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.
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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!" Julie Johns Preferred Name - Julie
Age - 48 Where did you grow up? - Rockford, IL When did you become a member of Mi5 Fitness? - Jan 2013 What do you do when you are not at Mi5? Watching my girls play sports How did you find out about Mi5? I live close by and saw the Mi5 CrossFit Lakeville sign. I looked them up online and stopped in for a free class. When/How did you realize CrossFit/Mi5 was the right fit for you? I wasn’t sure after my first class - I only made it half way through my first CrossFit class. Andrew called me after the class and suggested I start with some Boot Camp classes. It just felt right after that. The friends I have made and the encouragement they give me is unbelievable. What is your favorite WOD/movement? Bench press, Overhead Squats and Back Squats What is your least favorite WOD/movement? Burpees and Sit outs and of course RUNNING What would your perfect WOD look like? Bench press for sure, pull-ups and some rowing What is one thing you have been able to accomplish since starting at Mi5 that you never thought you'd be able to do? Lots of things! I never walked into a gym until I was 42 years old, I’m proud that I have been able to complete the Murph 3 times and I’ve shown improvement every year J What motivates you to stay fit? I have 2 daughters, I want them to know that you can do anything at any age. What is something about you that Mi5 members do not yet know? I don’t cook much (no surprise to anyone) but I make really good homemade spaghetti sauce – thanks to my Italian grandparents. What advice would you give to someone just getting started at Mi5? Stick with it, you won’t be disappointed! Andy Shefchik  Preferred Name
Andy Age 45 Where did you grow up? Apple Valley When did you become a member of Mi5 Fitness? I've being coming solid for 2 to 2.5 years, but was on and off for a while before that. What do you do when you are not at Mi5? I'm a tile setter. I also shoot shotgun, mountain bike, play/hunt with my dogs. How did you find out about Mi5? I called Andrew's Liftetime Fitness business card. Andrew actually trained me 15 years ago. I tried going back to lifetime on my own, but couldn't stick with it, so I called Andrew up and he said he'd just opened a new gym. He's been a huge help in my life. When/How did you realize Mi5 was the right fit for you? I knew it was the right fit because of my mental gains. I was struggling with depression and nonmovement, and Mi5 has helped changed it. What is your favorite WOD/movement? Power snatch What is your least favorite WOD/movement? There's so many. Probably the grind of wall balls What would your perfect WOD look like? A nap 😉 But really.... My favorite are the chipper style workouts. What is one thing you have been able to accomplish since starting at Mi5 that you never thought you'd be able to do? Olympic lifting What motivates you to stay fit? My mental health and just the fun that comes with fitness and being fit (i.e., being able to mountain bike) What is something about you that Mi5 members do not yet know? I lived out in Colorado for a year snowboarding What advice would you give to someone just getting started at Mi5? Show up, and take it one day at a time. Trust that progress will be made. Mike & Karen Keller
Tanya Schweiger Preferred Name: Tanya
Age: 33 Where did you grow up? Meadowlands, MN (40 min NW of Duluth) When did you become a member of Mi5 Fitness? July 2017 What do you do when you are not at Mi5? I have been working for part of Blue Cross for a little over 10 years. I process claims for their sister company called Further. When I'm not working overtime or working out, I'm cooking, doing photography, hot yoga, snowshoeing, or working on never-ending home renovations. I'm hoping to use my kayak a lot more this summer too! How did you find out about Mi5? I had been thinking of trying Crossfit for a while after watching the Games on TV so I did an internet search and found that Mi5 had an amazing Groupon deal to try 10 classes. When/How did you realize CrossFit/Mi5 was the right fit for you? I decided it was right for me after I was sick for two weeks and wasn't able to come in to work out. The front desk staff texted me a couple times to see if everything was OK. I thought that was SO sweet that a gym cared enough to check in on me. What is your favorite WOD/movement? Back squats What is your least favorite WOD/movement? Assault bike. (But I will learn to love it!) What would your perfect WOD look like? Rowing, Singles, Handstand Walk 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 never in a million years thought I would ever be able to do a chin up. What motivates you to stay fit? I'm a big believer in, "You look good, you feel good. You feel good, you DO good." What is something about you that Mi5 members do not yet know? I have two older brothers, a teenage niece and nephew whom I just adore, I'm currently working on my second college degree and yoga teacher certificate, and I'm starting lessons in May to learn my third musical instrument. What advice would you give to someone just getting started at Mi5? Get a nutritionist. Make a plan. Make a schedule. Stick to it. And MAKE NO EXCUSES. Craig Hillier Preferred Name: Craig Hillier
Age: 51 Where did you grow up? Redwood Falls MN When did you become a member of Mi5 Fitness? 2013 What do you do when you are not at Mi5? Bowling. Traveling. Cruising the Caribbean. Reading. Writing. How did you find out about Mi5? My son and I walked in and met Chris G before the gym officially opened. We both knew we would become members after hearing the vision for the gym. When/How did you realize CrossFit/Mi5 was the right fit for you? After only a few boot camps, I knew it was for me. The format was upbeat, fun, and challenging. What is your favorite WOD/movement? Deadlift What is your least favorite WOD/movement? Pull-ups What would your perfect WOD look like? 500m row, heavy sled push, deadlift. What is one thing you have been able to accomplish since starting at Mi5 that you never thought you'd be able to do? Deadlift 400 lbs. What motivates you to stay fit? Fighting father time, Hy Vee donuts, and the friendships created with others who train at Mi-5. What is something about you that Mi5 members do not yet know? I’ve presented seminars in 46 states, wrote three books, dislike heights, get squeamish with a pin prick, enjoy learning about the mafia, and a goal of rolling several 300 games of bowling—before I permanently split. What advice would you give to someone just getting started at Mi5? You will find the members to be the most supportive, non-judgmental people in the world. In the five years of being a member, I have walked out of each class feeling better than I did when I walked in. Ron Knips Preferred Name:
Ron Age: 54 Where did you grow up? On a farm in southwest Minnesota near the village of Lismore (population 200 then, smaller now!) When did you become a member of Mi5 Fitness? 4.5 years ago What do you do when you are not at Mi5? Work life has progressed through engineering, management, interior design, and now occasional subbing for special education paras. I'm pretty handy and always seem to have a home or yard project going. Love to travel, camp, kayak, and rock climb. How did you find out about Mi5? A friend I met during bootcamp classes at Lifetime convinced me to try it. When/How did you realize Mi5 was the right fit for you? After a few weeks, there was no going back to lifetime! The "community of Mi5" is it's greatest asset and makes this place much more than a gym. The encouragement, support, and friendship shared among the members and staff have helped me reach increasing goals. I love to come in for a workout, but there is never enough time to talk with everyone. What is your favorite WOD/movement? I really kind of like burpees... as well as rope climbs, toes to bar, assault bike, and various obstacle course challenges. What is your least favorite WOD/movement? Lunges and squats. Bad knees, with a unilateral replacement in one, make these a challenge. Accommodations performing these movements help to maintain strength and stability, but not doing the workout as prescribed is a personal struggle. With guidance from excellent Mi5 trainers I have become more attune to my body and how to develop and strengthen it... correctly. They still suck! What would your perfect WOD look like? A chipper with a variety of movements and challenges of strength, mobility, and endurance all in one workout. What is one thing you have been able to accomplish since starting at Mi5 that you never thought you'd be able to do? The Mi5 games. Previous competition always focused on running. What motivates you to stay fit? To keep my abilities in line with my attitude rather than my age. What is something about you that Mi5 members do not yet know? There was a time in my life when I was known for having really good hair! What advice would you give to someone just getting started at Mi5? Try a variety of classes. Arrive early to roll, stretch, warm up, and get to know everyone. Learning the proper technique is key. Know that each class will have a range of skill levels, but everyone had a beginning and progressed at their own pace. Don't rush the progression, but learn and do as much as you can along the way. This place will change your life! Becca Naill Preferred Name
Becca Age 45 Where did you grow up? Apple Valley When did you become a member of Mi5 Fitness? October '16 What do you do when you are not at Mi5? Hang out with my awesome kiddos, run, spend time with friends, run a real estate transaction management business How did you find out about Mi5? I drove by daily, enviously watching groups running/working out. Then one day Jill Metkowski (easily) talked me into trying a class when I was dropping off Homecoming flowers for her son Miles. When/How did you realize CrossFit/Mi5 was the right fit for you? The first bootcamp class had me hooked! I never thought I was a "group fitness" person, but I loved it! Plus, the fact that I could hardly move the next day demonstrated it was the best work out I'd had in a long time! What is your favorite WOD/movement? Med ball slams!!!!! What is your least favorite WOD/movement? Pull ups/Rope climb What would your perfect WOD look like? Boxing! What is one thing you have been able to accomplish since starting at Mi5 that you never thought you'd be able to do? Well, I can't say I "never" thought I would do it because everything is possible but...Rowing the 5k without resting surprised me! What motivates you to stay fit? Truth??? Vanity... What is something about you that Mi5 members do not yet know? 15 years ago I had my private pilot's license What advice would you give to someone just getting started at Mi5? Don't look at the workout before you head to gym...It is *always* best not knowing 😋 Brennan McKeag Preferred Name: Brennan
Age: 27 Where did you grow up? Apple Valley and Lakeville When did you become a member of Mi5 Fitness? I took a few classes in the summer, then became a full fledged member in the fall. What do you do when you are not at Mi5? I'm an Autism Spectrum Disorders teacher at a special education school in Apple Valley. When I'm not working, I like spending time in the boundary waters, cooking new foods, checking out new breweries, snowboarding, trying new things. I'm enjoying being able to be active and feel good about it, so anything along those lines. How did you find out about Mi5? From my dad, Kegger! When/How did you realize CrossFit/Mi5 was the right fit for you? After realizing how welcoming and nonjudgemental everyone is. The environment and community is inviting and a comfortable place to put yourself out there and work hard, regardless of your skill level. What is your favorite WOD/movement? Probably the bear complex. What is your least favorite WOD/movement? Really anything bodyweight. Burpees. Actually jump rope is incredibly aggravating at times. What would your perfect WOD look like? Probably something like 21-15-9 Squat cleans and pull-ups. Or Heavy Grace. That one looks pretty perfect. What is one thing you have been able to accomplish since starting at Mi5 that you never thought you'd be able to do? Hand stand pushups! What motivates you to stay fit? After my college athletic career was over, my lifestyle got away from me and the bad choices started adding up. Eventually I got tired of feeling like I was falling behind my friends and family. Have you seen my dad? Try keeping up with that! I want to be able to continue snowboarding with my brothers, portaging canoes in the boundary waters, and maybe even compete in something. My lifestyle before that wouldn't have been conducive to that, so here I am! What is something about you that Mi5 members do not yet know? I'm a retired acro-yogi, a form of yoga that involves a partner and acrobatics. Look it up! What advice would you give to someone just getting started at Mi5? Trust the process! Change happens over time, keep putting in the time and the changes will come. Also, don't be scared to just get out there and try things. Chances are you'll surprise yourself with what you can do! |
AuthorHeidi Marshall Archives
June 2019
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