Wine Country CrossFit

Renee has been sweating it out at WCCF for almost five years. She has the adorable pugs that wait patiently for her on the porch. She greats everyone with a lovely smile. She loves CrossFit!

1. When did you start CrossFit and why? I started CrossFit in 2012 in Sydney, Australia. When I lived out there I was doing a lot of boxing, outdoor bootcamp, spinning, and I had a personal trainer but I thought that there should be a way to streamline my workouts so that I could get the benefits from all these sports in one.  I thought CrossFit was a blast! I loved that it incorporated gymnastics as I had been a competitive gymnast throughout my child/teen years. I took to it immediately and wanted more.

2. What time of day do you come in? I am in the gym at all times of day. I love a 5:30am bootcamp, coming in for a midday wod if there is Open Gym, or an evening class. Whenever I am in the gym I am happy and feel my best. It doesn’t matter what time – just as long as I make it happen.

3. What is one type of movement you hate and one you love? The movement I hate the most is Rope Climbs. I can do them, but I refuse! A few years ago I got the nastiest rope burn you have ever seen in your life from rope climbs. It was so bad that I could not go in the ocean during my vacation in Puerto Vallarta and I still have a big scar on my leg. I don’t need a tattoo, I’ve got CrossFit burned on my leg for life. I love Sumo Deadlift High Pulls, Overhead Lunges, GHD sit-ups, Burpee Box Jumps…too hard to pick one. But I love weighted movements that use every muscle group in the body, and especially those that have been recommended by Prince and Diana Prince! Oh yeah, they are both heroes, role models and beloved icons. I’ve loved Prince my whole life. He was fearless, compassionate and so creative. Diana Prince is Wonder Woman….

4. Any big goals set for the next year? Yes! I love setting personal goals. Daily goals are practicing meditation and getting into the gym, sharing positivity and kindness and taking good care of my pugs. I’m starting grad school in the Fall and I’m very excited about it, that’s a longer term-goal. Traveling is always a goal, Spain is up next. Living in peace and fully experiencing every moment by being completely present.

5. Name an athlete that inspires you and why.  I am so grateful for all the athletes that inspire me. My mom – She is a 4.0 USTA seated tennis player, Captain of her team, she plays daily. My sister Tiffany is an awe-inspiring yogini and my sister Monique is dedicated to Orange Theory Fitness. Their commitment to fitness has been lifelong and so inspiring to me daily! I love those ladies, but it really is my CrossFit friends who are in the gym daily who inspire me so much.Kris, Marissa, Carlos, Jose, JC, Beth, Ian, Beverly, Frank, Richard, Mike, Hilary, Noemi, Vic. You guys rock, you are strong, tireless and best of all, you are just the nicest people.

6. Tell us one fun fact about you? Only one? I’ve got a few…okay here’s the biggie … I was struck by lightening when I was 5 yrs old.

7. You were left on a deserted island.  What one food and thing would you want to be left with you? The deserted island question…super easy – I need Burt’s Bees lip balm, a hat, sunscreen, my pugs – Kingston and Peppa, and the Purple Rain album

8. How has CrossFit helped you in sports and life? CrossFit has helped me physically in that any sport I play I’m pretty agile and can usually pull it off. Volleyball and soccer I still love playing. I like the kid trampoline places. They are pretty fun for a washed up gymnast.

9. How have workouts changed for you over the years? Workouts are always changing for me, and I think it is based on what my body is telling me it needs. Long 40 min Metcons, or just some lifting with supersets built in. I have always been a fan of big long cardio workouts, but I now see that I don’t need that long of a cardio wod. I am constantly learning as my body and mind are adapting and changing.

10. Anything else? I want to thank my CrossFit family for all the friendship and daily inspiration!