When did you start doing CrossFit?
I started doing Crossfit in May of 2012, with my husband, John. We were looking for something different, and less boring, than just a regular gym.
Favorite WOD?
Karen (wall ball!)
Least Favorite WOD?
14.2, 15.2, etc… C2B and overhead squats
Favorite Lift?
Cleans
Least Favorite Lift?
Snatch
Tell us a little bit about yourself (family, job, sports, military, interests, etc.).
I’m a kid at heart! I teach special education to a group of amazing boys at a private school. I live in Southampton with my wonderful husband, John, and our two rescued pups. I love animals so much that I work at a kennel in the summer for fun. In high school, I was a swimmer/diver. I grew up dancing, singing, and playing instruments and I love to perform. I have trouble sitting still – so anything active, especially outdoors, will keep me smiling. Hiking, swimming, running, camping, scuba diving, and John even convinced me to paraglide off of a mountain once!
What were you doing before CrossFit?
Same old, same old at Retro Fitness. I ran on the treadmill incessantly and when it came to lifting — I benched an empty bar (haha!) Before Crossfit, I was into running 5K’s and other races.
What were your thoughts after your first CrossFit workout?
The first Crossfit workout was not as bad as the second, so I’ll share that story. Wall balls literally put me on my butt. I didn’t think I could do anymore, so I sat down against the wall. Coach MW asked what I was doing! I learned that day that Crossfitters never give up. I was hooked.
What were your goals when joining CrossFit?
As funny as it sounds, I worried about my jeans size! I wanted to be fit, and just running wasn’t giving me the results. John and I joined as something for us to do together.
Please tell us about achieving those goals?
CrossFit is a huge part of our life. It has made me stronger, both physically and emotionally. It taught me how to push through the hard stuff, and rejoice in the achievements. Rarely do I think about jeans size anymore. My mind is instead filled with thoughts of PR’s!
What are some of your best WOD times/ achievements inside the gym?
My most memorable moment is getting c2b randomly in a metcon. I had been working on them for a while with my coaches. I thought I’d “just do pull ups” and then the magic happened. I was squealing with happiness. In the Open this year, I scored a 27 in 15.4 (hspu/heavy cleans). I went into the wod expecting to score a 6! It was a great achievement for me, and I thank everyone who pushed me to do the open this year. Well worth it!
Do you have any other special memories/ achievements during your time here?
My friends at the box are my family. Even if I didn’t lose a pound doing Crossfit, the friendships make the experience. The encouragement, honesty and positivity of these people have forever changed my life.
What advice would you give to a newbie just joining Central Bucks CrossFit?
Don’t look at the white board! Write down your own scores, lifts, and keep track of personal accomplishments. Let others encourage you and always listen to your coaches.
Something you might not know about me is?
Most of my Crossfit friends don’t know that my voice is my hidden talent. I’ve been singing since the age of 3. Ask me to sing for you sometime 🙂
Coaches notes: Rachel’s smile and attitude are infectious. The passion she puts out into not just her WODs but also her life, is admirable. One cannot help but notice the hard work and dedication she has, and her drive makes others better as well. Truly a tremendous person to be around and coach!