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CrossFit Terminus
CrossFit Terminus
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Athlete of the Month

8
Oct

October AOTM: Allison Namie

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October 2020 AOTM: Allison Namie
We have so much love for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work. It has been truly amazing to watch Allison not only build her fitness, but most importantly gain confidence. Get to know Allison here, and make sure you say hello to her 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 at Terminus?
I started CrossFit last year, beginning of the summer. Before that, there was no gym. No workouts. Once in a while, I would get a wild idea to try something but nothing ever stuck until I jumped in the deep end at Terminus.
Physical changes – where to begin? I’ve gained weight but almost all my clothes are too big! I’ve slowly started to remedy that situation, but I hate shopping so there is that. The muscle tone that has developed is wonderful. A year ago, I wouldn’t ever wear shorts because I just didn’t like how I looked. I’d cringe at the idea of having to wear a swimsuit. But now, I’ve become so comfortable with myself none of that enters my mind. People seem genuinely surprised when I tell them I’m 40. Perhaps it’s that I’m so full of whimsy, but I suspect my time at Terminus has a large part to do with that!
The mental changes have been even bigger. Not only have I become more confident at the gym, but that confidence has translated to everything outside. Mentally, the gym has become necessary. Working out is one of the very few things that can completely check my overthinking brain. For that hour nothing else exists. There’s no room for it. Once I’m done with a WOD I’m calmer, collected, and have a level of clarity that otherwise I would have struggled to achieve.
Q: How has Terminus helped you outside the gym?
I’m far and away more positive than I used to be, which if you met me at the beginning of this little CrossFit adventure you’d know, was no small feat. With the confidence that I have gained my views of myself, and how I spend my time and energy have all shifted for the better. My relationships have improved across the board. I’ve let a lot of things go that hadn’t been working or that weren’t in my best interests. It seems I’m always actively looking to better myself now in many ways.
Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
Vickie Navarra – you! You are the reason I’m at Terminus. You gave me something I didn’t know I needed by encouraging me to try and to stick with it. You have been at this for far longer than I have and each time you come in with the wonderful attitude ready to rock it to the very best of your abilities. You are impressive my friend!
Robin Warnick and Jen Eastman – both of you ladies give me so much inspiration and helped me so much when I was just out of intro. You both always encourage me, push me, and you have always believed in me. Thank you.
I want to say that being at terminus has shifted my ideas of what beauty means for women. To all the ladies at Terminus, ALL OF YOU, I am in awe of you. Not only are you strong physically but in every aspect. You are all so capable, and the confidence that you all possess because of that is truly beautiful and inspiring.
Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
Fun fact – I’m half Syrian. I know, look at me. I promise it’s true!
Q: Any advice for someone considering trying CrossFit for the first time?
Just keep coming. Don’t give up. There is nowhere you are / will be that I haven’t been. I’ve thrown up, fallen off my rower, totally missed a pull-up bar when I jumped up for it, felt so completely defeated by things just not clicking that I’ve almost cried in the middle of the floor. Everyone expects it to be difficult physically but what I didn’t expect was just how difficult the mental portion would be. It takes a lot of courage to try something new, and to stay with it when it just sucks. Keep showing up. I promise you that you’re going to surprise yourself and keep surprising yourself. You’ve picked the very best, most encouraging community to help you accomplish it all. Also, and most importantly, be kind to yourself.
And when you’re done with intro, buy a pair of grips. If you buy nothing else, buy the grips.
Q: What are your top 3 memories at Terminus?
Sonya feeling so bad for me on one of my first workouts she told me not to worry about any time or distance on the rower but to just keep moving. I was so embarrassed, but she was so kind, so I kept moving. You guys, it was bad.
The first time Patrick told me an enthusiastic “Good Allison!”. I used to get a lot of head tilts and “better!” from Patrick. When that first “Good” came without a suggestion or correction to follow I almost dropped my bar. It was a great day!
Post quarantine, this summer when we did Annie. I managed to keep pace with Logan. Just maybe 3 seconds behind him – I was so proud. I felt great about that until I got home and realized the massive raspberry in a delicate place, I had created from doing so many sit-ups so quickly without the squishy mat. That took a while to heal!
Q: What’s your proudest accomplishment?
Honestly, that I’m still here. There were rough days. Lots of them. Getting over the mental and emotional hurdles was so much worse than the physical in many ways. The fact that I’ve been at it for over a year with no intention of stopping, that I’m coming even more than ever is huge for me. Also, this past week I finally got toes to bar. I was so surprised I completely stopped. But then I got up and tried again, did it again, and again!
Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long-term Fitness goals?
So many goals, but the main one is just to keep working on all the things and try and get a bit better each time! I think a lot of you all know I have some background with training dogs (agility mostly). My favorite instructor for that told me a long time ago that beginners always want to work on advanced handling, advanced handlers want to work on a master’s level, but the masters always work on basics. I try to apply that to CrossFit. I have a lot of little things that need ironed out, so just trying to work on checking those boxes as I move along.
That being said, I do want a muscle up, bad. And to handstand walk more than a few steps. I’m getting closer!!
3
Sep

September 2020 AOTM: Roger Parilla

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September 2020 AOTM: Roger Parilla
We have so much love for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work. Roger exemplifies one of the most important characteristics when it comes to finding success at Terminus. Through his ability to build friendships and mesh with the community, Roger has surrounded himself with a support system to keep him accountable and consistent. Get to know Roger here, and make sure you say hello to him 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 at Terminus?
I started doing CrossFit last year at the very end of Oct when I signed up for the Intro class at Terminus. It was awful, I threw up in the parking lot at the end of my very first class! Thank you Patrick!
I started coming Monday-Friday when I joined the normal classes the following month. Since then I have seen a lot of changes.  Physically, I’m down 40lbs since joining and have gotten much fitter. I literally could not finish the 250m route without walking on day 1 but just last week was able to complete Jerry (1mile run, 2k row, 1mile run). The biggest changes for me have been mentally though. When I first joined I wasn’t happy with my weight at all and my expectations for each WOD were always very low. I would come in and expect to fail most workouts and would. But the more I got in there and the more comfortable I got with the coaches and members the higher my expectations got. Now I feel great! I’m confident in my fitness, I’m confident in my body and I’m confident with myself.

Q: How has Terminus helped you outside the gym?
With the weight loss and new confidence I just move differently, physically and figuratively. When it’s time to get ready I’m not worried about what I’ll look like in what I choose to wear. Instead I can get dressed and think about what I’ll be getting into that day. Think about the fun to be had. I’ve been getting my family out of the house at least once a week for some physical activities now. That time spent with them outside together is much more enjoyable than sitting around all day in the house.
My favorite part is feeling more comfortable being the leader in my family. I’m happy, healthy, confident, disciplined and much more. Knowing that, that’s what I’m putting out for my wife and children to see makes me feel amazing.

Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
This question can go so many ways! I’m inspired by everyone at Terminus and I’m inspired daily by everyone in the 8am class, which is the class I attend on the regular. I will try to keep my list short although I could name each person from my class and how they inspire me. First I would like to state the obvious, and that is that Terminus is full of the most bad a** women I have ever met.
I’m thankful for Sara who made me feel welcomed on day one and has pushed me to finish workouts since I joined the 7am (now 8am) class. I have heard her voice many times encouraging me to finish every WOD. She is also always down to do the cool down with me! DEFINITELY an inspiration.
I’m also inspired by Wyatt and Ben Davidson, who peer pressure me into pushing heavier weight everyday! I still don’t know how those two are so fast. And I would also like to thank the 4 people who inspire us all, in no particular order, Emily, Sonya, Trent and PATRICKKKKK.

Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
Most people know I tattoo but most of them don’t know I also illustrate children books!

Q: Any advice for someone considering trying CrossFit for the first time?
Just give it your best try! It’s not easy but if you give it your best every time, you will get better!

Q: What are your top 3 memories at Terminus?
1) Patrick making me throw up on Day 1 and making me consider my life decisions.
2) Trent feeling bad for me being so far behind, he told me to just do 4 rounds instead of 5!
3) Me dying in the middle of a workout and Sonya yelling “It’s suppose to be uncomfortable!”

Q: What’s your proudest accomplishment?
For the first month, maybe even 2 months, I was doing every workout at level 1 and I still timed out on every WOD that had a time cap. My proudest accomplishment was finishing my first workout within the time limit.

Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term Fitness goals? 
BEAT CAM IN A RUN! 🤣🤣 LET’S GOOOOOOO

Thank you Ben and Emily for creating this space.
Thank you to the coaches for leading us and helping us.
Thank you to all the members for being amazing!

4
Aug

August 2020 AOTM: The Hoovers

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August 2020 AOTMs: The Hoovers!
We have so much love for our community, and enjoy highlighting athletes that exemplify hard work and perseverance.  It’s only fitting to highlight 2 of our founding members as Terminus celebrates its 7 year anniversary. From being the first people ready to greet new a face  to cheering on the last athlete to finish in a workout; this couple truly embodies the spirit of CrossFit!

From the Hoovers: OMG we are so honored! It has been one of our greatest joys over the past 7 years being members of CrossFit Terminus. Remembering the first days at Terminus 1.0 doing prowler pushes nearly every day to the absent Edgewood bridge over what would become the beltline to seeing the gym as it stands now is truly amazing. We are so thankful for the love and support from everyone at the gym along the journey to getting married, changing jobs, passing specialist boards exams- Terminus has been there through it all and we could not be happier.

Q: How long have you been doing CrossFit? What changes have you seen in yourself (physically or mentally) since beginning CrossFit?

Steve: I started doing Crossfit in 2010, before I met Ellie, when a former teammate invited me to try CrossFit.  My first workout was Cindy, I don’t remember the score but it hurt (in a good way) and I was hooked.  I participated in the first Crossfit open in 2011, new movements showed up and I had to learn new skills like double-unders and muscles ups.  Crossfit is always asking you to grow as an athlete, it is never easy, it pushes you to do more and be better.  The great thing about Terminus is if you can’t do it on your own, coach Ben Benson can provide you with the necessary motivation.

Ellie: I started doing CrossFit in 2011 when my stud boyfriend at the time convinced me to buy a Groupon to try it out with a girlfriend in PT school. My first workout included something with a ridiculous amount of lunges and my quads didn’t work right for over a week, hurting to go down AND up stairs, yet somehow I was hooked. I learned how to do olympic and power lifts that I never imagined I would complete (albeit it very light) and have been able to mentally push myself to a weird place to finish workouts. When I get to work in the morning, I already feel accomplished knowing that I have already taken the time to take care of msyelf and my health before I set forth to do that for my patients.

Q: How has CrossFit helped you outside the gym?

Steve: CrossFit has allowed me to rekindle the competitive drive that I missed playing college football.  Approaching 40, I am in better shape than I was in my 20s.  I can hang with the high school football team I coach in 7 on 7 and show them a thing or two in the weight room.  CrossFit allows me to stay active outside the gym.  I enjoy family hikes, backpacking, and camping with Ellie and our dog Stella.

Ellie: CrossFit has helped me become stronger and protect my body and patients working in the hospital as a physical therapist…it literally makes sure I can get my patients out of bed. It has also helped me to achieve the nickname “Fitness Ellie” in my rehab department which makes me chuckle because most of you reading this are stronger and faster than me 🙂

Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?

Steve: I am inspired to see people achieve their goals.  I love seeing people get their first; first pull-up, first muscle-up, , first completed WOD, first mile without walking or just walking in for their first class.  The first is always the hardest and worth celebrating.  Also the ladies of 5am!

Ellie: I am inspired by my ladies of 5AM and #5AMily, past and present. They show up daily, hold me accountable (even when I want an extra rest day), and prioritize fitness to start their day. They all push me to try my hardest, no matter how sleepy I am, to get the most out of my hour in the gym. I am also inspired by Jennifer Eastman who is my idol inside and out of the gym (love you, momma duck!) who always pushes me harder to try to keep up with her.

Q: What is something that we may not know about you?

Steve: I spent two college summers wearing a cowboy hat working on a buffalo ranch outside of Austin, Texas.  I am still haunted by the smell of a heard of buffalo in the 100 degree Texas heat.

Ellie: I was on the synchronized swimming club varsity team at the University of Michigan my freshman year

Q: Any advice for someone considering trying CrossFit for the first time?

Steve: Don’t be scared to ask for help, if there is one thing crossfitters like to talk about it is CrossFit.  Terminus has a great community of coaches and members that want you to be successful.

Ellie: What he said. Your coaches and classmates are going to support you and celebrate every victory on your journey in CrossFit!

Q: What are your top 3 memories in CrossFit?

Steve: Team Terminus winning the Atlantic Super Regional clinching our spot at the 2015 Crossfit Games and poppin’ bottles at the post regional celebration with another regional champion Emily Bridgers!  Big day of wins for Terminus!
Coaching Ellie through her first and second muscle up on 15.2 RX for a score of 2!
Friday Night Lights, the roar of the crowd cheering you on to get the next rep or hit the big weight.  There was nothing like a packed house at Terminus to push you to move faster and lift heavier.  I loved celebrating with friends and frosty “recovery” beverages knowing that we would do it all again next week.

Ellie: Cheering on my hot hubby at the CrossFit Games team competitions in 2013 and 2015 (as well as all the other competitions he “lets” me watch), getting my first/second/and only muscle ups on 15.2 with Steve and Emily’s help, and Friday Night Lights Open workouts at Terminus

Q: What’s your proudest accomplishment?

Steve: Easy #1 is finally being named athlete of the month after 7 years, even though I have to share it.  Feel free to leave Ellie’s name off the commemorative plaque.  Seriously though, the friends I have made along the way.  Shared suffering has a way of bringing people together and the training gauntlet that was Squat Mafia formed unbreakable bonds.  Thanks Ben!

Ellie: Making it to 5am class on time/EARLY every day since the gym reopened

Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term CrossFit goals?

Steve: No immediate goals for CrossFit, although, I have heard rumors the affiliate cup is coming back…

Ellie: It would be nice to get bar muscle ups back, however, I’m happy just making it to the gym 5-6 days a week at this point to make sure that I can stay my healthiest self.

1
Jul

July 2020 AOTM: Anthony Hutchens

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July 2020 AOTM: Anthony Hutchens
We have so much love for our community, and enjoy highlighting one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work. During the COVID closure, Anthony worked out every day in Grant Park. Since we’ve re-opened, he’s been back in class almost every day. We admire his consistency, and although he might be quiet at first, getting to know him has revealed a man of great character and a relentless pursuit of success. Get to know Anthony here, and make sure you say hello and fist bump him next time you’re at the gym!

1. How long have you been doing CrossFit? What changes have you seen in yourself (physically or mentally) since beginning at Terminus?

I’ve been doing CrossFit for the past 9 months. As a result, I’ve noticed that working out consistently helps to detox my mind and thoughts. I’ve also noticed that I am more patient and peaceful.

2. How has Terminus helped you outside the gym?

Terminus has helped me build more patience and tolerance. This is applicable in my fitness and personal life. I am slower to react to situations that would normally bother me.

3. Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?

Seeing the dedication of fellow CrossFit members and staff,  the work they put in, and all who have perfected trained movements in CrossFit inspires me. This keeps me motivated to not let injuries or fatigue cloud my mindset or discourage me from being able to perfect all trained movements and workouts. Being among the best encourages me to reach my maximum potential.

4.  What is something that we may not know about you?

Outside of my gym life, I’m a very involved community member, an influential person to the youth and adults in my community, and I am very active in multiple organizations in South Fulton and City of Atlanta as a mentor for youth and  helping incarcerated youth. One of my main goals is to leave a footprint in my community and to reach back and help those coming up.

5. Any advice for someone considering trying CrossFit for the first time?

If I were to give advice to someone trying CrossFit for the first time, I would tell them “Don’t give up! CrossFit is not easy but it’s worth it.”

6. What are your top 3 memories at Terminus?

There are many memorable moments at Terminus but there are three that immediately come to mind.On my first day during the intro class, I thought to myself, this program isn’t for me because it was too easy. I assumed that the program was for people with no exercise experience so I convinced myself that I wasn’t coming back and would request a full refund.

My next most memorable moment was when Patrick showed me the proper technique of doing a muscle up. This was my first time ever doing them and I attempted to do a few muscle ups and realized that it was not as “easy” as I initially thought. Once I confirmed that I was doing them correctly, I felt very accomplished.

Lastly, during a recent Saturday workout I was feeling extremely winded and fatigued. I felt like I was about to pass out and vomit. About halfway through the workout, I poured my water bottle on my head and face but forgot that I mixed a scoop of snow cone flavored BCAAs in my water. When I poured it on me it burned my eyes. As a result, I had to finish the rest of the workout with blurred vision and smelling like a carnival.

7. What’s your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest moment at Terminus was learning how to properly do a muscle up.

8. Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term Fitness goals?

My short-term fitness goal is to learn and perfect the snatch/ overhead squat. My long-term fitness goals are to stay consistent and relevant during competitive workouts.

1
May

May 2020: Meet Mark Emery

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May 2020 AOTM: Mark Emery
We have so much love for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work. After an aggressive lobbying campaign rivaling most special interest groups in Washington DC, we are proud to announce that Mark Emery has joined the ring of honor (Disclosure no money or favors have been exchanged in this decision). Get to know Mark here, and make sure you say hello and fist bump him once we get back from quarantine!

Q: How long have you been doing CrossFit? What changes have you seen in yourself (physically or mentally) since beginning CrossFit?

First of all, I can’t believe I am AOTM. I never guessed it would happen.

I have been doing Crossfit since before many people reading this were even conceived – 2011. I had done P90X in my garage for a year and thought I was ready. Turns out, I wasn’t. My first workout was Karen and I got whipped by a drunk 87 year old.

There aren’t enough words to extoll how Crossfit has changed my entire world. I am stronger, faster and leaner at 45 than 25, and that’s saying something, since at 25 I was already a 3x Olympic curling champion. Mentally, doing Crossfit with Ben Benson means I’ve already met my daily quota of suffering by 7AM. After that, the volume on the rest of life gets turned way down. I like that.

Q: How has CrossFit helped you outside the gym?

It’s my daily reminder that lasting value, happiness, fulfillment and growth flourish through suffering. The ability to suffer gracefully and with purpose is something I really admire in people.

Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?

Though I started CrossFit before we met, there’s no way I’d be where I am now without my wife, who inspires, cajoles and annoys me into consistency. Pound for pound, she’s the strongest person I’ve ever had sex with and she will always be my favorite WOD partner. That said, if it involves thrusters, I want a divorce.

There are many others. Trent’s kind heart. Ryan Oubre’s relentless positivity. Ellie Hoover’s man burps. I also admire the quiet grinders who seem to never miss class and do all the accessory work. People like Paulino, Sara Hardy and Katie Taylor.

Q: What is something that we may not know about you?

I love doing impersonations, mostly of people I know. Some of my favorites are Shock G (Digital Underground), Scooby Doo, Hank Hill, Paulino and Ben Benson. I am working on a David Eastman, which involves standing around a lot looking at equipment.

Q: Any advice for someone considering trying CrossFit for the first time?

Most of the fear is centered around what others think. So, here is what experienced CrossFitters think about noobs – you are inspiring AF. You have elected to have your ass handed to you by a stranger, in front of a group of strangers who are all exceedingly better than you are. When I see a brand new CrossFitter, all I see is badass.

Q: What are your top 3 memories in CrossFit?

1.    Getting on the board in my old gym for Diane. While it’s true someone had to die to make that happen, I’m pretty sure he’d be happy for me now.
2.    First muscle up.
3.    My first class at Terminus, taught by Marshall, when my barbell stopped moving vertically mid snatch and I was like “WTAF?” before sort of tumbling back to the bottom of my squat. I looked up and saw this crazy maniac behind me holding my barbell talking to me about grip width or some shit. I’d been a coach for years and in some gyms coaches are reluctant to actually coach other coaches, but this lunatic who I didn’t even know felt totally comfortable demolishing my snatch and I knew I’d found the right gym. Thanks Ben.

Q: What’s your proudest accomplishment?

TBD. Honestly I wake up every day feeling like I haven’t done shit, yet.

In the meantime, nothing really comes close to watching your children be courageous. Recently Scout had the choice between taking a medication for two weeks, or getting a shot. I watched her steel her nerves and tell the doctor she wanted the shot. I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder.

Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term CrossFit goals?

I’d love to be able to handstand walk.

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