March 2023 Athlete of the Month: Amanda Tuttle
We have so much appreciation for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work and commitment. Meet Amanda Tuttle! Amanda is a long time Terminus member (5+ years!), and this honor is well overdue. Amanda always shows up, works hard, encourages others, participates in all the events, invites others to coffee after class, and occasionally calls people on their shit when they need a little extra push. She is a core member of the community and exemplifies fitness as a lifestyle, not just a short term solution.
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? 

According to a text I got from Patrick in February, I’ve been at Terminus for 5 years.  Physically, I haven’t noticed any drastic changes.  My fitness level has ebbed and flowed for sure, but mentally – I think my time at Terminus has helped me be accountable and solidified the absolute need to exercise for my sanity and mental health.

Q: How has your journey at Terminus helped you outside the gym?

Socially, more than anything.  I didn’t know many people when I moved here, and since living in Atlanta, I’ve always had a remote job with significant travel which can make meeting friends difficult.  Of course, there’s always the added awkwardness of being an adult and trying to make new friends.  That’s fun.  Anyway, the point is, I’ve made life-long friends at Terminus and they’re the coolest.

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

SO MANY.  Honestly, anyone that walks through the doors (coaches included) because that means that they beat out all the excuses or reasons that could’ve prevented them from making a conscious decision to put themselves first for at least an hour that day.  Okay, maybe they were a little unconscious when they decided if they are a 5AM’er, but still.  You’re all amazing!!

Q: How would you describe what it’s like to be a part of Terminus?

It’s an intimidating environment to walk into initially despite your fitness level, but once you do, you realize it’s an incredible group of people that bring out the best in each other and everyone wants what’s best for you.   Also, the first time you hear Patrick say “pee-pee potty,” the intimidation factor will likely go down a notch or two.

Q: Tell us about your first day of class at Terminus.

Oh man. I have no clue what my first day was like.  I do know it was a week or two before the open, and I remember being very humbled in 18.1. It was a 20 min AMRAP that involved toes-to-bar.  I remember hanging and flailing from the bar trying to get the kip down.  I couldn’t, so ultimately I hung there and did strict toes-to-bar.  I’m pretty sure my hip flexors were so sore that I could barely walk for a week.  Ha, I guess not much has changed. :)

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

I really hate select-a-size paper towels.  Also, I played women’s handball for a season because I thought that was the only sport where I had a shot at becoming an Olympian. Turns out, the outcome is the same regardless of the sport.

Q: What are your top 3 memories or proudest moments in CrossFit?

There are so many memories, but I’d say getting my first bar muscle-up after class one day, and then getting a couple in the open that year.  Learning to do kipping and chest-to-bar pull-ups.  Doing a Halloween workout dressed as Posh Spice.  I still think we should’ve won best costume that year.

Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term goals in the gym?

I need to be better at doing accessory work outside of the workouts.  It’s something I used to do all the time and doing so improves my overall fitness significantly, but it’s easy to make excuses and opt out.  I’ve been working on my butterfly pull-ups. Very much a work in progress, but it’s something I want to get proficient at.

We have so much appreciation for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work and commitment. Meet John Alexis! John is a fixture in our 7PM night owls class. Unwilling to let his injuries control his life; John came to us at the behest of his wife after multiple knee surgeries. It has been beautiful to watch John break through his limitations, and build back his confidence & physical abilities. Let’s celebrate John’s growth, and perseverance by giving him a fist bump the next time you’re 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 joined Terminus in November 2020 and when I started my goal was just to be more healthy and active. I have had knee surgery on both knees a total of 5 times and have multiple other leg and shoulder injuries from years of competitive athletics so exercise beyond weight training has always been a challenge. In the past two years I have lost over 60lbs and feel better physically than I have in years. Although my knees and other injuries will always be a limitation I am moving much better and am doing things, athletically, that I have not been able to do in more than 25 years. Just walking and climbing stairs used to be a challenge but now I feel stronger, am in less pain and more confident in my own skin.

Q: How has your journey at Terminus helped you outside the gym?

For those who know me well, I am heavily introverted and tend to be very quiet and not really social. Since joining, one of my favorite things about Terminus is the community, over the past two years I have met so many people and established friendships that I probably never would have if I was working out at some place like Planet Fitness. All of this has helped me to be more confident socially both at the gym and in my personal & professional life which has been awesome.

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

Of course the coaches, all of you have inspired and pushed me to try things I never would have imagined I could do and encouraged me along the way. With that said, I cannot forget my 7pm (formerly 7:30pm) crew, you know who you are. I have and will stay committed to this class and it has been awesome to see everyone on their own journeys and achieving their goals. They motivate me everyday to be better, work harder and have fun and I am thankful for each of them. So thanks to my 7pm peeps for being you!

Q: How would you describe what it’s like to be a part of Terminus?

I really enjoy the community at Terminus, it feels like family and a place where you can be unapologetically yourself. The support and encouragement from everyone at Terminus is amazing no matter who it is. Whether it’s cheering each other on, encouraging you to go farther than you ever have, providing a tip or trick, doing something for the community or just having fun that’s what Terminus is about.

Q:  Tell us about your first day of class at Terminus.

Haha, I remember that day clearly. It was a cold November night, when I arrived we had to wait outside and checkin with the coach due to COVID. I was unsure and nervous but when I walked in I was greeted by Trent with a Hi you must be John, welcome to Terminus. This caught me by surprise but help me to relax a little. We started class and Trent repeatedly made sure I was good throughout the first class and was understanding the movements which I appreciated. I remember thinking to myself man I never thought I would need to be this coordinated to work out and what’s with the gymnastics. I left exhausted, sore and a bit frustrated that I couldn’t do some of the movements but that is what kept me coming back.

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

I am a proud Canadian, born and raised. I absolutely love cars and have been working on or rebuilding them since I was 12.

Q: What are your top 3 memories or proudest moments in CrossFit?

1) Getting healthy and losing 60lbs 2) Doing my first full squat with weight 3) Placing 3rd at the Turducken games with my teammate Brent Smith.

Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term goals in the gym?

In short, just being consistent. My life is extremely busy but as long as a get my 7pm time I am good to go and ready for anything.