December 2019 Athlete of the Month: Meet Bernadette Frias
We have so much love for our community, and want to take the chance to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work. This woman drives an hour to get to Terminus at 5am before heading to work at Grady! If you haven’t met Bern yet (or even if you have), make sure to say hello and fist bump him the next time you’re at the gym!
Q: How long have you been doing CrossFit? What changes have you seen in yourself (physically or mentally) since beginning CrossFit?
I started out back in 2015 when I lived in Michigan at Mardock CF (shoutout woot woot!!). When I moved to GA, I found Terminus because I mentioned needing to find a box ASAP at one of my orientation training classes at work. One of the trainers (Darius) told me he belonged to a box close by the hospital. I dropped by, met Emily, Atl’s Shawty, in the flesh! (not gonna lie, I was a little star struck!! lol). I signed up and suddenly I found myself working out with some of the fittest, finest people of Atl! It could definitely be intimidating but I soon realized that everyone just loves you for you and the effort you put into each workout, every day, no matter where you end up on the whiteboard. This is one of the biggest most important things I’ve learned since starting CrossFit. Not everything in life is a competition and to stop comparing myself to other people! It’s about the effort and your attitude! I still struggle with the thought of not measuring up with everyone in the class and my own physical abilities but I’m better at that now. I truly show up for the camaraderie, the friendships and the grueling workouts we endure together! Oh and our leisure walks, I always look forward to our leisure walks after class! (did that even answer the question?? lol)
Q: How has CrossFit helped you outside the gym?
CrossFit has taught me a lot about myself and how I interact with others. For instance with work, in some strange way, CrossFit has helped me set boundaries and limits on giving myself and my time. I do my best not to “live at work” (except lately because I just started a new job). I’m much better at delegating and speaking up for myself. All while being persistent and purposeful and producing quality work.
Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
There really isn’t one person at the gym that inspires me most, but I do know I’ve felt the absence of people when they don’t show up for a while or have to move to a different class time or a different gym all together. You get super attached to the people at your gym especially those at your regular class time!!! I LOVE the 5AM people forever and ever!, each and every one of them!! But seriously, everyone inspires me to be totally honest! Anyone who can get up and work out and put their heart and soul into it, inspires me!
Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
Everyone jokes about not having met or seen my boyfriend yet, but he does exist! I promise! I’m just super social and he isn’t. It’s that simple. We’re on complete opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to that. But he exists and he’s one of the best humans on earth!
Q: Any advice for someone considering trying CrossFit for the first time?
Just do it! You’ll never find another environment where you’ve felt the most support and encouragement in reaching your fitness goals! The lessons you learn in the gym give you tools be also be resilient and hard working outside of the gym. You can’t lose! Just do it!
Q: What are your top 3 memories in CrossFit?
All the snafus!!
Getting lost on the 1 miler, when I was still super new at old Terminus on Edgewood. I ran well over a mile! Coach had to come find me jogging somewhere on Highland.
Nearly driving off the cliff at the new Terminus location… I swear I thought it was just a really steep driveway! Until my front wheel fell off he curb and the front end was hanging off the cliff and ultimately required being pulled out by a winch. Thank you, Kit!
The 10K run for Marshall’s going away party. I was dead last but running that last 400m with some of my favourite people (Ellie and Katy) and everyone at Terminus cheering me on?? … tears! Yep, I cried!
Q: What’s your proudest accomplishment?
I’ll never forget last year, first workout after Christmas break. I thought everyone would be dying to get back to the gym after the holidays but to my surprise, as I drove up, early for the 0500, I only saw Coach Ben’s car. I kept thinking someone else is surely going to show up!! I did not want to be the sole target of Bentensity!!!! I drove 3 or 4 times around the block and realized no one else was showing up! I seriously considered driving all the way back home (about 45 mins away)! But I didn’t and thanks to Ben’s amazing ability to bring out the best and fiercest competitive side of anyone, it ended up being one of the best work outs yet! I felt very accomplished! Thanks, Ben!!
Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term CrossFit goals?
I’m going to continue to work on consistency. Even when I can’t get my butt to the gym, I’m going to keep moving and stay active!!