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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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Athlete Profile

Meet member Marcus!

Marcus was in the "Fran" spirit!  This was stapled to the back of his shirt.
Marcus was in the “Fran” spirit! This was stapled to the back of his shirt.

Name: Marcus Kingsley

Age: in my 20’s….plus tax….OK..I hit the big 4-0 last month.

Occupation: CEO of a software company. Just a title, I basically make the coffee every morning. Good coffee too.  (Hmmm….well one of your coaches is a coffee drinker, why have you not brought her any?)

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit?  I played Wii sports (pretty good standard..I can open a can of whoop on my 9 yr old)…plus I play in a football league..proper football that is…you may know it as ‘soccer’. I’ve also been known to frequent another local gym for various bootcamps and martial arts training.

CrossFitting Since: Feb 2013

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting?  My wife suggested I try it…do you think I should read anything into that?  (Was your pay back bringing her in this week to do Murph with you as her first WOD, well played, Marcus, well played.)

Was it love at first WOD?  More like WTF. Actually it started off so well…I arrived to see a truck in the car park covered with Dutch Monkey Donut signs..I thought now this is the type of gym I could really get into if they offer free donuts. Sadly, it was an evil ploy…no donuts.

Favorite WOD or movements?  I like the cardio exercises…I’m not bad at running so can deal with those. Also pretty keen on the rowing too…I close my eyes and go to my happy place!  (Funny for someone with a bad habit like yours does well at the straight “cardio” WODs.)

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Burpees naturally…I suspect it is an exercise that was created by someone who as a child, pulled the wings off butterflies. I’d also prefer to stick sharp objects into my eyes than do overhead squats (OHS)…all in all, the weights part is my weakest area..I have arms like a T-Rex!

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment?  So many of them…mainly 7.31am every day when I know I’m done for the day. Just joking, I love it really…has to be the moment when I actually woke up (at 6am) looking forward to a workout..at this point I have to give a shout out to the rest of the cool class….they are a big part of why I enjoy coming to the ‘hive’ (aside from the daily conversations about bodily fluids etc).  (Marcus is frequently the ONLY male amongst a bunch women at the 6:30am class that have decided that no topic is inappropriate to discuss around a male.  PLEASE, we need more testosterone at the 6:30 am classm stat!)

Describe your experience here.  Well apart from the disappointment of no free donuts (and no smoking lounge!) it has surpassed my expectations. Love the group, love the instructors and love the variety of every days WOD. I have a low boredom threshold so it turns out Crossfit is ideal for me (think Forrest Gump…Crossfit is like a box of chocolates…you never know what you’re gunna get!). But beware….it’s like a cult with hidden powers…when I started I was resolute that I would only come 3 times a week max….then it slid to 4 times and now, there have been weeks when I’m there 5 times!

Why do you CrossFit?  It’s ‘Yin and Yan’…I do it to balance out the other not so good elements of my lifestyle…..OK…I’m a smoker…there, I said it..plus I have a Starbucks addiction!

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know?  I’ve met the Queen (I mean of England..not Oprah or similar). I’m not exactly on her speed dial or Christmas card list but nonetheless, we exchanged brief pleasantries so it counts.

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Athlete Profile

Meet member Kara!

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Name: Kara

Age: 30

Occupation: Part time RN, Full time Mom. I current work Labor and Delivery at Northside as well as at Atlanta Center for Reproductive Medicine in their OR. (We might have to require that our pregnant CrossFitters are in Kara’s classes when they get into their final weeks, just sayin’) I spend half of my work days helping people get pregnant and the other half delivering babies. Then my home days are spent with Olivia and Caroline, my own little reproductions.  (These little reproductions, or living dolls, can be seen in the box quite often and we are so glad they are finally warming up to us!  Just in time for kids classes soon!)

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit?  In my younger years I did everything, but never had a passion for anything until I was in college and was on a Crew team. Sadly, that was my last dedication to any activity. In more recent years I kept a gym membership which I would infrequent. I think I have tried every class possible, but nothing ever kept my attention.  (Kara really is an excellent rower so if you need ANY tips Kara is your girl, plus she’s really tall so that helps with rowing.)

CrossFitting Since: January 2013

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting?  I have a cousin who used to own a CrossFit in Alpharetta that Danielle and Jessica were a part of. I contacted him one day after looking at all of his CrossFit pics and he gave me the run down of every box in the area. Within minutes he had contacted Sting and I had the intro appointment set up. The ball started rolling so fast that I didn’t even have time to over think (or back out of) what I was doing. That’s how I knew it was meant to be.  (Very true story, we were all contacting each other simultaneously she didn’t have a choice.  Still wondering what the “blurb” about us said in  the run down of the area boxes.  However, very glad that you chose us.)

Was it love at first WOD? Yes, and I am not lying. When I woke up the next day and could barely move I had a smile on my face from ear to ear. I knew this was what was going to turn things around for me. I remember one night being in so much pain and praying that I could walk in the morning so that I could go back. I love hard work and I still get butterflies in my stomach before every WOD. It’s definitely love!

Favorite WOD or movements? I secretly like the really long WODs. I love looking at the board and thinking there is no way in hell I will finish this and then totally surprising myself. I like the weights, kettle bells, the GHD, wall balls, running and rowing now of course.  (Does this mean that you secretly love the Air Force WOD and can’t wait to repeat that one?)

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Hahaha, this is a no brainer. Anyone who has done a WOD with me knows I dislike jumping. This includes jumping rope, box jumps, lateral jumps, broad jumps, frog jumps, those PVC jumps… Did I miss any? I dislike them mainly because I am nearly six feet tall and feel like it should be easy, but I truly suck at it. I will get over it eventually. I’m also not a fan of sit ups, but mainly because I keep a purple/raw backside. I swear my sacrum is deformed. The more sit ups I do the more I feel a small tail beginning to form. Ha, I’m going to stop there.  (Here is a picture of Kara’s homemade box for her to practice on at home, notice the writing on top…….Today I will not be defeated by inanimate objects!)

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Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? When we repeated our intro WOD. I know I have improved over my three months but this was the first real proof of it. It wasn’t just the improvement in time and weight, it was remembering how I felt after that first WOD and the anticipation and excitement of reaching a point where I could RX and be able to function afterwards. To get to that point in three months just blows my mind. And it wasn’t just my own personal achievement, it was everyone’s. To see so many people improve and so many people truly proud of their accomplishment was very powerful.

Why do you CrossFit? I CrossFit because I am addicted. I love the way it makes me feel. Being new to the area I sought out Crossfit at what I feel was a low point in my life. We had recently moved away from all of our family and friends, we had new jobs, new school, new house and I missed the old and comfortable like crazy. I felt depressed, gained 10 lbs and decided something had to change. I even saw a therapist, but after she fell asleep during our session (true story) I decided I’d try something else. Then I found you guys and three short months later I am loving it here. My outlook has entirely changed I feel empowered and strong and I have met so many amazing people. I also love that my girls get to be a part of it and witness what a positive influence a healthy lifestyle can be.  (Kara has really jumped in full force, she rarely misses a WOD and has been eating clean since she started.  If anyone wants any tips or recipe ideas she would be a good contact in addition to a few other members.)

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know?  I am studying to take the GRE and it’s the worst part of applying for school. I have hopes of starting my WHNP (Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner) program next Spring. I really enjoy being in school and I am getting the itch, weird I know! Before I went to nursing school I studied Forensic Anthropology and spent a lot of time on body farms and with cadavers. People always find that interesting… or disgusting.

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Athlete Profile

Meet Member Pierce

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Name: Pierce Herrin

Age: 29

Occupation: Credit Manager for an automotive paint distributor

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? Oh, let me count the ways…. I started playing football when I was six years old for a father with a penchant for strength training; believing there was never a substitute for strength. Once I got to varsity level play, I was in our fieldhouse daily with the team doing olympic lifts, runs, body lifts (sound familiar?) and doing it all as a unit. I loved every minute of it. During college, I joined a barbell club and later bounced around every globe-o-gym around trying to replicate the same experience and physical wellness I had earlier. For 10 years, I never found what I was looking for and just ended up with wasting a lot of money.

CrossFitting Since: January 2013

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? I’m the lucky winner of the Dutch Monkey CrossFit Sting Challenge (Thanks Arpana!!!).  (For those of you that didn’t know we ran a Facebook contest with Dutch Monkey Doughnuts asking why you should receive a free month of CrossFit.  Most likes to the comment was the winner, which was Pierce.  Go like our page since now every time we hit 100 new likes we will give away something again!  Go like DMD’s page while you’re at it too!)

Was it love at first WOD? I would say love at 2nd WOD. Running the intro-WOD, I really didn’t get the community feel that I love so much about our WODs.

Favorite WOD or movements? Grace. Good, old-fashioned lifting. Lots and lots of lifting. And any 1RM day.

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Running, pull-ups, running, burpees (this is getting less and less on my hated list for some reason) running, kettlebell swings – just because it really hurts when you have bad form, and oh, did I mention running? Lets not forget anything that will cause Danielle to have to catch me from falling because I passed out.  (Thankfully you didn’t really pass out but I do believe you were pretty close!  You have been working really hard and we are proud of you.  Glad you took the plunge not knowing any members and trusting that we would take care of you and make you a part of our community.)

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? It’s hard to narrow down to just one. Having such a good CrossFit Total so many years after powerlifting actively; shaving 7 minutes off my intro-WOD time; and simply this fantastic community we are building. Makes me smile the encouragement and motivation we give each other on a daily basis.  (You re-doing your intro WOD is one of OUR favorite moments at Sting!)

Why do you CrossFit? I CrossFit to better myself, to live longer and fuller, and to maintain the temple my God has blessed me with. I CrossFit because it’s fun, it pushes me, and wears me out. I CrossFit because it helps me and allows me to help others. I CrossFit because I love it and it is what I need. -Sorry, this question was begging for a mantra 🙂

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? My family raised cattle while I was growing up (for fun, mind you, not for a living) and while I tagging a calf, its mother came up and bit me in the rear end. I promptly jumped up and punched her in the head, breaking my hand.

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Athlete Profile

Meet member Michelle….AND BIRTHDAY BOY JOE!

Since they BOTH returned their profiles the same day, they are a very cute couple AND it’s Joe’s birthday…..let’s meet them BOTH!  Usually, it’s ladies first but today it is birthday boy answers first.

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Name: Joe Nakanishi
Name: Michelle Roushey

Age: 41 TODAY (Happy Birthday Day to YOU!)
Age: 39

Occupation: Database administrator
Occupation: Full time job in Inside Sales, full time mom, cook, taxi driver…etc etc etc

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? A brief membership at Lifetime fitness, jogging, not much.
Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? I always would look for the easy fix and kept trying crazy diets. Started walking/running about 2 miles a day during lunch about two years ago and then in the past year, I have pretty much done nothing except gain 30 pounds.

CrossFitting Since: Feb 2013
CrossFitting Since: Feb 2013

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? Michelle knew Traci and she made me come.  (I think Michelle is still MAKING you come to CrossFit, when can we catch you smiling during a WOD?)
How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? I saw some posts and pictures on Traci Gilbertson’s facebook and I broke down and messaged her to please help and tell me about CrossFit because I needed to find something to get me out of my unhealthy misery. (I do believe the misery is over, what a change you have made in the gym the last few weeks, pushing harder and maybe even having a little fun?)

Was it love at first WOD? Lol, no. Not at all. I was sore for two days after the intro and could barely walk the next day.
Was it love at first WOD? Absolutely NOT and at times it is still a love/hate relationship, but becoming more love than hate. (See above comment, we see more love too.)

Favorite WOD or movements? PVC warm ups, laying on ground gasping for breath every WOD (see most of my pics). Seriously I’d say Air Force because I didn’t think I was going to finish it.  (You mean like this picture…….

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Favorite WOD or movements? My favorite WOD was doing my Intro again to see if I had any improvements. I was able to increase my wall ball weight 4 pounds, move up to a 35 pound kettle bell, did REAL box jumps and was able to decrease my time, which was completely unexpected.  (Michelle, you kicked that WODs booty.)

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Overhead squats…mostly because I fall over when I do them.
Least favorite WOD or Movements? This is a no brainer…I despise wall balls and burpees (unless taped to Joe doing them, lol) and the Air Force WOD. Air Force WOD was the first time I thought I was going to have to quit and not finish.(I thought Michelle was going to punch me in the face or tell me to shove CrossFit up my a$$ when I tried to encourage her.) I was able to pull through but would prefer to NEVER have to do it again (hint hint). OH and most recently, rowing has become one of my least favorite things to do because my butt does not stay on the seat…get me some velcro and maybe I will change my mind!! 

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? Describe your experience here. This last week with Coaches appreciation day and the Wedding WOD. It was great to meet everyone and see those we noon time people have only met a couple of time. Everyone at Crossfit Sting is encouraging, kind and generous. You all are a great group of people.  (We couldn’t agree more with you Joe, now you need to start to recruiting more people to the noon class!)
Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? Describe your experience here. Believe it or not, I have a lot of favorite Sting moments (some wouldn’t be able to tell with all my whining I do during each class). One of them being when I was finally able to get over the mental challenge and did my first box jump. I also completely loved this past week. Meeting all the other members that make up this amazing CrossFit family. The Wedding WOD has now taken the lead as my favorite!

Why do you CrossFit? Michelle makes me.  (Guess we know who wears the pants in this relationship.)
Why do you CrossFit? Because I need to be able to get back into all the clothes that are hanging in my closet and need to be able to feel good in a wedding dress next May 🙂 And more seriously, I needed to find a way to get healthy and start feeling better about myself…crying every morning while trying to get ready for work was getting me nowhere!  (Michelle is looking awesome!)

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? I secretly love burpees (especially taped to Michelle), thrusters, and wall balls.
Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? I am a divorced mother of 3 and have been in a way, given a second chance at life after meeting the love of my life, Joe! Together we have 5 kids ranging from 7 to 16 years old and I can’t wait to finally call him my husband in May of 2014.  (I smell another wedding WOD coming on, these two really liked being tied up, I mean taped together.)

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WOD

A GREAT BIG THANKS AND….This is CrossFit!

So we have had a few days to recover from the shock we received on Wednesday.  It started with a text at 10:30pm Tuesday night stating it was “Coach Appreciation Day” tomorrow and we were required to be at EVERY class for the day.  I (Danielle) heard my phone when the text came through but didn’t look at it right away.  Jessica called me and said, “um what is this text, I am not going to the 6:30am class.”  After some strong persuasion from one Traci Gilbertson, we agreed that we would BOTH be there. I pulled up at about 6:15 to a parking lot of people that were WAY too cheery all wearing black and yellow.  From shirts to head bands, socks and antennae.  It was quite a site to see. However, I was not allowed to enter.  Why, you ask?  We needed to wait on Jessica. Here was what went down….

There were black and yellow streamers, tables with food and……gifts!  Lots of gifts, so we thought at the time.  Little did we know that this was JUST the beginning.  We then entered the actual workout area where the floor was COVERED with balloons, more streamers on the pull-up rig and OH MY GOSH, they wrote on the floor WITH the chalk for our hands.  “Who is going to clean this up” Jessica blurted out, as she knew that this was what the expected response would be!

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After being totally overwhelmed and taking it all in, it was time to meet Fran!  Thanks to one Cody 2.0, who else would pick Fran for their birthday WOD.  Yes, appreciation day and a birthday WOD in the same day.  The 6:30 class killed Fran, literally, all decked out.  Marcus got in the spirit…..

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What a great time we had with the “cool kids” class as the resident doughnut maker has named it.  Arpana, Elly, Emily H, Kathie, Lindsey, Cristina, Andrea and Marcus were the first class to tackle Fran.  Oh yea, the resident doughnut maker’s kid, Ashni, also known as the 6:30 mascot got into the spirit as well.  Look how cute she is….

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After the 6:30 class WOD we then had our first “treats” which consisted of Dutch Monkey Doughnuts (of course), fruit and we may or may not have had mimosas.

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Time for the early morning risers to get on with their day.  Next up was the 8am class with Joy, Max, Brooke and Colin.  Again, the pattern repeats with more spirit as they all had on black and yellow too.  They got to meet Fran and more champagne and doughnuts were consumed. Next up the 9:30 “hens” as Max likes to call them.  Even more impressive outfits of black and yellow.  Striped tights and head bands were seen in this class.  Christel, Kim, Terri and Traci showed up for their date with Fran.  Again, more doughnuts bit the dust and their kids were part of the festivities too.  Next up, real breakfast.  Unfortunately, Jessica had to go since we had someone coming to the now closed therapy clinic to hopefully buy some of the equipment.  Through six degrees of separation, actually was less than that, the person that Jessica ended up meeting was no other than member Joy’s sister-in-law, who happens to own a pediatric therapy clinic of her very own.  While Jessica was gone the 9:30 girls took Danielle to breakfast then we got back to our dates with Fran.  It was Joe and Michelle’s turn next.  They also came bearing gifts.  For those of you that don’t know Michelle and Joe have changed their diet enormously over the past few weeks, with great results and new PRs I must say.  We mentioned that we like to eat at Uncle Maddio’s since they have a really good gluten free pizza and now her and Joe frequent there quite often.  They handed us an Uncle Maddio’s Pizza box and to our surprise it contained…….

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Yep, Paleo Vodka!  Oh and whistles and Uncle Maddio’s gift certificates.  I was thinking that these would come in handy for the 9:30 “hens” but they were broken in during a 5:30 class.  Michelle was sporting some bee wings and Joe was in the spirit, of course, in a Sting t-shirt and antenna head band.  Again, Fran proved to be the biatch that we all know she is and it seems like Joe hopes to never meet her again.

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Jessica and I got to chat with them a little after the WOD, still kind of in a daze and so amazed that everyone would go through so much trouble for us.  In fact, we have only been open 6 months and some of these people doing such nice things have only been members just a month or two.  Truly, unbelievable!  After the noon class Jessica and I took some pictures, replaced the balloons to the middle of the floor so those that did not participate in the decorating party the night before could get the full effect.  Oh, and sorry about being at the box a little later than normal interfering with the decorating party.  You know, Jessica and I rarely see each other so we had some catching up to do.  That and we were busy logging attendance and WOD results.  Anyway, back to the story.  Much needed nap time was attempted between the noon class and the 5:30om class. However, my phone was literally blowing up and practically smoking.  We were added to the infamous Facebook message feed earlier in the day but instructed NOT to read it until after the 6:30 class so as not to ruin the other surprises.  Great, but you were all STILL messaging each other, like 3-4 a minute and the damn phone kept giving me the notifications, keeping me from napping.  On to the 5:30 class.  Next up for their Fran date was Alex (poor Alex this was his 3rd WOD I think), Anna, Cody, Andrea, Brent, Jenna, Emily, Peter, Bob, Staci, Matt and Cody 2.0.  But wait, there were more gifts to be had.  We already had a gift card tree and lots of yummy food and drinks, vodka and whistles.  What more did we need?  Well, really cool new coach t-shirts.  Check these out that Brent and Ashley designed and had made.

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Two more gift baskets were received that included various kinds of tea and even a bottle of wine with a BEE on it. More vodka and Margaritas and a picture frame with pictures of Jessica, me, and the resident pet mascot, Jackson.  The picture of him should have been him cowering under the desk as that is where he can usually be found.  The other basket consisted of all kinds of Paleo snacks!  Emily and Peter brought a cooler of beer for everyone to enjoy post Fran.  Everyone had completely out done themselves!  Such amazing gestures and kind words were also received.  Cody 2.0 finished Fran for his birthday and left an extra special present for us outside in the parking lot.  Fran is the gift that just keeps on giving.

The 6:30 class consisted of Sheila, Scott, Kara and Stan.  The all got to take on Fran with everyone that had had just finished Fran at 5:30, including a few others.  Some members came back to the box that had already done the WOD in the morning just to hang out with everyone and have a drink.  It’s still kind of a blur but Pierce, Andrea U. and Arpana all resurfaced.  It was a full house and so fun to just chill out.  Classes ended but the party didn’t.  Ashley, Arpana, Stan, Shiela and Brent took us out to Taco Mac for some much needed food and more fun conversation.  Still totally overwhelmed.

So, the day ended and we can’t thank everyone enough for making this all worthwhile.  Opening “The Hive” has been fun and scary but most importantly so rewarding.  This has completely validated that.  I know there were more contributors to the gifts so I also want to thank Jami, Cammie, Tagrid and Ginger for their contributions too and I’m sorry you couldn’t be there for the festivities.  If we missed anyone we apologize….but hopefully we got you all mentioned at some point in this enormous thank you blog.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU…..THIS IS CROSSFIT!!!

Danielle & Jessica (Queen D and Queen J)

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WOD

Congratulations to our TWO couples getting hitched!

It’s Wedding WOD Mayhem tomorrow and we are so excited for both of our couples.  We have an extra special WOD planned that starts at 10am (it’s a secret and if we do say so ourselves we think it’s pretty awesome) and then we will start the real party after the WOD.  Congratulations to all of you.  Feel free to post marriage advice and well wishes to our couples on this post.  Let’s keep it pretty clean though please.

Ashley & Brent
Ashley & Brent
Brooke and Colin
Brooke and Colin

 

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Athlete Profile

Meet Member Cody

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Name: Cody Bullis

Age: 37

Occupation: Adult Film Star

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? Good old fashioned pumping iron. I was doing spin and body pump (I know…) class for cardio. Max and I did a good amount of Kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu. (I don’t know about anyone else but I just got a mental picture of Cody doing body pump and actually laughed out loud.)
CrossFitting Since: Feb 2011 with about a 1 year ‘break’ thrown in the mix.  (Nice way to put that Cody, maybe you and Arpana should talk.)

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? I know people.

Was it love at first WOD? Pretty much. Anna (Cody’s wife) and I were doing wod’s at Gold’s together so we looked a bit out of place. We’d have bars set up and stuff everywhere, running all over the place, making noise as the guys doing curls and women standing around chatting watched and judged.  (Cody, we would never believe that you were “making noise”, you are always so quiet when you are lifting heavy weights.)

Favorite WOD or movements? Everyone tends to like the stuff they are good at so I like pull-ups, K2E, KB swings – I guess more of the met-con movements. I can’t wait to get my meat hooks back on a rower handle.

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Front squats, thrusters, full snatches, squat cleans. There is a theme, I don’t really like the squat movements very much. They crush my soul.

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment?  I wouldn’t call it one moment but I loved helping set up the space and watch the girls grow the gym out of nothing. I am really proud of you two. (Awww, thanks!  We couldn’t have done it without your help and your continued help.  So, we will putting up the two new GHD’s and then changing out the bar on the rig to the muscle up bar this weekend?)

Why do you CrossFit? So my wife doesn’t leave me for a younger man or Ryan Gosling. (So he can scream and grunt in public and mumble inappropriate things under his breath.)

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? I’ve never been into outer space. (I am surprised that was the best you could do Cody.  Thanks for playing!)

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Athlete Profile

Meet member Arpana

 

Look at the progress, pictures don't lie!
Look at the progress, pictures don’t lie!

Name: Arpana

Age: 35

Occupation: Pastry Chef / Owner, Dutch Monkey Doughnuts  (check them out at http://www.dutchmonkeydoughnuts.com/)

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? I was that kid who was afraid of PE in grade school. Walked-on to the varsity fencing team at Columbia (or as I called it, anger management). Gained about 40 lbs. in my late teens/early 20s, and lost 50 lbs. over the course of two years by just walking 4 miles a day. Since I hit 30, I’ve needed to do more. Started really working at it last year, with a few half marathons, a marathon, a couple of metric century bike rides, and a triathlon. (Check out Arpana’s before and after picture above.  We can’t take credit for that but we can say we are helping to make her stronger.  Just look at the progress in those few pictures.  Aprana has most recently signed up for the Disney Dopey Challenge which is a 5k the first day, 10K the next day, half marathon the third day and a marathon the last day!  Talk about pushing yourself!)

CrossFitting Since: Nov 12, 2012

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? Emily Kallos said she was trying it out, and I begged her to let me tag along.

Was it love at first WOD? Yes and no. I felt totally incompetent at first WOD, which just made me want to try it again. And the soreness was epic. I remember my arms being so sore that I messaged Danielle and said, “I don’t know if I should come back tomorrow–I can’t even get my hand close enough to my face to eat.”. (Completely a TRUE story, she emailed me the night before asking if she should come in or rest.)

Favorite WOD or movements? Everything I suck at. Step-ups, hang cleans, etc. I like doing the things I’m terrible at, so that I can see more progress. I love lifting, even though I’m a lightweight, because I can always do 5-10 lbs. more than the last time.

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Wall balls. As many as I’ve done, I can’t seem to go up much in weight.

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? Describe your experience here. The 10:1, 1:10 burpee/box jump workout where I fell and gashed my shin. It hurt like $#@* hell, but I was so happy about having made it halfway through the workout on a 24″ box that it made everything a little better. And it was totally awesome that my fellow Crossfitters stepped up to help get my kid to school, take me to the emergency room, hold my hand while the doctor shoved needles in my shin (Kathie), while videotaping the whole ordeal (ahem, Danielle).  (Let’s not forget to add that Arpana wears glasses, for depth perception, and was NOT wearing them that morning, ahem!  Even after previous shin encounter with the box.)  Field trip……

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Why do you CrossFit? Because it makes everything else in my day feel easier: Carrying my kid to bed is easier. Lifting bags of flour and sugar at work is easier. Laundry is easier. Walking the dog is easier. Pushing a shopping cart through Costco is easier. All of the little things that you whine about doing on a daily basis become not such a big deal. And I feel younger. That’s a big reason. The calluses are sexy, right? 😉

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? I found out a few weeks before starting CrossFit that I have an irregular heartbeat that basically limits my endurance and speed. I get frustrated when I can’t do things as quickly as other people, or when I have to take breaks to bring my HR back down. CrossFit has been pretty great for me in this respect, because there are so many varied aspects of it. It’s not like running, where you’re either fast or you’re not. I love that I can find things that work for me, and do them well, even if I positively suck at other things. (Arpana has been a great addition to CrossFit Sting and has had a hand in helping the “cool kids class”, the 6:30am class really grow.  We thank you for your help over the past months and your continued support.)