October Athlete of the Month – Monica Martin

1. Where are you from originally? 
I was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and lived there until I was 6 (my mom is from there and I was born during Vietnam, my dad’s draft number came up and he wanted her near family while he was gone); I was reared in Nashville, TN.

2. What is your favorite Bootcamp movement?
I have to come to love back squats and I’m working to conquer toes to bar.

3. What is your least favorite Bootcamp Movement?
I hate climbing the rope and pull-ups.

4. What were you doing before Bootcamp? How did you hear about CrossFit and/Northlake Bootcamp?
Before I came to Bootcamp, I worked out at another gym in NoDa where we did HIIT workouts. I enjoyed the camaraderie but I wasn’t seeing results.  I was researching my options and an ad popped up on Facebook that talked about the Bootcamp challenge and I decided to go visit.  The rest is history.

5. What other sports or activities do you participate in besides Bootcamp?
I mainly wrangle teen humans and coerce them to read hard books. Otherwise I tutor, help kids plan for college, ghost write and edit. When she has time, I love to hang out with my amazing daughter – she’s in college at Wake.  I may do a short run on Sundays just to clear my head – otherwise nothing more strenuous than people watching or reading a good book.

6. How many times per week do you Workout?
I come to every 6:45 pm bootcamp you offer – so that’s four days a week and now with the new Wednesday class five days – YAY!!!

7. What is your athletic background?
I have been athletic since middle school, once I hit 6’0” the coaches encouraged me to try different sports. I played volleyball, basketball and ran track.  I love the 400m and mile relay but my coach had me do all kinds of events, my junior year I set the state record in the 400m.  When I first began to teach, I even coached the same sports.

8. Give us some insight as to your thoughts after your first workout at CrossFit Northlake.
I had not worked out in two months when I first came to CrossFit Northlake. I was a bit winded and convinced that burpees were my mortal enemy, but I knew two things – 1.  I was coming back and 2.  I had met some of the nicest people.  I have enjoyed the challenge and training that is offered at the gym.

9. Do you have any special or favorite Northlake Bootcamp memories/moments?
I think I was most proud of running a mile with the slamball – I typically avoid distances because they are boring, but I enjoyed the challenge of not stopping or letting my head talk me into walking. Or, maybe when I completed 100 kettlebell swings unbroken – I kept telling myself to just keep swinging and breathing.

10. What advice would you give to a newbie or someone just joining Northlake Bootcamp?
Be willing to make yourself uncomfortable. You can’t get better without pushing yourself and your best competition was your stats from the previous workout.

11. What is your eating style?
I would say paleo light (most days paleo one day of wild abandonment). When I stray or get carried away with “cheating” I don’t feel optimal.

12. What kind of results have you seen since starting at CrossFit Northlake?
I would say that with the exception of my high school and college years, I am in the best shape of my adult life. I have seen definite muscle definition, increased toning, mental clarity and greater endurance.  The variety of workouts, training, instruction, and nutritional feedback has helped me tremendously.

13. What do you do for a living?
I am an IB Coordinator and I teach the senior IB students English.

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