlifting (shocker.. I know) But specifically I like squats and cleans.  (See pictures above, the girl is a total beast and has progressed so fast!  None of us can keep up with the numbers she continues to post.)

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Running, rowing, wallballs…pretty much anything that gives tall people an advantage.

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? Describe your experience here. Seeing Anna wet her pants after doing a WOD with double unders. I haven’t laughed that hard in a while.  (Hey, it happens!  In fact there was a pretty funny video circulating this week about it. I also know for a fact that it has happened to many of our members on a weekly basis.  Just wait until you have kids Miss 21 year old.)

Why do you CrossFit? I get stressed easily from nursing school, so Crossfit is perfect. There is nothing better to make you forget about nursing interventions than not being able to breathe.

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? Most people don’t know that I have been sewing part time for my neighbors business since I was a freshman in high school.  (Yes, beastly little Andrea not only sews but she has a pet rabbit too!  She also has overcome her hatred for running, well not really, but she did complete her first 5K recently.  Proud of you Andrea!)

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Athlete Profile

Meet member Sheila!

Before we meet Sheila and read her profile I just want to take a moment to explain what a truly amazing person she is. Back in January she emailed us and explained her situation and her desperate need to get in shape. We exchanged a few emails and then she just showed up to talk in person and check out the box a day before her scheduled intro. Let’s just say I was as nervous as she was. I was nervous about her putting her trust in us. She had already committed to clean eating and now needed to add in exercise. She explained a little about her lifestyle and then we got to know even more about her. This woman is nothing short of amazing. Not only does she have huge workout goals BUT…..this is a woman that works full-time, goes to school full-time and will receive her Bachelor’s Degree in September (ahead of schedule), is a mother to 5 children and a single parent. This lady legitimately COULD use every excuse in the book…..I am too out of shape for CrossFit, I am too busy, I am too old to get in shape, my kids are busy, I can’t afford the gym, I can’t afford healthy foods, my schedule doesn’t allow me to get to a gym, I have a bad knee (in fact she had surgery in March on a Thursday and was back in the gym on MONDAY) and on and on and on. She has NEVER, EVER used any of these excuses!  Next time YOU have an excuse think of this lady who is busting her ass off (literally as you will see in the pictures) day in and day out! She has NEVER quit a WOD and never says “I can’t”. Rock on Sheila all your CrossFit Sting family loves and supports you 100%.

Name: Sheila Algammaz

Age: 47

Occupation: Phlebotomist

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? Coach Potato

CrossFitting Since: January 2013

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? My Brother in New York has been a CrossFitter for 4 yrs. He sent me a link and when I liked the site, a link to CrossFit Sting was sent to me.

Was it love at first WOD? Not so much love, but an obsession after the first week.  (Sheila was amazing during her intro WOD.  She was wheezing, beat red and out of breath but refused to stop.  I think I actually had to demand that she take a few seconds to catch her breath and then finish.  I am happy to report the wheezing only lasted about 2 weeks.  The human body is amazing and the changes have been so fast.)

Favorite WOD or movements? Michael is my favorite because it was my first RX and now that I can do burpees I actually like them……Don’t tell anyone that please!!!  (She is also deadlifting 265#, front squatting 165#, doing box jumps, handstands, running in 5k races and too many more impressive things to list.) 

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Wall Balls due to my height deficit!!!!  (Sheila is not even 5 feet tall, I think.)

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? I was the last to finish the WOD and I had 15 burpees left, everyone completed my burpees with me!!! It was really an emotional moment for me!!  (Of course, now Sheila is the pro and is the first to pay that forward and do extra work to help another CrossFitter finish the WOD.)

Describe your experience here. My experience at CrossFit Sting has been AMAZING!!! I have started a journey to a new beginning with a large amount to weight to lose and I literally feel like CrossFit Sting has saved my life!!!! Beautiful friendships have been built, and I could not have done this without Jessica and Danielle. After my intro WOD I think Danielle may have thought I may not return, now I can’t get enough.  (See above…before the intro WOD I was skeptical but from day 1 I had, and continue to have, no doubt in my mind that this lady is the most determined member we have and will meet all her goals.)

Why do you CrossFit? Because I want to be healthy and a great role model for my kids…..Plus strong is the new sexy.  (She is a HUGE role model to everyone in the gym.  Also, her daughter Ebony is  now a member and the two of them are WODing together.  It is awesome!)

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? I have my CDL drivers license, not a truck driver but I used to drive a school bus.  (Again, there is so much to this lady and I have a feeling that we will be doing a repeat on introducing her to everyone as she continues this journey to being a stronger, healthier person.  She was strong on the inside when she came to us and now she is becoming strong on the outside……and a lot smaller!  Good things come in small packages and we think we will keep this one!)

NOW CHECK HER OUT……….

The incredible shrinking woman.
The incredible shrinking woman.
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Athlete Profile

Meet member Cody 2.0

When he is not incognito he's wearing short shorts!
When he is not incognito he’s wearing short shorts!

Name: Cody Phillips aka. Cody Bear aka: 2.0

Age: 26

Occupation: Jedi Padawan

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? I played sports in high school. Was an amateur Kickboxer for a while as well as the usual weights and running.

CrossFitting Since: March 2012

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? Drove past the gym while test driving a car and thought “Hey, local box so I can start back at crossfit. I’ll look them up later.”  (We are glad you did and I am glad you lost the headphones after that first WOD, well until that bitch Fran and Murph rolled around.)

Was it love at first WOD? Heck yea! My first WOD was self led in a weight room full of Italians, Turkish, and Germans who were all staring at me like a moron as I jumped from machine to machine. I was smoked after a 10 minute workout and fell in love. (What 2.0 probably forgot to leave out was that he might have had a puking episode after the workout too!?  If that happens it usually gets better…..Cody, we are still waiting and in the mean time you know where the bucket, mop, and the water are located.)

Favorite WOD or movements? All Gymnastic movements or Olympic lifts. Favorite WOD is Diane.

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Stuff for tall people. Box jumps, wall balls, or running. GHD Back Extensions turn my legs to rubber too.

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? Describe your experience here. Getting my first ring muscle up! It’s been great here. Everyone is friendly and with no ego’s running around everyone gets along and keeps the environment positive. Negative energy is debilitating for exercise.  (2.0 might be one of the guys whose name is all over the leader board but he never fails to cheer on that last athlete to finish and offer advice and help.  Nice job.  Signed, Yoda (aka as Jedi Grand Master!)

Why do you CrossFit? It’s the type of fitness I love and need for what I do with the military.

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know?  I do Kermit the Frog and Cookie Monster impressions for my son.  (Impression soon coming to a CF box near you.)

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Athlete Profile

Meet member Cammie!

Name: Cammie Stair

Age: 32

Occupation: SAHM (stay at home mom)

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? I played soccer pretty much my entire life and even played on a few adult coed teams before having the little ones! I’ve also done the traditional big corporate gym; LifeTime, Bally Total Fitness, YMCA, etc. I’ve done group fitness classes and even Bikram yoga for a bit!

CrossFitting Since: January 2013

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? My fabulous neighbors!! I kept watching Traci Gilbertson transform into this powerhouse and thought man, I gotta try this out 😉 But, I have to admit it took me a while to build up the courage to ask her about it.  (We got a weekly play by play from Traci about her “neighbor” and are happy that you took the plunge.)

Was it love at first WOD? YES!!!!!! I walked like a robot for the entire weekend after my intro. But, I loved everything about it!!  (This seems to be VERY common among new members.)

Favorite WOD or movements?  I really like Turkish get ups…there’s something about those that just make me smile (seriously smiling is not a usual CrossFit face for me) ;). I like the Hero WODS as well…they are so mentally challenging and I really like that.

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Rope Climbs and those STINKING rings!!!! Me and the rings just aren’t friends…yet! I feel like a flimsy wet noodle every time I do a ring dip.  (Cammie just had a breakthrough last week and was not only able to hold herself on the rings but did an L sit hold and for more than a second or two!)

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? There are so many! First box jump, the week I could finally decipher every acronym on the entire whiteboard, and the first time that I actually RX’d a WOD with weight!! But, I have to say my all time favorite was my second WOD….I was the last to finish, but felt like a champ with all of the support I received from everyone around me. This was the moment that I knew CrossFit Sting was my “place”!!  (Cammie has become quite the CrossFitter in such a short time.  She always listens and is able to do exactly what we say.  You can tell that her athletic background has helped her be able to pick up the movements quickly.  This is a plus but not needed to try out CrossFit.)

Describe your experience here.  CrossFit Sting has been such an amazing experience. I remember feeling very defeated right around week 3 or 4…I felt so wimpy compared to my fellow Hens!! But, if Danielle and Jessica have taught me anything it’s that you are your own worst enemy!! I slowly started to see these improvements in everything I was doing and truly believing that there’s nothing stopping me from getting stronger and faster! CrossFit has become an addiction 😉

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Why do you CrossFit? It’s my release! I feel like as we grow in life we become so many different people; sisters, daughters, friends, wives, mothers…and it’s sometimes hard to stay connected with the person you were before all of that!! Its like the ultimate “me” time (as horribly selfish as that may sound). Oh and the physical benefits are awesome 😉  (Here is a little secret….Cammie was just on vacation and sent us a picture of her in her bikini that she said was all due to CrossFit!  She rocked it and looked so awesome.  Your hard work and healthy eating is paying off.)

Wow!   Compare this to the Deadlift "before" picture.
Wow! Compare this to the Deadlift “before” picture.

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? My hubby and I were married in Las Vegas by Elvis!!! No we didn’t elope… We had about 50 of our closest friends and relatives there to celebrate with us! It was a very entertaining Blue Hawaiian wedding!!!  (This is just soooo cool!  Check them out…..)

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