CrossFit TNT

Athlete of the Month- Jill Krape

Thanks to everyone responsible for making me athlete of the month. I knew the minute I walked into TNT that I was going to become a member. No sales pitch necessary on this girl. The first time I did a WOD was while I was on vacation in San Diego with a friend who was already a member of the crossfit cult. I loved it! Oddly enough, while on the plane back to St. Louis I sat next to a girl who was clearly in really good shape. She told me she was from Iceland and was in town training with an olympic lifting coach for the Crossfit games. At the time I didn’t really know what those were. I told her that I had just tried out crossfit and she encouraged me to keep it up. If I knew then what I know now I would have got a picture and an autograph. Her name was Annie Thorisdottir and she won the crossfit games 2011 and took 2^nd in 2010. When I got back to St. Louis I googled the nearest crossfit and now here I am 9 months later! I also talked my best friend into signing up for crossfit in her town. I googled hers too. I wanted to make sure I had someone to talk about crossfit with. She is still loving it as much as I am.

I don’t have an extensive athletic background. I grew up on roller skates and started racing when I was 8 years old. When I was 10, I started in a roller hockey league and did that for the next 6 years. I injured my ankle when I was 16,had surgery and never skated aggressively again. That was the last sport I was passionate about until now.

When I first started crossfit I thought it would be a fun way to get in shape. Within a few months it was about running a mile in under 8 minutes, doing a pull-up, or putting RX next to my name on the board. The “getting in shape” part just goes along with all of my smaller goals. I also realized that being a part of TNT is like being a part of a family. I have met a lot of really great people that I look forward to seeing when I come in to workout. I spend just as much time sitting around socializing after the WOD as I do working out.

I got to participate in my first competition in October and I had a blast! I was somehow able to earn a place on the podium. I could barely move for a couple of days after that but it was totally worth it. It was so much fun just being a part of the TNT team. I am excited for the new year and cant wait to mark a few more things off my list of goals. I think im going to work on getting ring dips this month.

Athlete of the Month - John Donjoian!

 

Thanks TNT coaches and staff for choosing me as athlete of the month for December.  Great timing, as December marks my one-year anniversary as a member of TNT.

 

Prior to Crossfit, I have been weight training on and off (mostly on) for 26 years (since my freshman year of college).  I've also been a dedicated bicycle rider/racer since about that time. I've competed in nearly every type of bicycle race possible, road racing, mountain bike, cyclocross, and BMX.  But with Crossfit, I was blown away by the "ready for anything" philosophy and the intensity of the WODs, it felt like the perfect compliment to any sport. 

 

I've become a much more capable athlete over the last year.  My core-strength, flexibility, accuracy and balance have all improved dramatically.  This summer I began to try the Paleo diet and I've seen another big jump in my performance and a 3+ percent drop in body fat.  This year, I was able to win the Central Division Redline Cup Championship and the Missouri State Championship in BMX racing and I give Crossfit big credit for this, my starting gate and first straightaway performance gives me an advantage that makes a huge difference.

 

I chose TNT due to the proximity to my office, but in the year since I've become aware of just how good a choice I unknowingly made.  Since I travel often for business, I'm always taking the opportunity to train at other Crossfit boxes around the country.  I've been to Vermont, Colorado, Florida, Chicago, and several in California during my business trips.  During that time I've really grown to appreciate the format and the coaching offered at TNT.  I can honestly say that TNT is by far the most complete experience in terms of programming, coaching/instruction, and the 'family' atmosphere.

 

Everyone that knows me outside of TNT knows how much I love Crossfit.  I've really found something that will stay with me for a long time to come, just like bicycling, I look forward to celebrating my 20th anniversary as a Crossfitter!

Athlete of the Month- Marsha Palmatier

 

I have to say how surprised I was when I came into the gym for class and Sarah informed me that I had been chosen as Athlete of the Month.  I never dreamed that I could aspire to such a title and I am so very honored! 

CrossFit TNT has inspired  me more than any exercise facility I have ever been a part of.  I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 17 years ago at the age of 40.   It is a condition that causes muscle pain and fatigue.  My doctor had prescribed anti-depressants and pain meds for the pain.   Being my stubborn and determined nature, I refused to succumb to these artificial remedies.   He also recommended  only swimming and walking for exercise.  These past years  I have been dabbling in short periods of exercise, memberships in gyms where I was never really committed.  I needed structure and  direction from a gym that would push me to my limits.  This is what I really love about CrossFit.  It has enabled me to realize that I am capable of doing  things I never thought imaginable…..a true realization that the human body can do things above and beyond our own expectations and weaknesses.



I can’t say enough about the coaching staff at CrossFit.   Their direction and encouragement make  you want to strive to do your best.  I have to admit that I still get slightly nervous to do the WODS, but with the coaching and the support from fellow members, I feel an amazing sense of accomplishment!    

I have been happily married for 35 years.  I have 2 married children (31 year old son and 27 year old daughter), and a grandmother of a 2 year old.  I am a full time dental hygienist and CrossFitter!!!

Athlete of the Month- Britt Gott

I am both excited and humbled to be the athlete of the month.  Thank you to all the coaches at TNT for this honor!  I’m so proud to be part of TNT, and that grows during every competition and time that I visit another box.  Crossfit has become such a part of me, but it is fulfilling because of the family that TNT offers.

I started Crossfit to become a better Ultimate Frisbee player, and heard about it through an old coach that opened up his affiliate in Portland, OR.  I played competitive Ultimate for 10 years (in 2 College National Tournaments, 2 Club National Tournaments, and 2 World Tournaments—though the latter was more a testament of my charm to get on a team) but have always been active since running races with my Dad when I was 4 years old.  I saw definite benefits while doing Crossfit on my own in a neighborhood gym, but I wanted to do more.  My husband Andy bought me one-on-one sessions with Rochelle for our anniversary (he knew the perfect gift!) and that was the beginning of the end for my Ultimate career.  I was improving so much by putting in deliberate practice with Crossfit (and it was fun!) that I wanted to do it all the time, and after meeting the rest of the members and seeing the support network at TNT, I finished the season of playing on the field and haven’t looked back. 

It is important to me that TNT is so active in local competitions.  I knew you could compete in Crossfit (Crystal McReynolds was my first CF girl crush) and after seeing the Sectionals at TNT by chance, I knew that I could fuel my competitive drive while giving me a reason to train hard.  I have since learned how fun it is to compete as a team!  The Extreme Games and the Fairfield Throwdown are my favorites so far.  You push yourself and trust others to push you further than you thought you could go and come out having battled with friends and been made better-- that’s a memorable bond.

 
I love Crossfit because there are always things you suck at, so many things to work on, always a challenge lying ahead, always someone better than you.  But at the same time, you can think about where you were last year or even 2 months ago and that gives you a real sense of accomplishment.   It is so rewarding; I can see my improvement in gymnastic work and weight lifting by real numbers and ease of movement.  I could barely do one power clean at 95lbs one year ago and I just did a Tabata with that weight last weekend!  It also is a testament to hard work paying off, which is also why I love competitions- it’s the “cashing in” of the check of hard work you and your trainers put into the bank over the past weeks, months, years. 

Crossfit is more than my internet obsession of watching Firebreather workouts during my lunch break; it makes goals attainable.  It gives me more confidence with how I handle life out of the gym; how I carry myself and belief in that I can go beyond my self-imposed limitations.  Breathe deep and keep your head up.  I also love the way I feel, a strong woman who is beginning to feel like Popeye in my clothes, muscles in places where I was just scrawny before!

The community of Crossfit is so unique and uplifting that I know I’m going to be around for years to come.  Grandmothers, Firebreathers, hot mama’s, high schoolers, and kids Crossfit!   Every workout in group at TNT is so inspiring to me, and I love the real connections I have with members at TNT.  Even on my most exhausting days I look forward to going to WOD because I’m always in a better mood when I leave. 

There is so much more I can say but I can’t keep your attention that long.  Thank you SO much to all of the trainers, past and present, that have made TNT what it is, believed in us as members and used their passion to challenge us to be better every day.

PS: Favorite WOD: Chippers;  Least favorite: KAREN!

Athlete of the Month - Jake Hicks

 

 

Thank you for making me athlete of the month. CrossFit is just amazing for me and has changed me so much. I first started out in March when my friend Devin asked me to try it out. My dad ended up trying it with me, and we both loved it. We get up three times a week for the 6:00 a.m. class. After the class we have to hurry home then rush to school. We barely make it to school on time where I am in my first year of high school .

After a couple of months of classes I could already notice a difference in my energy level, my flexibility, and my strength. Also, I could tell I was getting more fit because my score was way better on the fitness test at school. Then when summer came, I lost both my Crossfitting buddies which were Devin who was gone a lot and my dad was at work. I still pushed myself and wanted to do more.  I tried to go every day and then asked if I could join team training….which I did (my first competition is this month).   Over the summer, CrossFit was my worry free place. I went there whenever I was bored, had a spike of energy or just wanted to get something off my mind.

    

The trainers there at CrossFit TNT are awesome. Rochelle, Paul, Sarah and Brenna are great at motivating and encouraging you to try hard and to keep going. All the CrossFit members are the same and always are there to help you; Jeff, Jeremy, Schu, Billy, my Dad and all the others. All the CrossFit members, coaches and the gym itself is an inspiration to me.

    

Athlete of the Month- Rochelle Thayer

When Jeff and Sarah told me that I was going to be athlete of the month (AOM), I really thought it was a joke.  Once I was convinced by the other coaches that I was well deserving of this honor, sheer excitement and accomplishment came over me.  I now understand how each one of you feel when this honor was bestowed onto you. 

  

I have been CrossFitting for a little over 3 years now. I can't even begin to explain how CF has changed my life. I can't have a conversation without bringing up the word CrossFit.  My heart is in CF so much that I opened up my own box to give all of you the opportunity to reach your goals. I was a competitive gymnast for 9 years. Now 34 yrs old, I am able to find what I had when I was young again; that drive, competitiveness, goals that seem so hard to reach and most importantly a great team to be on. I want to be at the 2012 CF Games competing and I am willing to work as hard as I can to get there.

 


As most of you know Strong was born on March 6th and I didn't start working out again until about 9 weeks later, due to having a C section. I was released by the doctor at about the 7th week with instruction to take it slow.  So right out of the gate I decided to walk on my hands for 75 feet. Little did I know that I had torn my stitches and had to take 2 more weeks off.  Another set back to my training.  I did not get discouraged, but took the time to rest and heal up.

Strangers say that I look like I didn't even have a baby when they see me holding my five month old Son. Just because I own CFTNT doesn't mean that I have it easy when it comes to working out.  I am just like everyone else trying to balance work, life, and family.  I work approximately 50 plus hours a week, then I have to find time to plan my meals and workouts, take care of Strong and my husband. The only benefit that I have, is I get to wear my Lululelmon clothes all day instead of business casual clothes with heels, make up and jewelery (Even though my husband would love to see me in those type of clothes as well.)

I would not be where I am today if it weren't for all of the members here at TNT. I need you in order to be pushed more and I hope that I can do the same for you. I can't imagine doing a WOD without hearing my TNT members cheering me on to do just one more rep, run a little faster, or to make that bar my B*!@H! That is what makes me a better athlete and has me coming in for more. TNT leaves no teammate behind. When someone is done with a WOD first, they don't just walk out, instead they know what we are going through and give us the encouragement that we need to finish.

I want to be a role model for my son and for him to tell the kids at school that his mommy can do more pull ups than their daddy can.

I love my family (Jeff and Strong), my job (all of my CrossFitters), my friends and the fact that CF will allow me to enjoy all this for a very long time.

 

Athlete of the month- Jenny David

Being chosen Crossfit TNT's Athlete of the Month for July is so exciting! For those of you that thought I was deserving enough for this, I thank you! (And for those of you who knew how much fun it would be for me to rub this into Bill's face on a daily basis, I REALLY THANK YOU!)

          Crossfit, and more importantly the members of TNT, have changed my life in the best way possible. Just 7 months ago I honestly had no idea what Crossfit was. Aside from days that I felt "fat" working out had never occurred to me. Tagging along with Bill, my boyfriend, to try out a free Foundations class was really just something to do. I would never have guessed that this would be something I'd end up loving!

          I started with the free week of Foundations. Bill was already on board, drinking the Kool-Aid so to speak, and I didn't want to be left behind, (There was no way in hell that I was going to allow him to get into tip top shape without me!) so I joined. I remember meeting with Rochelle to go over goals, nutrition, and to do measurements. She asked what had brought me to TNT, my reply was "my boyfriend." She asked if I had any goals, my reply was "not really, maybe to tone up?" She asked what I ate on a daily basis and if I would be interested in the nutrition classes, my reply was "I live on soda, eat a ton of crap, and no." She asked if I wanted to weigh myself and keep track of my measurements, my reply to that was another "no." And then she asked if I was a smoker because the only thing she could smell was cigarettes, my reply to that was "yes." Lord only knows what she thought (or said) about me after that meeting?!?!!

          Within the first couple of months my feelings and attitude on Crossfit began to change. (And when I say change I mean that I went from zero to psycho!) I began to see it as a Sport as opposed to just "working out." Going from not caring at all about the times and scores written down on the boards, to bee lining to them first thing to see how everyone else has done, and how hard I should push myself to try and do better! My initial feelings of not wanting to lift heavy weights in fear of looking like a body builder, to getting  excited to PR even if its just by 5 lbs! Realizing that smoking and all of the crap that I eat was in no way going to cut it if I wanted to not only see improvement, but to get through any of the WODs in one piece! Getting to know and really like the other members of TNT. Seeing them as friends and not just "people I work out with."

          There are so many things about Crossfit that I love, and so many things that still scare me! But as time goes by and I can see my improvements, some of those things don't seem quite so scary! I love everything that involves the pull up bar. As awful as TTB or KTE can be, they've never intimidated me. (I blame it on my inner gymnast. I'm still hoping that one of these days the skill will be backhip circles or glide kips? Something completely unrelated to Crossfit!?!) Since day one I've never been a fan of any of the weightlifting skills, referring to the bar as my kryptonite. But as time goes by, my hatred for it seems to die more and more! The majority of WOD's leave me laying on the floor, gasping for breath when I'm done. It sucks at the time, but a half an hour later I'm able to say that those are the WOD's that I like the best! The ones that really kick my ass! My favorite so far has been doing the Hero Wod Murph on Memorial Day. It took forever but having done it almost RX'd (I did it all MINUS the 20lb vest.... Isn't that right Paul?!) felt amazing!!

          So again, thanks for choosing me!! I love Crossfit, but even more, love Crossfit TNT!! And Rochelle, in regards to our meeting months and months ago, I'd like a redo on one of my answers. As far as goals go, I want to become stronger,  faster, healthier ,and a 100% certifiable Chingón!!!!

              

Athlete of the month- Double The Trouble

Wyatt's Story

 

Thank you for choosing me to be the athlete of the month. CrossFit has introduced me to a whole new world of working out. I’ve met a lot of new friends and I thank everyone for that.

         I started TNT in May of 2010 when Zach Bine brought me to a rehab Saturday. I did the WOD and it was the hardest work out I’ve ever done. I didn’t think I would ever go back. But I signed up that day anyway, and the first class I went to was the most fun I had ever had working out. After that I was hooked! As I started getting to know more people it made me like CF that much more.

         CrossFit has helped me so much in everything I do. It made a huge difference in sports especially football. I used to hate to run and I would always get so out of breath but now it’s not that big of a deal to me. It made football so much easier for me because it was the first time I’ve actually been in good enough condition to play.

Another thing that is awesome about CrossFit is the support that you get when you work out and that all the staff knows what their doing and can always help you. Everyone is always pushing you in a way that makes you want to come back and get better. I would highly recommend CF to anyone who wants to get in shape.    

          It’s also nice that Zach works out here too so we can push each other as friends even though I smoke him in every WOD!!

          Thanks to Jeff, Rochelle and staff for working with me and making me a better athlete, and choosing me for athlete of the month.

Thanks again Wyatt   

Zach's Story

 

Crossfit has worked wonders for me. Last spring I was in need of a fresh start. I was the heaviest I had ever been and I had lost motivation to work out in a traditional gym setting. I was becoming complacent with the fact I wasn’t going to get stronger, faster, or healthier. That was until I took a step back, looked at my situation, and decided I needed a change. My change was signing up for Crossfit. I came into the gym and I knew the warehouse atmosphere was just the change of pace I needed. I was completely sold when we did a warm up that had me sweating just as much as I would during a football practice.

The atmosphere got me hooked on Crossfit but the people at TNT keep me around. I love being able to come in and be surrounded by people you know. We can all strive to improve ourselves together. The people at TNT are the reason I have been able to strengthen myself mentally and physically.

The one thing Crossfit has taught me is that you can always go further than you thought, you just have to push yourself and have nice support system. I know that I am far from an elite athlete but I am in the best shape of my life because I’m a Crossfit athlete.  I have strengthened my mind and body with the help of Crossfit and my TNT family. I want to thank Jeff and Rochelle for keeping me on my toes and helping me with anything I need.  And finally I just want to say it’s a privilege to be named athlete of the month, especially considering all the great Crossfitters we have at TNT. I’m really grateful (even though I have to share the honor with Wyatt!)

 LOVE,

ZACH BINE

 

 

Athlete of the month- Rebecca Roth

Well first of all, thanks so much for choosing me as athlete of the month, it’s both a surprise and an honor!

Though it feels like much longer, March is my 6 month anniversary as a member at TNT, it’s amazing to see how far I’ve come in just a short time. I was a dancer through my teens, and then when I went to college I fell into the “chronic cardio” mindset. After college at 20 years old I felt pretty physically miserable, the worst I had in my life, as a result of hours of cardio each day and poor diet. I decided that I needed to focus on dealing with the mental and emotional issues I had with these things… and in the process proceeded to gain 100 lbs over the next 6 years, making me feel more limited than ever.

A friend first started preaching CrossFit to me in early 2009, watched parts of the Games and was blown away by the athletic feats that these people were performing. Even so, my friend and these athletes were already fit before getting even fitter using the CrossFit method, it just seemed too far out of reach for me. After a year of interest, reading, and following various athletes/affiliates online, watching the 2010 Games finally gave me the kick in the pants to say, “I NEED to do this.” Shortly, after the Games I started to take action, I began looking at checkout out local affiliates; I went strict paleo with my diet; and I tried my first CrossFit wod at home, a very scaled version of Barbara that took me over 40 minutes, but left me wanting to do it again, better!

After carefully weighing my options, each affiliate was unique but TNT was definitely the gym for me, so I met with Sarah and came in for my first day of Foundations. That first month was admittedly rough, often it was all I could do to get myself past the soreness and out the door in the morning for each class, but every time I would make it to the gym and that would all fade away with the wod.

 Since being a member of TNT, I’ve found such a great community of athletes; everyone is so supportive and encouraging at every level. I see people do amazing things at our gym every day, TNT members and trainers are elite without being elitist, I am never limited or excluded by my capabilities. No matter what is going on I can count on being able to participate, at the same time be challenged to push myself beyond my own expectations.

So far I’m crushing most of my goals and getting better at gauging what is attainable, but now I know it’s more a question of how long something might take rather than if I am or am not capable of doing it, because given hard work and training I know I can reach any goal. I’ve added 15-20lbs to nearly every lift just since the start of the year, seen vast improvements in my wod times, and am feeling stronger & healthier every day.  I can’t wait to see what I’ll be achieving in the next 6 months (and beyond) with you all!

Most Favorite WOD: Probably Fight Gone Bad in terms of benchmarks, but I have to say the most fun wod we’ve done since I joined was the 2011 NYE wod

Least Favorite WOD: Always whatever is coming tomorrow!

- Rebecca Roth

Athlete of the month- George Wexler

Crossfit is like a family because everyone pushes each other to do their best.  Crossfit works for me because each day the warm up, skill and WOD  are different which adds excitement to my workout.

Doing Crossfit has really helped me build endurance while I run.  Since working out at Crossfit, I have improved my marathon running time by 10 minutes.  My energy level has increased too.  My friends and family can’t believe the changes in my physical appearance.   When they see the pictures on facebook of me working out at Crossfit, they forget that I was over 200 pounds two years ago. Now I am around 185. 

I think my favorite WOD was the one we did called " In Between" 40 Thrusters, 40 ring rows and 40 snatches. But you have to start with 4 burpees, and then every minute on the minute, you must stop and do 4 burpees.  At first I did not think I was going to make it but I did not let that stop me. I was so beat the next day but I felt so good.

With the Air Force,  I am still waiting on approval.  If I get the approval I want to try out for Special Forces.