Meet our athletes!
Athlete’s Name:
Chrystal Ladouceur
Joined Peninsula CrossFit in:
June 2015. I quickly had to take a long break due to a (non-CrossFit related) injury, from August 2015 to October or so. Went back to part time training one-on-one with one leg in a cast, where CrossFit helped me to recover and learn the modifications I needed to work with my new ankle hardware.
Favourite WOD or Movement:
Wall Balls or any WOD that has them (because I actually hate them and need to get better at them)
Proudest accomplishment:
My 1st ever pull-up. It probably took more than a year, and a whole lot of forced upper body work because my lower body was recovering from injury, but it was SO worth it. CrossFitters, whether kipping or not, tend to make pull-ups look easy. Pull ups are hard for most women and a lot of men. It was a real challenge to do.
Advice for someone just starting CrossFit:
Eeeeek! I always get so excited when I hear people are just starting CrossFit. I have so many questions, like why they started? What they love and hate so far? How many times they’ve felt ill after a WOD – because yes, that’s bound to happen at least a few times in the beginning!
I don’t know so much that I have any advice for people just starting out, except maybe to remind them that ego is their worst enemy in a CrossFit gym. If you come in thinking you’re the shit, CrossFit will show you otherwise and you may end up hurting yourself. Everything can be scaled, and there’s no shame in scaling what your body is not yet prepared to do – and every day is different. Just because yesterday you could deadlift an amazing 205lbs, doesn’t mean today will be the same. Listen to your body and scale accordingly, and soon your body will start demanding larger numbers and more complicated tasks.
Goals for this year:
Oh, I have a couple of them: double-unders (I’m so very close), squat form mostly for overhead squats and snatches and I guess any other lift that requires a squat. Oh, and to fit into my wedding dress this July!
What we have to add about this athlete:
Chrystal is an incredibly talented RMT among other things. She is a benefit to have in your class because if you are feeling an odd pain or imbalance, she can usually help figure out the reason with you. She is a talented athlete who continues to discover more untapped potential!
