Athlete of the Month

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.

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.

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.

 

February 2020 AOTM: Adrianna Baggetta
We have so much love for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work. Adrianna brings an infectious focus and intensity to every class she attends. Get to know Adrianna here, and make sure you say hello and fist bump 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 CrossFit?
I have been doing CrossFit for about fifteen months and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made! I think CrossFit has helped me in all areas of my physical and mental health and I continue to be excited about where it will continue to take me.

Q: How has CrossFit helped you outside the gym?
CrossFit has 100% helped me become a better coach. Not only working to understand more functional movements and individual physical limitations but to remember what it is like to put yourself in a vulnerable situation and what the fear of failure or comparison does to your mental state. I have learned to take a step back and maybe be a bit more empathetic. On the flip side, because of all the Terminus members accomplish, I am probably more demanding on my players in the physical arena and how far you can really go if you push yourself!

Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
Every single person that walks through the Terminus doors, coaches included, all inspire me. From the young ones who are working to compete on the national stage to brand new members of all backgrounds that are working to take care of themselves and looking for growth!
I do have to single out Mariam though- her will and drive are so genuine and always with a smile. She’s amazing.
Also watching Arielle and Pip continue to grind and be so open to growth is really special to watch! Oh yeah and Sonya just working, pounding the stone and determined!

Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
I was a softball player at the University of South Carolina. I am the head softball coach at Emory University and our team was Runner Up In the NCAA Div. III Championship’s this past season.

Q: Any advice for someone considering trying CrossFit for the first time?
The hardest step is the first one! Do your research on the places you may potentially become a member of, they aren’t all the same. Make sure you find one that is there for your best interest and wants you to do things the right way! No doubt in Atlanta that is Terminus!

Q: What are your top 3 memories in CrossFit?
Hmmmm…. this is tough! My first one was probably the embarrassment of the graduation line that used to take place.Hoy that almost made me not come back  second  probably is shortly after graduation there was a partner workout and I somehow got paired with Emily, very high anxiety moment for me.  I believe there was a lot of rowing, burpees and maybe air squats, I don’t think to this day I have rowed as fast as I did that day! Maybe it was the Games Athlete title that gave me anxiety and the possibility of her getting a terrible time because of me out but Emily was as helpful and supportive as a partner as she is a coach.  I was so fortunate to get that opportunity.  As for my third I’m not sure I can come up with just one because every time someone completes something they didn’t think they could or does better than they expected is a memory for me.

Q: What’s your proudest accomplishment?
This is a difficult question is this in life or CrossFit? CrossFit I’m not sure I have hit that yet, I’m pretty average and I have so much to improve upon. In life watching the young women I get the opportunity to coach succeed on the field and in the classroom and continuing to be great humans and succeed! Most recently the experience for the young women to play for a National Championship watching them believe in themselves and be their best for each other in such a short period of time was really special.

Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term CrossFit goals?
My mission in life is to keep a growth mindset, never be content, to get stronger, fitter and better! Improve my lifting techniques, my endurance, jump rope, my mobility, gymnastics and continue to grow mentally with being uncomfortable and build more relationships within the Terminus community! Good is not good enough!