Hey Folks!

Soooo, this month we recognize someone who I’m sure you All have been thinking has been in the running for this award for a long time.  Someone who had we been offering this award since day one back on Queens athletic field would have been in the running.  This person is always working on her virtuosity – doing the common, uncommonly well – as well as encouraging and inspiring others in the gym.  Her upbeat attitude and consistent presence at CrossFit Sudbury makes her someone the gym would most definitely not be the same without.  This months, “CrossFitter of the Month” is…

Mandie!

Here are her answers to some of our questions!

Name:   Mandie Duguay

Age:  23

Occupation:  Laurentian University Student

What was your exercise experience prior to crossfit?

Sports were a major part of my childhood.  I played a wide range of them from the age of 3 up until the age of 15.  Since then, I worked out here and there at globo gyms with a very big lack of commitment, until I found crossfit.

How long have you been doing crossfit and why do you choose to crossfit?  

I’ve been doing crossfit since October 2011, where I started my first OnRamp class with my mother Monique.  The class was actually held outside at Queen’s Athletic Field.  It’s so nice to see how the gym has evolved since then.

Why do I choose do crossfit?

I can go on and on about this, to the point that you’d think Adam was paying me for advertising.  But, here are the major factors that make me choose to crossfit:

• It’s so much FUN!  Who can say they have fun while working out?
• It’s challenging and it’s the challenge that makes it fun.  I still haven’t perfected any of the movements or lifts and to be honest, I don’t think I ever will.  It wouldn’t be as much fun if it were too easy to accomplish.  Crossfit allows me to constantly set new goals for myself.  There will ALWAYS be room for improvement and I love that!
• It’s constantly varied and I therefore never get bored.
• It gives me something to look forward to when I wake up in the morning.  It just brings a joy that I have never experienced before from working out.
• It allows me to be a happier/better version of myself in and outside of the gym.  Who wouldn’t want that right?
• It allows me to stay focused on my goal of wanting to achieve optimal wellness, by eating clean and staying active and by just being more aware of my body and mind.  It somehow makes it a lot easier, it goes hand in hand.
• Last and most importantly, crossfit has a lot of power to change the way you look, feel and perform as Adam would say, but what is even more powerful to me, is that it not only has an effect on us from a physical stand point but a mental one as well.  Crossfit allowed me to get through a very difficult time in my life (due to health issues) and I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t found crossfit at that time.  It gave me something to look forward to.  It helped me fight when I didn’t think I could anymore.  It was my back bone.  Now that I am one healthy human being again :), I find myself benefiting from crossfit even more.  It allows me to focus in school AND when all fails, I know I can go to crossfit and walk out of there with a huge smile on my face or with a feeling of satisfaction, with no worries in the world.  Seems a big extreme, but it works every time!  I know others secretly feel the same.

What is your favorite part about crossfit?

I know this comes up a lot, but it’s the camaraderie that comes along with crossfit, especially here at Crossfit Sudbury.  I know that someone will always be there to push me to my limits, I have someone to embrace the pain with and I know that there will always be someone there to cheer me on whether I’m first or last.  OH and I know I will always have someone to happily complain with after the WOD.  I have made some very good friendships here at Crossfit Sudbury and loving every minute of it.  I feel very fortunate to be a part of this community.  I’m able to fit in with all age groups…pretty cool no?

What are the accomplishments you are proud of? (Crossfit or non crossfit related)

My goal was to someday get Andre to drink the Crossfit Coolaid and I accomplished that goal 5 months ago.  I wanted him to benefit from crossfit like I and so many others do.  I have a real passion for crossfit which means I never shut up about it and to someone who doesn’t crossfit, I can imagine how it can get on their nerves more often than not. BUT NOW, Andre is just as bad as me and I’m happy with that outcome because crossfit has developed an even greater bond between the two of us. 🙂

But for more of a serious accomplishment, the fact that I didn’t give up when times were hard (due to health issues again) and pushed through school even though it didn’t seem possible at the time, to then graduate from Laurentian University this year, is something I am pretty proud of.  This may sound exaggerated, but to be completely honest, if it weren’t for crossfit and my family, I don’t think I would be where I’m at today.

Favorite workout or lift?

My favorite lift is the famous SNATCH.  It will most often than not drive me to come in to the gym on a pre-planned rest day.

Anything else you would like to share?

Don’t ever leave Sudbury!

Thanks again Mandie for adding so much to the CrossFit Sudbury family! 🙂