What made you choose CrossFit True?
My two best friends, Tracey and Mandy, were my inspiration. They’re both deeply committed to their health, and seeing their dedication motivated me to make a change. I was looking for a place where I could relieve stress, build strength, and feel welcome, and I found all of that at CrossFit True.
The coaches genuinely care about you and your progress. I also wanted something close to home with early morning classes, and when I read stories from other members on the CrossFit True website, I felt inspired right away. In the end, it was the community that drew me in.
How long have you been training with us?
I started in April of last year, so it’s been about 14 months. And I plan to keep training with this community for many years to come. 😊
What has been your proudest moment in the past 90 days?
Completing my first Murph, well, a half Murph, but it was still one of the hardest things I’ve done. It reminded me that I’m stronger than I think, both physically and mentally.
A fellow CrossFit True member, Guy, encouraged me to give it a try, and that’s one of the things that makes this community so special: people are always cheering you on and encouraging you to challenge yourself. When I finished, I looked around the room and felt incredibly grateful to be surrounded by people working hard and supporting one another. It was a powerful reminder of what our bodies and minds are capable of.
When you’re not at the gym, what do you do for work? What do you do for fun?
I lead a team of talented managers, analysts, and engineers who are passionate about building usable, accessible, and human-centered digital experiences for the Yale community. I’ve worked at Yale for 25 years, and while the work can be demanding, it’s also incredibly rewarding.
Outside of work and CrossFit True, you’ll usually find me with my family. I’m married and have two kids, ages 8 and 6, who keep me busy with hockey and dance. When I get the chance, I love golfing with my husband, cooking, and traveling anywhere and everywhere.
How is your nutrition? How has it changed since joining CrossFit True?
Nutrition has definitely been a journey. Since joining CrossFit True, I’ve become much more intentional about fueling my body, prioritizing protein, staying hydrated, and making sure I don’t skip meals, even when things get busy.
What are your 3 favorite movements/exercises?
Lunges (all variations of them), deadlifts (there’s something empowering about lifting heavy weight), and rowing (it’s meditative and gives you a great workout at the same time).
What is your favorite style workout? (AMRAP, EMOM, Rounds for Time, etc)
AMRAP, I love the pressure and the pacing. It forces you to stay consistent and keep moving, which is exactly what I need at 5:30am when my brain is still waking up.
What about your favorite workout?
Anything that involves legs. There’s something about a lower body workout that makes me feel powerful and strong.
Any favorite workout songs?
I really love anything with a good beat that keeps me moving. The playlists at CrossFit True are so good and always on point!
Have you changed physically or mentally since you’ve been working out with us?
Absolutely, both physically and mentally. Physically, I’m stronger and have more endurance, which definitely comes in handy when chasing after my kids.
Mentally, it’s been transformative. CrossFit is one of the few times each week when I’m completely present. No work stress, no multitasking, no one calling for “Mommy.” It’s become a form of therapy for me. The mental resilience I’ve built at CrossFit True has carried over into every part of my life in ways I never expected.
What are your current goals?
Personally, I want to live a healthier, more balanced life and be more present with my family. Fitness-wise, I’m working on improving my pull-up strength, mastering double-unders, and continuing to push myself to do things I once thought were impossible.
How have your goals changed since you joined?
When I started, my goal was simply to show up and make time for myself. As a working mom, that alone felt like a challenge. Now, my goals are much more performance-focused. I want to get stronger, improve my pull-ups, learn double-unders, and keep tackling things that scare me a little.
What has been the biggest surprise since joining CF True?
How much it has impacted my mental health. I expected to get stronger physically, but I didn’t expect it to change how I manage stress, approach challenges, and show up for myself every day.
What can you do now that you couldn’t do before joining?
I didn’t have much confidence with pull-ups or bar work. I’m still a work in progress, but things that once felt impossible are becoming easier.
I’m lifting heavier, sustaining higher-intensity workouts, and recovering faster. But the biggest change might be learning to ask for help. This community taught me that asking for modifications or support isn’t weakness, it’s smart training and part of long-term growth.
Say something else, Anything!
I can now voluntarily wake up at 4:45 a.m. to exercise, which honestly feels like the most impressive athletic achievement of all. AND I can walk into a workout, see something intimidating on the whiteboard, and think, “Well, this is going to hurt, but let’s do it anyway.”