Blog Header Image

Nick Reyes

   •    

May 5, 2023

November Female Athlete Spotlight - Stormy Merriman

When did you start CrossFitting? Who/what got you started? My first class was June 5, 2017. My husband, Brian, had been trying to get me to try CrossFit for a long time. I was looking for a change in my workout routine at the time so I decided to “try” CrossFit. I told him I would give it a week…the rest, as they say, is history:)What is your favorite/least favorite WOD?I like team WOD’s and any with a lot of barbell work in them. My least favorite are short sprint workouts and anything with rowing in it:)What is your favorite/least favorite movement? My favorite and least favorite movement is the snatch. It’s such a mysterious thing to me how I can be good at it one day and absolutely suck at it another day. I also like cleans and box jumps. I dislike thrusters and rowing.Tell us a little bit about yourself (family, job, sports, interests, etc.) I have been married for 16 years and have a 14 y/o daughter and an 11 y/o son. My husband and I are both Pharmacists and work for OptumRx. We travel at least once a year to see concerts. Favorite venue so far is probably Red Rocks in Colorado, no surprise there. Recently saw a show at The Gorge Amphitheater in Washington, which was also very cool. Avett Brothers are my favorite live band to see at the moment.I played basketball in high school until Sophomore year and was a Cheerleader all 4 years. I was an All-American Cheerleader my Junior year and went to Hawaii to perform in the Aloha Bowl. (I’m sure I’ll get crap for this:)

What was your workout routine before CrossFit? I’ll try to keep this short’ish. I started jogging/running after my daughter was born. It was my first time exercising regularly since high school. I Joined LifeTime Fitness around 2007 and did group fitness, mostly kickboxing, for about 5 years. Absolutely loved the instructor, she was powerful and inspiring. She moved away, and it was never the same. I lost motivation and decided to move on. I joined Title Boxing and enjoyed that for a couple of years. I got a foot injury and had to go low/no impact for a while. I read a book by Mike Matthews, Thinner Leaner Stronger, and learned a lot about weight lifting and nutrition. Started lifting weights for the first time in my life. After years of working out, I saw a real difference in my body for the first time. I got bored lifting by myself, I realized I missed/needed the social aspect of my workouts. Brian’s regular requests for me to try CrossFit actually started to make sense…so I said, yes.What did you think after your first CrossFit workout? It was as awful as I had imagined:) I didn’t know how “these people” could do this every day. On the other hand, I remember looking around and everyone in the class had finished it and survived…and were still so positive and encouraging.

What were your goals when joining CrossFit? Have you achieved any of those goals? My goal when I started CrossFit was to find an exercise program that would keep me engaged and challenged. I definitely found that! Movements I can do now that I couldn’t before are kipping pull ups, toes to bar (kind of), hand stand pushups, double unders and rope climbs. Probably other stuff too but those are the ones I’ve dedicated time to learning and getting better at. Has CrossFit affected your life outside the gym? This seems like an obvious answer, yes! Looking at SugarWOD:), doing ROMWOD, increased confidence, talking to strangers about CrossFit when they ask me what I do for exercise, just to name a few things. But most of all the people I’ve met at CF913 have become quick and close friends. Whether it’s the shared suffering or that we’re like-minded people just ending up at this place together…the people are the best! Do you have any other special memories/ achievements during your time here?My first competition at Hidden Gym last year is a great memory. So many people from our gym were there competing and supporting each other. It was so much fun!What advice would you give to a newbie just joining CrossFit 913? Just show up. Do what you can. Take the coaches advice. Just keep showing up.Something you might not know about me is? I’m the reigning 2018 CF913 keg stand champion.

Continue reading

•   REXPERIENCE ALL

KS Athletic Club

HAS TO OFFER  

•   REXPERIENCE ALL

KS Athletic Club

HAS TO OFFER   •

  REXPERIENCE ALL

KS Athletic Club

HAS TO OFFER   •