Hey Friends!

It’s that time! 🙂 We’re highlighting yet another amazing member of our community.  This month we’re pumped to feature someone who has been coming for over 2 and a half years, and has gotten stronger, faster and more explosive bit by bit through hard work and consistency.  We’re super pumped for Novembers athlete…

Ali!

Thank you, Ali, for always coming in AND leaving with a smiling face and great attitude – keep up the great work!  Here are her answers to our questions:

Name: Ali Stankiewicz

Age: 19

Occupation: Anthropology and Biology Student at Laurentian University

What was your exercise experience prior to CrossFit?

I’ve been a competitive figure skater all my life, so growing up it’s been a mixture of figure skating with soccer on the side during the summer months. Prior to CrossFit I’ve never stepped foot in a gym, so I was anxious to start but luckily I had my sister to encourage me.

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

I’ve been doing CrossFit for around two years now. I love the challenge it brings me, all my life I’ve had figure skating to push me and something to work towards, whether it was a new jump or improving my overall performance at competitions. Once I quit (competitive skating) I didn’t feel the need to push myself but with CrossFit, I’m consistently being challenged and given things to work/improve on. So I chose CrossFit because it gives me the motivation to keep going back.

What is your favorite part about CrossFit?

My favourite part about CrossFit is the openness and enthusiasm of the gym. Everybody is also so encouraging, and it’s always a fun time to come in and crush a WOD. I love the challenge and always having something to work towards.

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

Surviving my first few years of university… Haha, just kidding. I’m definitely most proud of all my travel/volunteer experience. I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer both with and without my family at an orphanage in Tanzania, a kindergarten in Peru, and my most recent adventure, at a remote biological station in the tropics of Costa Rica, participating in a long-term monitoring project on nesting sea turtles. Volunteering abroad is definitely something I enjoy doing, and if I’m lucky, I’ll be able to make a career out of it one day, somehow.

Favorite workout or lift?

I love WODs with barbell movements, cleans, snatches or squats. I try to avoid running or wall balls at all costs.

Anything else you would like to share please feel free     

Thank you to the gym for being such an awesome group to workout with and for whipping my butt into shape these past few years.