May Spotlight Athlete: Bethany Valdez

Name: Bethany Valdez 

Age:  21

Occupation: Nursing Student

Deadlift Max: 165

 Back-squat Max:  115

Got Muscle-ups?  Nope

1 mile run:  6:07

Favorite WOD:  Anything with running or box jumps

Favorite Lift:  Power jerk

How long have you been CrossFitting?  1 year

Which class time do you usually attend? Mon/Wed 6:15pm Endurance Tues/Sat

How did you find CrossFit? My mom, she thought it would be a good idea for me, so I came to try it out.

What is your athletic background?  Growing up I did a variety of sports: soccer, softball, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and ended up running cross-country and track in high school, and was named captain my senior year.

How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?   I feel a lot stronger/healthier and my running times have dropped tremendously.

What motivates/inspires you?  Honestly I got tired of being called out before workouts by BJ because I was using lighter weights or modifying when I probably shouldn’t have. So I decided to change that by making higher standards for myself and pushing myself harder than I ever have. Having everyone push each other has also been a big help.

What is your proudest (CF) achievement?  RXing for the first time, which took me a year to achieve.

Name one goal/personal achievement that you would like to achieve through CrossFit.  I would like to compete someday.

Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit? Besides being a full time student and having an internship, the extra time I do have is spent at the box, training for marathons, and hanging out with friends.

What is your favorite cheat meal?  Hmm…it seems like all of my meals are cheat meals but my favorite would have to be four cheese lasagna with garlic bread and ice cream for dessert! J

Any advice for new members?  Don’t be intimidated by anyone, just work hard and you’ll get to where you want to be.

Have you met Pukie? Nope

April Spotlight Athletes: Keri Smith and Brandon Howe

Name: Keri Smith
Age: 25 
Occupation: Police Officer
 
Deadlift Max: 235
 Back-squat Max: 185 
Got Muscle-ups? Not yet.
1 mile run: 8:29 
Favorite WOD: DT
Favorite Lift: Clean
How long have you been CrossFitting? A year and a half

Which class time do you usually attend? Mon., Tues., and Thurs. at 615pm and Saturday Endurance class.

How did you find CrossFit? I heard about CrossFit from a former coworker. I looked into it, found the main site, and realized I didn't have the equipment nor knowledge to do CrossFit. A year later, I drove passed a CrossFit place, and after a long google search, I found Clear Lake CrossFit. My gut told me this was the place and haven't looked backed.

What is your athletic background? I played basketball and tennis in Jr. High and Varsity Fencing in High School.

How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness? It's completely overhauled my life. It's given me more strength, endurance, and energy not just for fitness, but for everyday life as well.

What motivates/inspires you? Everyone at the box. I love the fact that everyone pushes each other pass their limits and helps one another achieve goals and/or get through a WOD.

What is your proudest (CF) achievement? I've had a lot of proud moments. For the longest, it was finally getting over the fear of being upside down and achieving a handstand. Here recently, it's been getting pull-ups without a band and getting a few chest to bar pull-ups thanks to Open WOD 13.5.

Name one goal/personal achievement that you would like to achieve through CrossFit. I want to continue to grow as a CrossFitter and become stronger and faster.

Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit? I like being with family and friends in  my free time. Work takes up a lot of my time; so, CrossFit is my hobby.

What is your favorite cheat meal? My mom's homemade pizza.

Any advice for new members? Showing up is the hardest part. Just keep showing up to the box and stick with it. Don't worry about what others are doing. Stay strong, do your best, and have fun!

Have you met Pukie? Close, but not yet!

Name:Brandon  Howe       
Age: 31
Occupation: Budweiser Brand Manager
Deadlift Max: 305
Back-squat Max: 315
Got Muscle-ups? Not Yet
1 mile run: 9:15
Favorite WOD: Grace
Favorite Lift:  Clean & Jerk
How long have you been CrossFitting?1 year

 Which class time do you usually attend?  M,T,TH 4:15PM

How did you find CrossFit? My best friend and fellow athlete Travis Hobbs (WFD) kept telling me stories about it and also how his captain had been losing a lot of weight doing it. So I hit the big “Free Trial” button and off I went.

What is your athletic background? None, Zero, Nada. Little League was the extent of it. I was a band nerd.

How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness? It’s changed everything about me. It’s a part of my life. Everyone who knows me knows where I am on M,T,TH at 4:15. Even though I have no athletic background, I still crave competition and new adventures. I also have an energy level that I have never had. I now seek out outdoor activities instead of being inside watching TV. I have also discovered how truly strong I am. I remember doing my first back squat exercise with just the bar and looking over seeing some guys with 2 45’s on each side of the bar. I thought to myself and said, no way will I ever be able do that. Now I max with 3 45’s on each side of the bar. Crossfit has simply made me tell myself that yes I can. Will it be easy? Hell No. But it will be worth it. I see what fitness really is now. I love the fact that at CLCF I’m referred to as an athlete.

What motivates/inspires you? Being better every day. I have already exceeded what I ever thought I could do. I am now playing with house money so to speak. I look forward to getting bigger, stronger, and faster and mastering the movements that give me problems. Just can’t wait to see what else I can achieve.

What is your proudest (CF) achievement? Completing the 2013 Crossfit games Open. I was able to perform every movement. May not have been the best form, but it got done (C2B Pullups, T2B). During the open, I achieved many first times. It was great.

Name one goal/personal achievement that you would like to achieve through CrossFit. Competing. I have it in me to be better. I would love to be able to throw it down with the best in our box during our in house competitions. I am working towards that goal.

Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit? Golf. Gardening and now Ive gotten into backyard chicken farming. I look forward to bringing fresh veggies and eggs to the box for everybody.

What is your favorite cheat meal? Jack in the Box & Fried Shrimp

Any advice for new members? Warmup with a purpose. I have noticed how certain warmup exercises and mobility translate to the WOD. We warmup for a reason. Next, honor your coach. What I mean is respect them and listen to them. They care about your fitness and progress as much if not more than you do. All of them give their time during the week to help you achieve your goals as well as the goals of your box mates. They are valuable assets and resources that help set CrossFit apart from any other fitness program.

Have you met Pukie? Yep, 30 minutes into my first session. I’m not even sorry.

February 2013: Colleen D'Ercole and Jason Landry

Deadlift Max: 213
Back-squat Max: 165
Got Muscle-ups? Nope
1 mile run: 8:15

Name: Colleen D’Ercole
Age: 50
Occupation: RN in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Favorite WOD: Have not found one yet. I love the anticipation of coming in and finding out just how I’m going to challenge myself that day.
Favorite Lift:  Deadlift, because lifting a lot of weight makes me feel like a badass!

How long have you been CrossFitting? About 10 months.
Which class time do you usually attend?  Monday-Wednesday class at 615pm.
How did you find CrossFit? My daughter (Amanda) and I wanted to get in better shape for a cruise that she got me for my birthday. We both worked with different people who had experience with CrossFit so we decided to give it a try. After all, if it didn’t kill us it would make us stronger.

What is your athletic background? With the risk of dating myself too much, I grew up in a different time than most of the athletes I see at the box. I remember going to the baseball field with my brothers to try out for the Little League team and having the coach tell me I could not try out because I was a girl. I played Varsity field hockey, basketball, and softball all four years of high school. After that I just played recreational sports. I coached my kids' baseball and soccer teams when they were little and one of the moms asked me if I wanted to join her indoor soccer team. I immediately fell in love with it. I did some running for a few years and now I play on a COED softball team and do CrossFit. Mainly I just want to stay active and enjoy myself along the way.
How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness? I have always enjoyed to companionship of team sports but I also like being independent. CrossFit seems to have a perfect balance. There is definitely an air of competitiveness in the box but there is also always someone there to cheer on his or her neighbor when necessary. 
What motivates/inspires you? I am such a competitive person that when I go to a workout I am always comparing myself to everyone else. Not to the point that I get discouraged but enough to make myself push harder and be better than I thought possible. There are so many amazing athletes around that I never get tired of watching them perform and this makes me want to try even harder. 
What is your proudest (CF) achievement? This is really a hard thing to pick because I am really proud of a lot of things that I have accomplished over the last ten months. All of us like adding more weight to the bar, mastering a technique, and improving our mile time.  I would have to say the thing that I am the most proud of is that I show up. I come to my classes and I try to be the best 50-year-old CrossFitter that I can be every single day. I can’t tell you how many times I find myself shaking my head as I walk to my car and telling myself that I can’t believe I just finished that WOD - and then I smile. 
Name one goal/personal achievement that you would like to achieve through CrossFit. I am hoping that with a little more time with CrossFit I might just be able to find the motivation I need to improve my nutritional habits. I am not quite sure what this will entail but any improvement will help. 
Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit? Of course my family is the most important thing in my life. My dog, Sophie is very special to me and believe it or not most of the time I really love my job.
What is your favorite cheat meal? Well most of my meals are cheat meals so it’s kinda hard to have a favorite! 
Any advice for new members? I would recommend that you find what motivates you and use it to your advantage. I am competitive, so coming to the gym and standing next to someone younger and fitter than me makes me do things that normally I would not think of doing. Don’t be intimidated by the person next to you - learn something from them. Everyone deserves a spot in the box, so just claim yours and run with it.
Have you met Pukie? Close, but no cigar!

Deadlift Max: 430
Back-squat Max: 360
Got Muscle-ups? Yep.. Had em, lost em, got em back just in time for the Crossfit Open
1 mile run: 6:32

Name: Jason Landry
Age:40
Occupation: Director of Operations @ Datavox

Favorite WOD: DT
Favorite Lift: Clean & Jerk (or anything heavy I can throw over my head)

How long have you been CrossFitting? 2 years
Which class time do you usually attend? Monday & Wednesday @ 6:15, Saturday am
How did you find CrossFit? My wife made me go, then I was immediately hooked.
What is your athletic background? Baseball as a kid, football in jr high and high school.
How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness? CrossFit (our box) has taught me skills I NEVER thought I would ever do, whether it has to do with running, lifting, eating healthy etc... All have made me faster, stronger, healthier and more confident, which I can carry outside of the box and apply in the real world. The box community, by far, has the most awesome people!!
What motivates/inspires you? Everyone in the box motivates me. Seeing everyone struggle and fight together to get through a WOD is an awesome experience. It's not easy to describe to people what we do, you have to personally experience it. We are all there with the same goal, to be a little better than we were yesterday.
What is your proudest (CF) achievement? Have to say MU and DU
Name one goal/personal achievement that you would like to achieve through CrossFit. Regionals, for the old farts.. I mean Masters
Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit? Spending time chilling with the fam, work, hunting, fishing
What is your favorite cheat meal? Pizza or Mexican food (with margaritas of course)
Any advice for new members? Don't give up! It's not easy, but the harder you work, the bigger the payoff..
Have you met Pukie? I've seen him driving down NASA many times, but have never met him... Yet

January 2013: Emily Rapesak and Joe Molis

Name: Emily Rapesak
Age: 23
Occupation: pharmacy student

Deadlift Max: 185
Back-squat Max: 135
Got Muscle-ups? nope, but I'm working on it! 
1 mile run: 6:55

Favorite WOD: Annie or anything with double unders, burpees, or body weight movements
Favorite Lift: clean

How long have you been CrossFitting? 1.5 years, wow time flies! 
Which class time do you usually attend? I like to get around. I go to the 5:15 pm, sometimes 8 am, and when I have a free Saturday I go to the endurance class. I especially like the 5:15 pm class because it is a good way to decompress after sitting at school for hours. 

How did you find CrossFit? Through one of my rugby teammates. She was in fantastic shape and I asked her how she did it. She started talking about CrossFit and the rest is history.

What is your athletic background? As I kid, I played lots of sports: ice skating, swimming, karate, and basketball. In high school I did marching band (that counts as a sport!) and in college I played on a women's rugby team. 
How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness? I feel stronger, faster, and everyone wonders at how I have so much energy. 

What motivates/inspires you? Everyone at CLCF! Seriously, it is so inspiring to see everyday people work hard and achieve their goals. A big shout-out goes to the women who are/were pregnant and kept coming to the gym. You are amazing! 

What is your proudest (CF) achievement? Doing a whole WOD that had pull-ups with no band! My hands got some mighty fine blisters afterwards... but I like them. They are my war scars!
Name one goal/personal achievement that you would like to achieve through CrossFit. I would like a muscle-up!
Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit? I looove music, reading, anything outdoors, and spending time with friends and family. Most of the time I spend is at school going to class or studing, so CrossFit is my hobby!
What is your favorite cheat meal? Anything with rice! As a kid, I would have rice for breakfast, lunch, dinner and in all shapes and forms (white rice, sticky rice, and rice porridge). That was the staple in my meal so when I went paleo I had say, "Bye, my love." I even threw my rice cooker away! 

Any advice for new members? *to the voice of Dory from Finding Nemo* Just keep lifting/running/jumping/whatever you are doing. Just keep going! Don't look around to see what others are doing... unless if suspect you are going to get hit by a kettlebell. WATCH OUT! Strive to do better each time you are in the gym. 
Have you met Pukie? Not yet...

Before CrossFit

Name: Joseph Molis 
Age: 28
Occupation: Retired United States Marine

Deadlift Max: 385lbs
Back-squat Max: 275lbs
Got Muscle-ups? Big negative ghost rider!
1 mile run: 5:50

Favorite WOD: Endurance wods, no favorite yet...
Favorite Lift: Dead lift

How long have you been CrossFitting? May 2012
Which class time do you usually attend? 7:15pm usually, 6:15pm lately, 6:15am hardly
How did you find CrossFit? My neighbor Joe Brown talked me into trying a free class.

What is your athletic background? None what so ever till joined the Marines after high school then I became G.I Joe 
How has CrossFit  changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness? It made me realize how much I love being in shape and feeling like a marine again. Last 3 years I have ran the same 5k (houston marathon/5k) finished in 28 minutes at 230+ pounds in 2010 and got a pr this year/month at 21:47 seconds at 195lbs. Want to get back to 17/18 minute 3 mile runs when I was in the service.

What motivates/inspires you? What motivates me the most at the box is hurting and succeeding with a whole group of athletes right along side of me, as a team.  

What is your proudest (CF) achievement? Beating Andrews 1 mile pr time, every time ! Hahahaha no joke..... Here's to your "long legs and big stride" hahaha gotta love a little competition! 
 

Name one goal/personal achievement that you would like to achieve through CrossFit. I would like to someday in the next two years starting today (i need the whole month of january on my side) to competitively compete against athletes rather it be at running, crossfit, bicycle , swimming, shooting, rock paper scissors, whatever. Just a well rounded athlete. Also i was thinking since I been extra good this year I could ask for Headbands to bring home another men's championship trophy. Go headbands!

Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit? My kids/family, pickleball (kinda like tennis), working on my classic car
What is your favorite cheat meal? Rum cake, tortillas, rice, rolls, drinking outta the milk carton. I haven't mastered the diet yet so I wouldn't call it cheating.

Any advice for new members? Just do it, don't think about the pain. Cause your gonna talk yourself outta it every time.
Have you met Pukie? No..... Never....I hate throwing up!

Holly Lynn

Important Stats (if you tested them):
Deadlift Max: 255  
Back-squat Max: 185
Got Muscle-ups? not yet....but soon!!! :D
1 mile run: 6:30

Name:  Holly Lynn
Age: 39 
Occupation:  One day I will own a B&B in Talkeetna, AK.....but for now I am a Gold Buying Girl! :D

Favorite WOD: I'm still looking for a gal that has everything I love: HSPU, double unders, running and cleans.  If you find her, send her my way! :D
Favorite Lift: clean

How long have you been CrossFitting?  IDK... 1+ yr, maybe 2 yrs?  

Which class time do you usually attend?  6:15am for a long time, sometimes 8am, sometimes 5:15pm....I kind of like the 5:15pm class right now, lots of babies to hold, but sometimes they cry and I have to give them back to their mom!! :D

How did you find CrossFit?  Some crazy man in the mountains wouldn't shut up about his Jackie time...i was like, "WTH is he talking about?!"

What is your athletic background?  I was a band nerd and twirler in high school, played softball and ran (mostly from the law, but occasionally for fitness).  I majored in Kinesiology at A&M because it was the only thing I didn't suck at....

How has CrossFit   changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?  Crossfit has made a major impact on my strength and greatly improved my endurance!  Basically...I'm the old gal in the mountains that can keep up with the boys! :D  

What motivates/inspires you?  My kids!  My motto at home is, "Don't ever let someone tell you what you can and can't do!"   I watch my kids SOAR every day because they are not afraid to try....just like their mom! :D

What is your proudest (CF) achievement?  Getting my husband hooked...FINALLY!  :D

Name one goal/personal achievement that you would like to achieve through CrossFit.  I would love to get more young people involved in CF.  The rate of obesity and juvenile diabetes in our country is staggering!  Teach our kids how much FUN and rewarding fitness can be!

Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit?  HELL YEAH!   I LOVE the mountains, hiking, rock climbing, ice climbing.  Mountaineering in the Alaska range is by far the most thrilling adventure I've ever had!  I also love to Halibut and Salmon fish....COMBAT fishing the Russian river is totally CRAZY fun! I also love whitewater rafting and pack rafting!  Our family loves the outdoors...camping, kayaking, fishing, hunting.  We also donate a great deal of our time and energy to Team in Training.  Coaching and fundraising for this organization has allowed us the opportunity to educate individuals new to fitness just how much fun and rewarding it can be to get SWEATY!  

What is your favorite cheat meal?  Grilled cheese and wine...DUH!

Any advice for new members?  Suck it up and come back for more!!!  Remember this shit is FUN!!!  Don't worry about what the guy/girl next to you is doing....work hard, do your best and NEVER QUIT!!!!

Have you met Pukie?  Well of course!  But not at the gym! :D