August 2017 Member of the Month

Athena Perez

Preferred Name :
Athena or “Bean” – I’ll answer to either.

Age :
40

Where did you grow up? 
I grew up in a small town south of Seattle, Washington.

When did you become a member of Mi5 Fitness? 
March 2017

What do you do when you are not at Mi5? (occupation, hobbies, etc.).
I'm a project management consultant. I'm very fortunate to do what I do, because I enjoy it very much.

I spend a lot of time doing things around my home. I love cooking (off a recipe – don’t leave in there by myself), movies, anything outside.

How did you find out about Mi5? 
 I have a rockstar friend that has been at  Mi5 for years. I’d seen him get tagged on social media in various things over the years and always had a curiosity. I reached out and the rest is history.

When/How did you realize CrossFit/Mi5 was the right fit for you? 
 I was scared out of my gourd the first time I came to Mi5. I didn’t feel it would be somewhere I belonged. Everyone looked fit, and I was intimidated because that’s not how I would have described myself. I started coming in for coaching sessions once a week but got talked into attending a boot-camp class by one of the other members. It wasn’t until after that first class that I realized this was the right place for me permanently. The members had 80% to do with that. I felt welcomed and accepted immediately, and for whatever reason, it felt “safe.” On the other hand, it was a realization that the classes were not like anything I had ever attempted. I always worked out by myself when I had gone to other gyms and frankly would bail out at the first sign of being tired – like “Sayonara.” The classes at Mi5 force me to put in my time, finish the workout, and I have so much support!

What is your favorite WOD/movement? 
My favorite movements are probably bench press or dead lifts. 

What is your least favorite WOD/movement? 
Thrusters or anything that includes running, burpees, sprints, or having to crawl around on my knees.

What would your perfect WOD look like? 
Lifting. I wouldn’t mind seeing another “Murph” thrown up.

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’ll be perfectly honest, just about everything I do at Mi5 in the course of a normal Crossfit WOD or Bootcamp is something I never thought I would be able to do.  Seven months ago I walked on two canes, so there’s that.

What motivates you to stay fit? 
 Well, we’re getting there how about we say it like that?😊Knocking down goals on my weight loss journey motivates me for sure. Being able to go do things that I never thought possible keep me going.

What is something about you that Mi5 members do not yet know? 
I noticed Birkenstocks were coming back in - I'm pretty excited about that. I have never been inside a Hy-Vee.

What advice would you give to someone just getting started at Mi5? 

• Breathe, and walk through the door. If you can do that, you can do anything.
• Your fitness journey is personal. Don’t compare yourself to someone else. And no, nobody is looking at you.
• Start slow. Listen to your body and listen to the coaches.
• Consistent effort WILL provide consistent results. Keep going!
• Prepare…. To meet some of the nicest people, you will EVER meet.