Meet member Emily K.

Name: Emily Kallos

Age: 34

Occupation:Senior Campaign Manager for the Atlanta Light The Night Walk- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). LLS is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer and has a mission to Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. I work on the Light The Night campaign which is an annual, family friendly, fundraising walk that brings hope and light to patients, survivors, caregivers, and those that have lost a loved one to cancer. It is a fun festival like evening that ends with participants carrying illuminated balloons on a leisurely walk to light the night sky. I pretty much think I have one of the coolest and most meaningful jobs possible. If you’re so inclined, you can come on out to Centennial Olympic Park on Saturday, October 12^th to see exactly what I do all day!

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? Years of failed gym memberships due to extreme boredom. Then 2 years of run/walk training for two ½ marathons.

CrossFitting Since: November 9, 2012

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting?  I have an amazing group of health mind friends and family, many of which are Crossfitters at Sting and other local boxes. My husband and I had spent the last year and half reading, watching documentaries, and listening to others, not on how to diet, but how to eat clean, real, from the Earth food. I noticed immediately the changes in our energy and mood when our diet changed, but we were still not 100% where we wanted to be. With the encouragement of family and friends we decided that we’d give Crossfit a chance, even though I didn’t think it was for me. Since we know many of the athletes at Crossfit Sting it seemed the best place for us to start and it’s become our Crossfit home. Peter and I have both felt welcomed, encouraged, supported, and strong since day one! (Truthfully, Anna was also pushing Emily for years to give CrossFit a shot.  We are thankful that Emily has trusted us enough to come in and has really been amazing.)

Was it love at first WOD? I would say it was more like the WOD passed me a note, folded 80’s style, that said- – Do you like me? Check yes, no, or maybe with a big red check mark on maybe.   (Emily has been extra tough on herself and we are working on this daily.  She has made some amazing gains.  I even got to see her conquer some real fears at the Spartan Race this past weekend.  I was like a proud mom watching her scale those walls and climb the cargo net!)

Favorite WOD or movements? With the exception of Filthy Fifty I’ve really enjoyed all the named WOD’s. We did Filthy during my first few weeks and I thought I was near death. I’m sure if we do it again soon I’ll change my tune and love it. I also really enjoy the Saturday team WOD’s.  (Since Emily wrote this I am happy to say she requested this for her birthday last week and not only did she complete it she was faster and completed more things as Rx!)

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Bar work- need to get over the pain in my hands.

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? Describe your experience here. There are many, all of which center about the sense of family and community at the box. My most recent favorite was during a Saturday team WOD, we had an uneven number of participants and two teams had 4 members instead of 5. Teams that had completed the WOD before the small teams jumped in and completed the movements with them to get the job done. Teamwork. Family. Encouragement. That’s what I love the most.

Why do you CrossFit? To get stronger, keep a level head, lose weight, and socialize with my friends and family on a daily basis, something I wasn’t able to do before CrossFit.

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? I’ll try anything at least once (well just about anything) if it’s to do good, be good, or feel good! It is my life’s goal to not miss out on good things because of fear.  I am also a part time Happy Picture Taker (aka: photographer- but that really seems to formal of a title for what I do) and love capturing moments of families and children as they are “right now”. I believe you should have beautiful images of yourself and the people you love to be shared with generations to come, even if you think you need to lose 10 pounds, get a haircut, etc. because to the people in your world you are perfect and stunning. A good photograph becomes a keepsake that they will cherish long after you’ve gone. (Check them out http://www.luluphotos.com/)