July 2023 Athlete of the Month: Sierra Lavin
We have so much appreciation for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work and commitment. Meet Sierra Lavin! Sierra has been a member since 2019. With a contagiously positive attitude, Sierra sets the the vibe in our afternoon classes. Let’s dive into her journey at Terminus a little further, and give her a high five next time you see her at the gym!
Q: How long have you been going to Terminus? What changes have you seen in yourself (physically or mentally) since joining?
I started at Terminus in the summer of 2019, when I was in Atlanta for an internship. I left to finish grad school. When I came back to Atlanta in 2021, one of my first stops was back at Terminus!
It is truly amazing to look back at how far I’ve come. When I started CrossFit, I had never even touched a barbell before. While physically I am so much stronger, I know my mental health has improved a ton. Terminus is my escape from everyday stressors and I get to spend time with some incredible people.
Q: How has your journey at Terminus helped you outside the gym?
Life can get pretty crazy, but Terminus is my consistent homebase in the chaos. I feel much more balanced when I show up to classes throughout the week. Also I am lucky my husband loves Terminus as much as I do, so we get to spend that time together getting fit!
Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
I am inspired by all the strong ladies I get to workout with – members and coaches alike! They encourage me and push me to be my best self. Shout out to the 5pmers, I couldn’t do it without you all.
Q: How would you describe what it’s like to be a part of Terminus?
It is easy to feel at home while at Terminus. It is so much fun to be around such a diverse group of people, where we all can bond over our crazy love of fitness. It is the highlight of my day to walk in and be greeted by all these wonderful people I am lucky to call my friends.
Q: Tell us about your first day of class at Terminus.
I was terrified! I had no idea what to expect, but I knew I was going way out of my comfort zone. While it was definitely a huge challenge, I was at ease with the amazing coaches and people who helped me every step of the way.
Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
People may not know that I am an identical twin! My sister is my best friend, even though she doesn’t do CrossFit
Q: What are your top 3 memories or proudest moments in CrossFit?
I have a very special place for CrossFit in my heart, because it is how I met my husband! We met in a CrossFit gym while we were both living in New York, and I love that we still enjoy the gym together.
Some of my proudest moments were conquering movements I never thought I would be able to do – double unders, handstand push ups, pull-ups! It was so satisfying to see the direct effect of being persistent and not giving up.
Lastly, I really loved the moments when I was nervous to do a heavy lift and didn’t think I could do it. But after getting some much needed encouragement from coaches, I could accomplish my goal! Such an incredible feeling.
Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term goals in the gym?
In the short term, I want to keep being consistent and work on those newer skills so I can add them into my workouts. Long term, I really want to accomplish some things that seem impossible right now – muscle ups, really heavy lifts. I know with time I will get there.