Category: Athlete Profile

Name: Kara

Age: 30

Occupation: Part time RN, Full time Mom. I current work Labor and Delivery at Northside as well as at Atlanta Center for Reproductive Medicine in their OR. (We might have to require that our pregnant CrossFitters are in Kara’s classes when they get into their final weeks, just sayin’) I spend half of my work days helping people get pregnant and the other half delivering babies. Then my home days are spent with Olivia and Caroline, my own little reproductions.  (These little reproductions, or living dolls, can be seen in the box quite often and we are so glad they are finally warming up to us!  Just in time for kids classes soon!)

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit?  In my younger years I did everything, but never had a passion for anything until I was in college and was on a Crew team. Sadly, that was my last dedication to any activity. In more recent years I kept a gym membership which I would infrequent. I think I have tried every class possible, but nothing ever kept my attention.  (Kara really is an excellent rower so if you need ANY tips Kara is your girl, plus she’s really tall so that helps with rowing.)

CrossFitting Since: January 2013

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting?  I have a cousin who used to own a CrossFit in Alpharetta that Danielle and Jessica were a part of. I contacted him one day after looking at all of his CrossFit pics and he gave me the run down of every box in the area. Within minutes he had contacted Sting and I had the intro appointment set up. The ball started rolling so fast that I didn’t even have time to over think (or back out of) what I was doing. That’s how I knew it was meant to be.  (Very true story, we were all contacting each other simultaneously she didn’t have a choice.  Still wondering what the “blurb” about us said in  the run down of the area boxes.  However, very glad that you chose us.)

Was it love at first WOD? Yes, and I am not lying. When I woke up the next day and could barely move I had a smile on my face from ear to ear. I knew this was what was going to turn things around for me. I remember one night being in so much pain and praying that I could walk in the morning so that I could go back. I love hard work and I still get butterflies in my stomach before every WOD. It’s definitely love!

Favorite WOD or movements? I secretly like the really long WODs. I love looking at the board and thinking there is no way in hell I will finish this and then totally surprising myself. I like the weights, kettle bells, the GHD, wall balls, running and rowing now of course.  (Does this mean that you secretly love the Air Force WOD and can’t wait to repeat that one?)

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Hahaha, this is a no brainer. Anyone who has done a WOD with me knows I dislike jumping. This includes jumping rope, box jumps, lateral jumps, broad jumps, frog jumps, those PVC jumps… Did I miss any? I dislike them mainly because I am nearly six feet tall and feel like it should be easy, but I truly suck at it. I will get over it eventually. I’m also not a fan of sit ups, but mainly because I keep a purple/raw backside. I swear my sacrum is deformed. The more sit ups I do the more I feel a small tail beginning to form. Ha, I’m going to stop there.  (Here is a picture of Kara’s homemade box for her to practice on at home, notice the writing on top…….Today I will not be defeated by inanimate objects!)

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? When we repeated our intro WOD. I know I have improved over my three months but this was the first real proof of it. It wasn’t just the improvement in time and weight, it was remembering how I felt after that first WOD and the anticipation and excitement of reaching a point where I could RX and be able to function afterwards. To get to that point in three months just blows my mind. And it wasn’t just my own personal achievement, it was everyone’s. To see so many people improve and so many people truly proud of their accomplishment was very powerful.

Why do you CrossFit? I CrossFit because I am addicted. I love the way it makes me feel. Being new to the area I sought out Crossfit at what I feel was a low point in my life. We had recently moved away from all of our family and friends, we had new jobs, new school, new house and I missed the old and comfortable like crazy. I felt depressed, gained 10 lbs and decided something had to change. I even saw a therapist, but after she fell asleep during our session (true story) I decided I’d try something else. Then I found you guys and three short months later I am loving it here. My outlook has entirely changed I feel empowered and strong and I have met so many amazing people. I also love that my girls get to be a part of it and witness what a positive influence a healthy lifestyle can be.  (Kara has really jumped in full force, she rarely misses a WOD and has been eating clean since she started.  If anyone wants any tips or recipe ideas she would be a good contact in addition to a few other members.)

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know?  I am studying to take the GRE and it’s the worst part of applying for school. I have hopes of starting my WHNP (Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner) program next Spring. I really enjoy being in school and I am getting the itch, weird I know! Before I went to nursing school I studied Forensic Anthropology and spent a lot of time on body farms and with cadavers. People always find that interesting… or disgusting.

Name: Pierce Herrin

Age: 29

Occupation: Credit Manager for an automotive paint distributor

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? Oh, let me count the ways…. I started playing football when I was six years old for a father with a penchant for strength training; believing there was never a substitute for strength. Once I got to varsity level play, I was in our fieldhouse daily with the team doing olympic lifts, runs, body lifts (sound familiar?) and doing it all as a unit. I loved every minute of it. During college, I joined a barbell club and later bounced around every globe-o-gym around trying to replicate the same experience and physical wellness I had earlier. For 10 years, I never found what I was looking for and just ended up with wasting a lot of money.

CrossFitting Since: January 2013

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? I’m the lucky winner of the Dutch Monkey CrossFit Sting Challenge (Thanks Arpana!!!).  (For those of you that didn’t know we ran a Facebook contest with Dutch Monkey Doughnuts asking why you should receive a free month of CrossFit.  Most likes to the comment was the winner, which was Pierce.  Go like our page since now every time we hit 100 new likes we will give away something again!  Go like DMD’s page while you’re at it too!)

Was it love at first WOD? I would say love at 2nd WOD. Running the intro-WOD, I really didn’t get the community feel that I love so much about our WODs.

Favorite WOD or movements? Grace. Good, old-fashioned lifting. Lots and lots of lifting. And any 1RM day.

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Running, pull-ups, running, burpees (this is getting less and less on my hated list for some reason) running, kettlebell swings – just because it really hurts when you have bad form, and oh, did I mention running? Lets not forget anything that will cause Danielle to have to catch me from falling because I passed out.  (Thankfully you didn’t really pass out but I do believe you were pretty close!  You have been working really hard and we are proud of you.  Glad you took the plunge not knowing any members and trusting that we would take care of you and make you a part of our community.)

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? It’s hard to narrow down to just one. Having such a good CrossFit Total so many years after powerlifting actively; shaving 7 minutes off my intro-WOD time; and simply this fantastic community we are building. Makes me smile the encouragement and motivation we give each other on a daily basis.  (You re-doing your intro WOD is one of OUR favorite moments at Sting!)

Why do you CrossFit? I CrossFit to better myself, to live longer and fuller, and to maintain the temple my God has blessed me with. I CrossFit because it’s fun, it pushes me, and wears me out. I CrossFit because it helps me and allows me to help others. I CrossFit because I love it and it is what I need. -Sorry, this question was begging for a mantra 🙂

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? My family raised cattle while I was growing up (for fun, mind you, not for a living) and while I tagging a calf, its mother came up and bit me in the rear end. I promptly jumped up and punched her in the head, breaking my hand.

Since they BOTH returned their profiles the same day, they are a very cute couple AND it’s Joe’s birthday…..let’s meet them BOTH!  Usually, it’s ladies first but today it is birthday boy answers first.

Name: Joe Nakanishi
Name: Michelle Roushey

Age: 41 TODAY (Happy Birthday Day to YOU!)
Age: 39

Occupation: Database administrator
Occupation: Full time job in Inside Sales, full time mom, cook, taxi driver…etc etc etc

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? A brief membership at Lifetime fitness, jogging, not much.
Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? I always would look for the easy fix and kept trying crazy diets. Started walking/running about 2 miles a day during lunch about two years ago and then in the past year, I have pretty much done nothing except gain 30 pounds.

CrossFitting Since: Feb 2013
CrossFitting Since: Feb 2013

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? Michelle knew Traci and she made me come.  (I think Michelle is still MAKING you come to CrossFit, when can we catch you smiling during a WOD?)
How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? I saw some posts and pictures on Traci Gilbertson’s facebook and I broke down and messaged her to please help and tell me about CrossFit because I needed to find something to get me out of my unhealthy misery. (I do believe the misery is over, what a change you have made in the gym the last few weeks, pushing harder and maybe even having a little fun?)

Was it love at first WOD? Lol, no. Not at all. I was sore for two days after the intro and could barely walk the next day.
Was it love at first WOD? Absolutely NOT and at times it is still a love/hate relationship, but becoming more love than hate. (See above comment, we see more love too.)

Favorite WOD or movements? PVC warm ups, laying on ground gasping for breath every WOD (see most of my pics). Seriously I’d say Air Force because I didn’t think I was going to finish it.  (You mean like this picture…….

Favorite WOD or movements? My favorite WOD was doing my Intro again to see if I had any improvements. I was able to increase my wall ball weight 4 pounds, move up to a 35 pound kettle bell, did REAL box jumps and was able to decrease my time, which was completely unexpected.  (Michelle, you kicked that WODs booty.)

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Overhead squats…mostly because I fall over when I do them.
Least favorite WOD or Movements? This is a no brainer…I despise wall balls and burpees (unless taped to Joe doing them, lol) and the Air Force WOD. Air Force WOD was the first time I thought I was going to have to quit and not finish.(I thought Michelle was going to punch me in the face or tell me to shove CrossFit up my a$$ when I tried to encourage her.) I was able to pull through but would prefer to NEVER have to do it again (hint hint). OH and most recently, rowing has become one of my least favorite things to do because my butt does not stay on the seat…get me some velcro and maybe I will change my mind!! 

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? Describe your experience here. This last week with Coaches appreciation day and the Wedding WOD. It was great to meet everyone and see those we noon time people have only met a couple of time. Everyone at Crossfit Sting is encouraging, kind and generous. You all are a great group of people.  (We couldn’t agree more with you Joe, now you need to start to recruiting more people to the noon class!)
Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? Describe your experience here. Believe it or not, I have a lot of favorite Sting moments (some wouldn’t be able to tell with all my whining I do during each class). One of them being when I was finally able to get over the mental challenge and did my first box jump. I also completely loved this past week. Meeting all the other members that make up this amazing CrossFit family. The Wedding WOD has now taken the lead as my favorite!

Why do you CrossFit? Michelle makes me.  (Guess we know who wears the pants in this relationship.)
Why do you CrossFit? Because I need to be able to get back into all the clothes that are hanging in my closet and need to be able to feel good in a wedding dress next May 🙂 And more seriously, I needed to find a way to get healthy and start feeling better about myself…crying every morning while trying to get ready for work was getting me nowhere!  (Michelle is looking awesome!)

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? I secretly love burpees (especially taped to Michelle), thrusters, and wall balls.
Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? I am a divorced mother of 3 and have been in a way, given a second chance at life after meeting the love of my life, Joe! Together we have 5 kids ranging from 7 to 16 years old and I can’t wait to finally call him my husband in May of 2014.  (I smell another wedding WOD coming on, these two really liked being tied up, I mean taped together.)

Name: Cody Bullis

Age: 37

Occupation: Adult Film Star

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? Good old fashioned pumping iron. I was doing spin and body pump (I know…) class for cardio. Max and I did a good amount of Kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu. (I don’t know about anyone else but I just got a mental picture of Cody doing body pump and actually laughed out loud.)
CrossFitting Since: Feb 2011 with about a 1 year ‘break’ thrown in the mix.  (Nice way to put that Cody, maybe you and Arpana should talk.)

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? I know people.

Was it love at first WOD? Pretty much. Anna (Cody’s wife) and I were doing wod’s at Gold’s together so we looked a bit out of place. We’d have bars set up and stuff everywhere, running all over the place, making noise as the guys doing curls and women standing around chatting watched and judged.  (Cody, we would never believe that you were “making noise”, you are always so quiet when you are lifting heavy weights.)

Favorite WOD or movements? Everyone tends to like the stuff they are good at so I like pull-ups, K2E, KB swings – I guess more of the met-con movements. I can’t wait to get my meat hooks back on a rower handle.

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Front squats, thrusters, full snatches, squat cleans. There is a theme, I don’t really like the squat movements very much. They crush my soul.

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment?  I wouldn’t call it one moment but I loved helping set up the space and watch the girls grow the gym out of nothing. I am really proud of you two. (Awww, thanks!  We couldn’t have done it without your help and your continued help.  So, we will putting up the two new GHD’s and then changing out the bar on the rig to the muscle up bar this weekend?)

Why do you CrossFit? So my wife doesn’t leave me for a younger man or Ryan Gosling. (So he can scream and grunt in public and mumble inappropriate things under his breath.)

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? I’ve never been into outer space. (I am surprised that was the best you could do Cody.  Thanks for playing!)

Name: Jenna

Age: 26

Occupation: Middle School Teacher

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? the infamous elliptical workout at LA Fitness

CrossFitting Since: December 2010

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? I’ve been CrossFitting with Danielle and Jessica for over 2 years and was so excited when they opened up Crossfit Sting! I couldn’t turn down the black and yellow!  (Jenna is a Georgia Tech grad!)

Was it love at first WOD? No, not at all. I think most people didn’t think I’d make it a month (me neither). Once I started seeing improvements in my lifts and skills, I began to really enjoy it. I’ve never enjoyed “working out” before, but with the amazing company at CrossFit Sting, it’s always fun! (even if it hurts!)  (We have to admit that we didn’t think Jenna would last either when we all started over 2 years ago.  Those of you that have feared the box and had to have your hand held.  Jenna can relate.  However, the changes we have seen in Jenna in the past 2-3 months is just awesome.  She has become a beast.  Lifting heavy weights and improving her times dramatically!  It has been so great to watch her.)

Favorite WOD or movements? I like working on my strength with the olympic lifts: Cleans, Clean and Jerk, etc. I tend to prefer upper body strength, because I have beastly strong shoulders.  (She left out booty shaking in the middle of the WOD and photo bombing.)

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Anything that gives me an asthma attack: wall balls, thrusters, wall balls, thrusters…

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? Describe your experience here. Of course, I have more than one favorite. My favorite CrossFit Sting moments are mostly from the Saturday team WODs. I love getting to work together with other people to accomplish a goal. Another one of my favorite moments would be finally getting to Power Clean 100lbs after dealing with an injury for nearly 6 months. It’s a great feeling to be back! (pun intended).  (Jenna sent this to me a few weeks ago and yesterday she got a 100# hang clean and just missed 105#.  Next time we do 1RM power cleans she will get more than 100#, I am sure of it!  This is what it all about “measurable” progress!)

Why do you CrossFit? I CrossFit to beat my Irish- Italian carb-loving genetics! Also I need to get in shape, so I can land a rich husband.  (Forgot to mention earlier that Jenna has a great sense of humor…oh wait, she is not kidding!)

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? I got a pony for my sixteenth birthday.

Athlete Profile….Scott M.

Name: Scott McNaney

Age: 46

Occupation: Major Account Executive

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? The usual weight training and cardio, at LA Fitness, Lifetime etc. usually 3 days a week.

CrossFitting Since: July 2012

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? Worked out with and knew Danielle and Jessica before they opened CrossFit Sting.

Was it love at first WOD? Yes and No! Some WODs I never thought I’d survive early and were really challenging to finish even! But quickly came to enjoy the challenge of each one, especially the modifications and working on form first.

Favorite WOD or movements? All Met Con’s, AMRAP’s, EMOTM’s. Push Press, Box Jumps, Situps.  (Scott really likes to use the lingo, so go check out the definitions page to understand this answer!)

Least favorite WOD or Movements? KBS, WallBalls (I believe he also left out SDHPs, OHS,handstands and listening.  Am I correct, Scott?)

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? It was cool to be at CrossFit Sting right at the beginning when Danielle and Jessica started it all. Doing the WOD’s before the mats were even down. Also doing Kipping Pullups without bands after just a few months.  (Scott was our first official member and we thank you for your support and trust in us!)

Why do you CrossFit? I like the team training environment, not having to think of what workout to do each day, the variety of the WODS, and not wanting to miss the challenge of that days’ Strength/Skill and WOD. Also the pushing by the trainers and other members to get better, fitter, and stronger.

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? Played 2 sports in College, (GK in Soccer and SS in Baseball) before getting drafted and playing in the Baltimore Orioles Organization.