Mariah Cooke Preferred Name: Mariah
Age: 27 Where did you grow up? Blue Earth, MN When did you become a member of Mi5 Fitness? September of 2017 What do you do when you are not at Mi5? When I'm not at the gym I like to spend time with friends and family and travel pretty regularly. I also have a wonderful job as the supervisor at Fly My Group! How did you find out about Mi5? From the one and only Ashley Jacobson! I trained with her one on one to start out. When/How did you realize CrossFit/Mi5 was the right fit for you? I had always been a competitive athlete when I was younger and in high school, and when that was over I didn’t really have anything else to turn to. Years later I found crossfit and loved it because it’s a constant competition with yourself, and there’s no end to improving. I knew Mi5 specifically was the right fit for me after getting to know the coaches and members. My hour at this gym is always my favorite part of the day because you can leave your worries at the door and get lost in some fitness and fun with the best people. What is your favorite WOD/movement? Cleans! All cleans. What is your least favorite WOD/movement? Wall balls and deadlifts. What would your perfect WOD look like? Cleans and burpees! I also really enjoy long chipper WODs. What is one thing you have been able to accomplish since starting at Mi5 that you never thought you'd be able to do? Pull ups. I couldn't come close to doing one before and now I can do at least six strict! What motivates you to stay fit? I'm motivated by thinking back to where I've been, where I am now, and where I want to be. I also feel the difference mentally and emotionally when I’m not active and that’s enough for me to choose to stay fit! What is something about you that Mi5 members do not yet know? Since starting my fitness journey three years ago I’ve lost almost 40lbs. What advice would you give to someone just getting started at Mi5? Commit to showing up. One thing that has helped me is learning to not rely on motivation because sometimes it's just not there, especially during an extra stressful week or dealing with whatever may come up. Pack that gym bag and make it a habit to show up as many days a week as you've committed to. Also, don't compare yourself and where you’re at to others. Be proud of walking through the door, as sometimes that’s the hardest part. Lastly, feel confident in knowing you’ve picked the best gym out there!
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Penny Kaiser Preferred Name: Penny
Age: 40 Where did you grow up? Waseca, MN When did you become a member of Mi5 Fitness? April 2018 What do you do when you are not at Mi5? When I am not at the gym, I like to attend concerts, travel, hike, run, spend time with my significant other, family and friends, try new restaurants or breweries and read. I also really love my job as a Social Worker. How did you find out about Mi5? I had some friends from my old gym who used to attend Mi5 and I was looking for a change, so I did a trial in January and I loved it!! When/How did you realize CrossFit/Mi5 was the right fit for you? I might get sappy here for a minute?! Hands down, when you walk in, you see and feel the community vibe here. I was welcomed the moment I walked through the door – and that hasn’t stopped. And the coaches, all they want for you is to become a better version of yourself. The one moment where I knew I was a member for life was at GameDay Eau Claire when I saw the HUGE amount of support from the members who weren’t competing – what a commitment! I feel so blessed to be able to be a part of a community where we all want to see ourselves and others continue to be better versions of ourselves! What is your favorite WOD/movement? Anything involving squatting! Either Back Squat or Squat Clean What is your least favorite WOD/movement? There’s a few…but hands down the Assault Bike!! What would your perfect WOD look like? It has to be long – and something with running, deadlifts and cleans in it. What is one thing you have been able to accomplish since starting at Mi5 that you never thought you'd be able to do? Strict HSPU – I still need to scale it, but I’m making progress. What motivates you to stay fit? The ability to prove to myself how strong I am and how far I can push myself, the stress relief it produces – and I only have one body, so I have to treat it right. What is something about you that Mi5 members do not yet know? Back in 2001, I had a pretty significant weight loss of 50 pounds. Since then, fitness has become a high priority for me. What advice would you give to someone just getting started at Mi5? Have fun, give it your all and you won’t be disappointed! Angie Baumgart Preferred Name
Angie Age •39 Where did you grow up? •Burnsville, MN When did you become a member of Mi5 Fitness? •October, 2012 What do you do when you are not at Mi5? • My favorite hobby is raising my 16 year-old daughter, Emilie to be strong & walk in good faith! • Spending time with my fiancé, Nate...bless his heart for putting up with me! ;) • Faith...I have to work on that daily. • Work... certified 3:30am(ish) early riser. I am a Sr. Human Capital Management Strategist at ADP; been with them for 8 years. I am a work-a-holic; albeit, I do love my job and helping my clients thrive is something I’m very passionate about. How did you find out about Mi5? • Drove by on the freeway, saw the sign, and thought... “Holy crap, I have been needing something new and exciting in my life and this place is it!” Never looked back. When/How did you realize CrossFit/Mi5 was the right fit for you? • Honestly, right away. I’m the type of person who is extremely self-motivated, but humbly admit that I require the direction. I need to be pushed when it comes to wellness & fitness. In addition, I have been blessed with the most amazing “family” and friends on earth within the walls of Mi5. I couldn’t imagine my life without this community... I’m a better human because of this gym. Period. What is your favorite WOD/movement? • Deadlifts & DB Snatches What is your least favorite WOD/movement? •Bench-press :/ What would your perfect WOD look like? •In a perfect “WOD World” for me, it would be *21-15-9 of: •Deadlifts •Bar-facing or lateral burpees •DB Snatches What is one thing you have been able to accomplish since starting at Mi5 that you never thought you'd be able to do? •Pull-ups; even though I sh*t the bed at GameDay Eau Claire doing those... LOL and being able to officially Deadlift 230# (3 RM) What motivates you to stay fit? •It always starts and ends with yourself. Continuing to learn to love the skin that you’re in & challenging yourself are the keys to developmental growth. Our world can be so brutal and critical... so self-care is something that is so detrimental (both physically & mentally). If you take care of yourself, you become a better person, friend, spouse, & parent, overall. #selfcare #number1 What is something about you that Mi5 members do not yet know? •Some people do know this, but my daughter and I lost our home (and literally everything in it) to a fire in 2010. We had to start from square one with absolutely nothing. It’s when you truly have nothing, that you realize that you actually have everything... my heart grew 1,000 sizes that year, and I learned that so many people are so incredibly “good” in this universe. What advice would you give to someone just getting started at Mi5? •Be bold & brave. They always say the first step is the most difficult, but you have to take it in order to experience it. Know that you have a community of humans in this gym, who also “just started” themselves at one point. We may not all be the strongest in the same movements, but we all have kindness & bravery in common, which is all you need. Just put one foot in the door...and never look back. Scott Lombard Preferred Name : Scott
Age : 48 Where did you grow up? Colorado When did you become a member of Mi5 Fitness? November of 2014 What do you do when you are not at Mi5? I am a Subject Matter Expert in the legal field specializing in Computer Forensics and eDiscovery. In my free time I enjoy golf, running, hunting, traveling, and shooting trap. How did you find out about Mi5? Bernie O'Brien When/How did you realize CrossFit/Mi5 was the right fit for you? My first day when Angie called me ****stick. I knew these were my people. What is your favorite WOD/movement? I look forward to "The Murph" each year. While it is certainly a challenge, I love everyone coming together doing the same WOD to honor Lt. Michael Murphy. What is your least favorite WOD/movement? Thrusters What would your perfect WOD look like? Anything that does not include the aforementioned movement of thrusters What is one thing you have been able to accomplish since starting at Mi5 that you never thought you'd be able to do? I have gained strength in my core allowing me to hit the golf ball much further. I never thought would be able to hit the yardages that I can now, and I attribute that to Mi5. What motivates you to stay fit? I enjoy it and I like the way I feel What is something about you that Mi5 members do not yet know? I have a hidden talent, I think of it as more of a "gift". I can eat weight in Sashimi. Just sayin' What advice would you give to someone just getting started at Mi5? The same advice that I received when I started. Go to BootCamp classes and learn the movements (also meeting tons of people) at lighter weights. All of 0ur Members! Thank you for your support during our move to Mi5 2.0Rick Gonzales Preferred Name: Rick Age: 67 next month Where did you grow up? Laurel, Maryland. Graduated from the Univ of Maryland (Fear The Turtle!) When did you become a member of Mi5 Fitness? September 2013. What do you do when you are not at Mi5? I'm retired. The few hours I'm not at MI5 doing Boot Camp, Boxing, and Yoga are spend investing in stocks and options, big mountain downhill skiing out West, and cooking. How did you find out about Mi5? A former trainer, Matt Strand. When/How did you realize CrossFit/Mi5 was the right fit for you? Instantly, never a doubt after the first workout. Exhausted, sore, and couldn't wait to go back. What is your favorite WOD/movement? Murph: 1600 meter row, 100 pull ups, 200 push ups, 300 air squats, 1600 meter row. What is your least favorite WOD/movement? Burpees, (of course!) What would your perfect WOD look like? 20 minute AMRAP of "Spicy" Cindy: 5 pull ups, 10 push ups, 15 air squats, 20 sit ups, 15 heavy KB deadlifts, 10 heavy kettle bell swings, 5 heavy bicep curls. What is one thing you have been able to accomplish since starting at Mi5 that you never thought you'd be able to do? Pick one: Handstands, 335 lb dead lift, 25 pull ups, 30" box jump. What motivates you to stay fit? Being able to live life on my terms with no constraints. What is something about you that Mi5 members do not yet know? I plan on entering the Minnesota Senior Olympics this summer and winning the 50 meter dash. What advice would you give to someone just getting started at Mi5? Have fun, trust the process, and attend consistently. These people will become your family Katie Lockrem
When/how did you realize CrossFit/Mi5 was the right fit for you?
I loved training with both Chris and Andrew so I never questioned whether Crossfit/Mi5 would be a good fit for me. I would have followed them to any gym whether it had the Crossfit name or not. I stay because Mi5 has the best trainers who show up every day to help others do better and be better. Their gym community not only supports, encourages, and motivates you through a challenging WOD, but also life outside of the gym as well. What is your favorite WOD/movement? Anything where I am constantly moving - so pretty much a boot camp WOD What is your least favorite WOD/movement? The Mi5 5k day What would your perfect WOD look like? I love a WOD that is at least 20 minutes, has at least 3 different movements and that is cardio based. What is one thing you have been able to accomplish since starting at Mi5 that you never thought you’d be able to do? Considering one of my high school coaches came into the weight room and said, “Ms. Lockrem, laying on the equipment does not count as lifting the equipment”. I think that every time I finish a WOD I have accomplished something that I never thought I would be able to do or I should say want to do. What is something about you that Mi5 members do not yet know? I painted the inside of that gym (the blue wall ball lines are mine), took down walls, scraped glue off the floor in 100 degree heat with no air, and when I was done Chris G. told me I was a horrible painter. What motivates you to stay fit? It's not so much about staying fit for me as it is about staying mentally healthy What advice would you give to someone just getting started at Mi5? I don’t think you have to give any advice to someone just starting because Mi5 speaks for itself. Once you walk through those doors, do your first workout, and meet the community you will be hooked….. it doesn’t matter how sore you feel …..you’ll be back. Felicia Boyd Preferred Name: Felicia Boyd
Age: 56 Where did you grow up? Lots of places! I am a navy brat and grew up across the country and eventually landed in Minnesota. When did you become a member of Mi5 Fitness? Two years ago? What do you do when you are not at Mi5? I am a partner at Barnes & Thornburg, LLP in the Minneapolis office. My practice is focused on intellectual property law: the protection of ideas and brands, both inside and outside the courtroom. In my “spare time,” I am blessed with six children, an awesome husband and a really awesome washer and dryer set. I also love the outdoors and everything you can do in it! And of course....there’s Crossfit. How did you find out about Mi5? The amazing sign outside drew me in! When/How did you realize CrossFit/Mi5 was the right fit for you? Right away! The people are truly kind and welcoming. What is your favorite WOD/movement? Deadlifts. What is your least favorite WOD/movement? Thrusters. What would your perfect WOD look like? Running and running and running. With deadlifts. What is one thing you have been able to accomplish since starting at Mi5 that you never thought you'd be able to do? Push-ups! What motivates you to stay fit? It just feels great to be fit! What is something about you that Mi5 members do not yet know? I bake an exceptional pecan pie. What advice would you give to someone just getting started at Mi5? Jump in and don’t be afraid to try new things. It’s ok to be the last one to finish! Everyone is there to encourage you to be the best you, and that’s what matters. Mary Miller When did you become a member of Mi5 Fitness? I enrolled in the Kick Start program in January 2017 and then officially became a member in April 2017. What do you do when you are not at Mi5? I’m a contract accountant specializing in assisting entrepreneurs and small/medium businesses with their accounting needs. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family - Scott, Allie and Rachel – all of whom are regulars/drop-ins at the gym. Rain or shine, I walk our golden-doodle, Winston, every morning and my happy place is our cabin in Turtle Lake, WI. How did you find out about Mi5? Jodi Dobratz invited me to join her for the Kick Start Program. When/How did you realize CrossFit/Mi5 was the right fit for you? I’d always been “active”, but I needed help to “step up my game” and someone to hold me accountable. The coaches and community at Mi5 do that for me in a positive way. I don’t have to plan my workouts. I simply show up and am encouraged to push myself harder and lift heavier weights than I’d ever do on my own. In addition, Mi5 coaches take the time to discuss nutrition and provide suggestions on ways to change my eating habits so I fuel my body properly both pre & post-workout. Finally, the atmosphere at Mi5 is welcoming regardless of ability level. The coaches and other members “met me where I’m at” without judgment and make the effort to get to know me personally so I feel like a valued member of the Mi5 family. I’d say M15 offers the complete fitness package. What is your favorite WOD/movement? A chipper with a mix of strength and cardio. What is your least favorite WOD/movement? I don’t despise the rope climb as much as I used to, but I do sigh each time I see it on the WOD. What would your perfect WOD look like? Anything outside as long as the temperature is above 60 degrees! What is one thing you have been able to accomplish since starting at Mi5 that you never thought you'd be able to do? Running a 5K was never on my bucket list, but I felt an awesome sense of accomplishment when I completed my first one. Since then, I even joined my family in a 5K Turkey Trot last Thanksgiving and I’m signed up for the Rugged Maniac this September with a bunch of other Mi5ers! What motivates you to stay fit? I’ve never had any health/fitness issues (knock on wood), but turning 50 made me seriously consider how I was going to be proactive and take care of myself. What is something about you that Mi5 members do not yet know? Long ago, I traveled to Russia for work with $10,000 in cash strapped to my waist. What advice would you give to someone just getting started at Mi5? If you commit to working hard 3-4 days per week with a bunch of pretty awesome people and are open to evaluating your eating and driving habits, you'll see results!" |
AuthorHeidi Marshall Archives
May 2019
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