Kathy Hoerner

 
Kathy, I hope you’re ok with me saying a bit on your behalf in your athlete spotlight!  I really can’t help myself–she is a perfect example of someone who comes in, gives it her all, and reaps the benefits of that effort.  She is a bit too modest about how much progress she’s made over these last 5 months, so I took it upon myself to brag her up a bit!

Kathy’s drive to work hard is a shining example for every athlete in and out of the gym.  Her progress has never ceased to impress me–from her improvements on strength work (she PR’d her power clean by 25 pounds the other day!), her attention to detail with bodyweight gymnastics movements, as well as putting in the time on skill-based movements like double-unders (you’re becoming a ninja with that rope!!!).  As she mentions later, she doesn’t have a freakish genetic predisposition to be super strong, yet she continues to make strength gains.  She isn’t the youngest female athlete, yet she continues to improve her athletic profile.  Kathy simply doesn’t allow these excuses to be a valid reason to throw in the towel or try less.  I have served with some pretty damn mentally tough people in different capacities, and Kathy has some serious mental toughness and intestinal fortitude, and all that drive and hard work is showing itself as incredible progress over the last 5 months.

Kathy, from the bottom of my heart, thanks for being a part of the CFD community, leading by example, and always being a pleasure to be around!  I know I’m not alone in saying that you are an inspiration to us all.

–Coach Phil
 
 
1. How long have you been a member at CFD, and what made you want to get started?

I started in the July foundations class so I have been a member for about 5 months. I was looking for a new challenge , I wanted to get stronger and thought I would checkout what crossfit was all about. I can’t deny I was pretty intimidated the first day when  I walked in and saw all these people moving weights during the work out . All the other people in my foundations class were younger than my children. I was thinking, hell no, I don’t think I will be able to do this but I was surprised to find out I could.

2. What changes have you seen in yourself since your very first day?

I am a happier person. I am much more accepting of failure, funny as that might sound. I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist and am really hard on myself when I don’t meet my own expectations, but I now meet failure on a daily basis in the gym. Now instead of beating myself up I move on and hope to succeed another day. This also transfers over into my life outside the gym. I’m stronger both mentally and physically from my experiences with crossfit .

3. What did you do for fitness prior to CFD, and what do you like most about CrossFit?

I was doing high intensity interval training three times a week, and then a couple days of cardio if I could motivate myself to do it. I love how crossfit combines strength training, gymnastic movements and cardio. I don’t get bored. I am challenged just as much as the top athletes in the gym because of the scaling. The atmosphere lets you know it is ok to scale and that it is ok that you are not the strongest, fastest athlete in the gym. This allows you to focus on becoming the best you can be. The people are so welcoming and I enjoy meeting people from all stages of life. The community is great. I tend to be more of an introvert but the environment is one that allows me to open up .

4.  What type(s) of workouts are your favorite?

I like ones that are more cyclical, those that contain one movement after another.  I think  learning the gymnastic moves is really fun.

5.  What type(s) of workouts do you least like to see come up?

Anything with wall balls — I am wall ball challenged.  Overhead stuff is tough as well, I suck at it!

6.  What are you goals going forward?

Of course I want to continue to get stronger and master more skills like pull-ups, hand walks, chest to bars and so on. I really want to continue to find out what this old body is capable of and continue to enjoy every minute! I want to stay healthy and see changes in my body. And maybe get that lifting booty too, ha ha!

7.  What advice do you have for someone just starting out at CFD?

I am not as young as most athletes in the gym and am often the oldest female in the WOD, but that has taught me to focus on myself. I think it’s important to not compare yourself to others and to celebrate their achievements along with your own — it makes the workouts so much more enjoyable. When I finished my first three months I talked with Phil about being the slowest, weakest athlete in the gym. He pointed out that we all come with our own abilities and genetics, and those words really did help me accept who I am as an athlete. I will never be the fastest strongest or anything-“est,” and that is ok. Don’t limit yourself because going outside your comfort zone can be life changing, and most of all have fun. Life is to short to not enjoy your you time. When I first started coming I had so much anxiety about each workout, but over time that did get better as most things do. Don’t worry that you can’t remember the movements, the coaches are there to help you out, and ask questions. I still call lifts and movements the wrong names, it is not the end of the world. CFD rocks!