Category: Athlete Profile

Name: Melissa Austin

Age: 25

Occupation: Kitchen and bath designer. Former beer connoisseur but paleo killed that real quick. (That’s what happens when you win a healthy eating challenge!)

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? I was an athlete growing up, gymnastics, volleyball, track blah blah blah. Lived on an elliptical machine in college, YMCA…that kind of crap. (That gymnastics background has a definite plus and why you have become such a badass!)

CrossFitting Since: August 2013

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? The magic of google. It was in between my house and work, plus it wasn’t a million dollars a month. I’m young and broke, what can I say. Where is my rich doctor!?

Was it love at first WOD? DEFINITELY. I was sore for like…3 weeks straight. Could barely sit down to pee and I didn’t even care. (Have you realized the soreness doesn’t really end, it’s just not as bad.  Constantly varied movements makes it not boring and keeps you always working different muscle groups.)

Favorite WOD or movements? Anything gymnastics related. Shocker, I know. HSPU, T2B, K2E, ring work [I’m coming for you, muscle up]. (No doubt that you will get that MU and you are the queen of the handstand push-ups.)

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Rowing, running, OHS, snatches, rowing, running….I mentioned rowing, right?

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? Describe your experience here. Winning the HEC challenge was awesome. I also enjoyed competing in the garage games and festivus competitions, it brought back my competitive nature. As much as I do these workouts for myself, I’m secretly watching Jess in the corner of my eye thinking “ok, I need to push myself and beat her” haha! I love everything about Sting. I’ve met so many amazing people, everyone is so encouraging and pushes you to be a better you. (As you can see above Melissa only started CrossFit in August.   She competed in her first competition in December and came in third place.  Her next competition was April and she came in third.  She is a hard worker, rarely misses a workout and always gives it her all!) 

Why do you CrossFit? Pretty much the typical answer…to be healthy, strong, and look good nekked. Crossfit has become such a release for me, after a long day at work it’s a great way to get rid of stress. I love the fact that every day is different, it keeps it from getting boring. Everytime I get a PR, finally get a movement that I’ve been working on….it’s such an amazing feeling. Definitely didn’t get this kind of satisfaction at the YMCA!

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? I’m a twin. A lot of y’all know that from the competition she came to…there were a lot of confused faces haha

Name: Lindsey Kallos

Age: 36

Occupation: Animal Chaser

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? I have always worked out at places like LA Fitness or the YMCA doing body sculpt, spin, or dance. I also have been running a lot in the past year and completed two half marathons. (Lindsey forgot to mention that she continues to run and workout at the YMCA, sometimes leaving CrossFit and going right to the YMCA….crazy girl!)

CrossFitting Since: Feb?

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? All my best friends and family were going….except me!  (Didn’t your mom ever tell you to be your own person and not to succumb to peer pressure?  Although I suppose in this case you can be forgiven.)

Was it love at first WOD? NO…it was a Saturday team WOD, and I
honestly was annoyed that I was doing a workout with a PVC pipe (I was
embarrassed) and everyone was cheering me on as if I was doing
something incredible. I didn’t get it. AT ALL. I think I had to get
past my insecurities (suck it up). Emily convinced me to try a
‘regular’ class and now I am hooked.  (Thanks Emily because now she is known as “Little Ant”..  The girl is tiny and carries and lifts crazy weight!)

Favorite WOD or movements? I really enjoy flipping around on the
rings or doing hand stands. Monkey stuff is fun for me.  (Have you met Traci 😉 )

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Wall balls, burpees, box jumps (You are not alone on any of those dislikes!)

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? Describe your experience here. I have
had a bunch! I think the handstand pushup was a highlight. I also
enjoyed being sore from Murph for five days. I feel like a bad*ss when
I am that sore!  (I think you might have forgotten to add Air Force WOD to this list.)

Why do you CrossFit? I have thought about this a lot lately. I think
I have decided it is so I can firm/shape my body and to be strong. It
also helps me mentally to compete with myself (and I am finding that I
am more competitive with others than I have been able to admit until
now). I like to be challenged and I have so much damn fun with
everyone. I love seeing everyone else’s transformations probably more
than my own. I just always always feel great when I walk in the door
(and out too –he he)! Oh, and to also reduce the crater in my abs I have from having kids.

Tell us something about you that we don’t already know. I don’t blow my nose.  (Really, ever?)

Name: Brent H.

Age: 28

Occupation: Software Developer

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? High school sports, weight lifting, adult rec league sports, waste of money gym memberships, etc

CrossFitting Since: Technically at a box since Jan 2012, but I used to do Crossfit workouts on lunch with a crew from work.

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? I went to CFOTM with the Pecora ladies and followed them to the best box ever.  (We didn’t pay him to say that, I swear!  I think you forgot to mention that you attempted to workout and continue your CrossFit in your own garage box, bought all the equipment and then let it collect dust.  It’s just not the same WODing alone.  We are so happy that you and Ashley kept in touch and believe in us.)

Was it love at first WOD? Pretty close. I hate going to the gym and just working out so the intensity and idea that someone was making my workouts for me pulled me in quick. I am also secretly competitive so being able to push myself is much easier in the WODs.

Favorite WOD or movements? Joshua, kettlebells, deadlifts, cleans, wall balls (I think you forgot rowing, kettlebell snatches, rowing, and oh yea did I mention rowing?)

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Burpees, inch worms, double unders, man makers/renegade rows.  (I think for this you forgot to mention any lift where there is squatting especially overhead squats!)

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? Pretty much every day. It’s what I look forward to doing every day after work. Not just working out but the community and people at the gym. I’ve never seen someplace be so encouraging to everyone regardless of skill/ability. Danielle and Jessica always put up with my BS too which makes for some fun times, especially when it comes to music. 🙂  (We can put up with your BS since you continue to make such nice comments and are always willing to help us out around the box.)

Why do you CrossFit? To stay healthy, live longer/better quality of life, and for my future kids and grandkids. I want to be able to be 60+, still playing sports with my kids/grandkids and be able to run around and play with them as much as possible.

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? I used to play pro/college paintball… yea random huh.

So….the moment everyone has been waiting for.  You have all worked so hard for the past 7 weeks and all we can say is WE ARE BLOWN AWAY!  Honestly, everyone deserves recognition but, we are not a group of pansies and are not handing out a trophy to everyone because you all “played a good game and showed good sportsmanship.”  That type of stuff is for the children of today and the woosification of America and not us grown ass adults.  So enough chatter and here it is………….

Overall Male Winner, winner of $125 and the next month’s membership FREE

Martin Burge

Overall Female Winner, winner of $125 and the next month’s membership FREE

Jenna Higgins

Runner-up Male, winner of $75 and pat on the back!

Peter Kallos and Marcus Kingsley (we called it a tie since it was just too close)

Runner-up Female, winner of $75 and a pat on the back!

Staci Meads and Kara Schramm (again a tie and too close to call)

Honorable Mention and placing 7th after the above winners

Joe Nakanishi

Most Pounds Lost

Emily Kallos  (-11) and Martin Burge (-15.6)

Most Inches Lost

Kathy Florence (-8.25) and Martin Burge (-9.75)

Most Lean Muscle Gained

Ashley Hamby (+ 2.45) and Damon Utsey (+1.6)

Most improved WOD times

Kristen Erickson (-8:04) and Brent Hamby (-4:23)

Seriously, I joked earlier but everyone really deserves recognition and the comments to each other in the gym and on social media has been awesome.  Everyone worked hard and everyone lost fat, pounds and inches.  Those few that were looking to and needed to gain inches did so as well.  Everyone crushed their WOD times.  I mean EVERYONE crushed them.  23 people were part of the HEC but only 20 people completed the challenge and were part of these amazing numbers that will blow you away.  Cumulatively as a group you all lost 121.7 pounds and 105 inches!  THIS WAS OVER 7 WEEKS PEOPLE!  If anyone would like to discuss their results in more detail just grab one of us and we will be happy to go over it with you.  If your name is mentioned ANYWHERE above we have either a cash prize for you and/or a very valuable one and only Certificate of Excellence for you to frame and hang on your wall.  Ok, probably more realistically to throw in a drawer but it is all yours!  Just pick up your loot when you come in the gym next.  Again, all of you should be proud and continue to put in the hard work inside and outside of the box!  We couldn’t be more proud and thanks for helping to validate the fact the programming is working and people are changing right before our eyes!  Keep it going and here’s to a happier healthier you!

Age: 46

Occupation: Anesthesia PA

Previous workout experience: I’ve gone through all of the usual gym classes like aerobics, step aerobics and spinning. My last gym membership led to a boring workout routine of doing the elliptical trainer for 30 minutes and occasionally a circuit of the nautilus equipment. After I gave up on the gym and until I started CrossFit, playing tennis was my only consistent form of exercise.  (Turns out Staci and I even had a few tennis matches against each other even before CrossFit.  Not sure what the outcome of the matches were though.)

Cross fitting since:  September 2011

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting?  Danielle, Jessica  and I used to work out at the same box. I was looking for a change when I heard that they were working on their opening their own box. Since they came to the 5:30 class and I was trudging through the 4:30 class, they saw me doing the WOD and have been coaching me since before they were coaches!  (That’s nice of you to say.  Now it’s nice to see you helping and coaching others along the way.  This is what it is all about.  You never know when someone else showing someone another way of doing something or using another clue might help.  Keep it up!)

Was it love at first WOD? No! I only started because a friend wanted me to check out CrossFit with her. Finishing my first WOD, I was afraid I would puke and as I ran the last few meters I saw her braced on a tire giving her all to the WOD God and I thought, “so I’m supposed to pay for this?” Before I knew it I was signed up for  3 months and I’ve never looked back.

Favorite WOD or movements: for some reason I usually like the WODs that are hard and take it all out of you. I only like them though hours after I have recovered. I like ball slams, wall balls and plate burpees.  (Staci has been known to go right from a WOD to a tennis match.  I am not sure which one is more of a passion these days, despite tennis being her first true love….well that and Bob I suppose.)

Least favorite WODs or movements:  I’m still not a fan of the squat snatch.   I’m warming up to rowing but it used to be right there with the squat snatch.

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment:  Anytime I achieve something I never thought I would be able to do like a kipping pull up. When I started I couldn’t do pull ups at all,even with a green band so I started with jumping pull ups.   I still cannot string pull ups together but hopefully that is next!  (You have made so many improvements in the past 4-5 months.  It is so inspiring to see.)

Why do you CrossFit?   To keep healthy. It has held my interest and kept me going back week after week. I’ve seen increases in strength, stamina and mobility which all help me with my tennis game.  (Now it is a TRUE family affair.  Staci is not only a member but so is her husband and her two children.  It is so cool to see the whole family WODing together.)

Something you may not know about me.  I’m CRAZY about tennis. I love to play or watch others play. Bob used to comment that he had to learn to play in order to spend time with me. Now he might be able to say that about CrossFit!  (I think we learned that from the all the references above!  Seriously though, we love having the whole Meads family in the box!)

Name: Cody Phillips aka. Cody Bear aka: 2.0

Age: 26

Occupation: Jedi Padawan

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? I played sports in high school. Was an amateur Kickboxer for a while as well as the usual weights and running.

CrossFitting Since: March 2012

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? Drove past the gym while test driving a car and thought “Hey, local box so I can start back at crossfit. I’ll look them up later.”  (We are glad you did and I am glad you lost the headphones after that first WOD, well until that bitch Fran and Murph rolled around.)

Was it love at first WOD? Heck yea! My first WOD was self led in a weight room full of Italians, Turkish, and Germans who were all staring at me like a moron as I jumped from machine to machine. I was smoked after a 10 minute workout and fell in love. (What 2.0 probably forgot to leave out was that he might have had a puking episode after the workout too!?  If that happens it usually gets better…..Cody, we are still waiting and in the mean time you know where the bucket, mop, and the water are located.)

Favorite WOD or movements? All Gymnastic movements or Olympic lifts. Favorite WOD is Diane.

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Stuff for tall people. Box jumps, wall balls, or running. GHD Back Extensions turn my legs to rubber too.

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? Describe your experience here. Getting my first ring muscle up! It’s been great here. Everyone is friendly and with no ego’s running around everyone gets along and keeps the environment positive. Negative energy is debilitating for exercise.  (2.0 might be one of the guys whose name is all over the leader board but he never fails to cheer on that last athlete to finish and offer advice and help.  Nice job.  Signed, Yoda (aka as Jedi Grand Master!)

Why do you CrossFit? It’s the type of fitness I love and need for what I do with the military.

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know?  I do Kermit the Frog and Cookie Monster impressions for my son.  (Impression soon coming to a CF box near you.)