Melissa Brewer - October - AOM
What do you do for fun outside of CF?
I love being outdoors - hiking the gorges, running and swimming. I love going to the farmers market on the weekends. My favorite times are spent with my husband Jeff when we are kayaking or on our boat fishing, or traveling somewhere fun. We love going to concerts. I also really enjoy my quiet time, reading or working on a sewing/quilting project or trying to get stuff done around the yard and in the flower beds.
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What brought you to CF?
At the time I had been working hard on my diet and exercise consistently (finally!) and was looking for something new and exciting, something challenging but goal-oriented. The week before starting Foundations I had finished a summer-long bootcamp at Island. That bootcamp was my first introduction to movements like box jumps and wall ball shots and i absolutely loved it. I took the class with a group of girlfriends and really enjoyed working out in a group setting. I enjoyed the comradery, the support given and the support received. Feeling inspired by my friends and this class and also by other friends' stories, posts and videos about their own fitness journeys (looking at you KK!) I decided to give CrossFit a try. I'm so happy I did too! I started out at CrossFit of Ithaca last October and joined Pallas in March. October marks one year of CF for me!
What is your "why"? (What drives you?)
My WHY: I (finally) made a committment to a healthier lifestyle, first and foremost, because I helped my most loved one live through an extremely challenging and life-altering health experience and it changed my perspective about my own health and lifestyle choices. For the last two years I have worked to become a healthier, happier human, inside and out. I work out and stay active to relieve stress, keep my weight in check and to challenge my body and mind. When I started I just wanted to lose weight and be skinny because I never had been, but the more my body started to change the more inspired I was to be fit and healthy and strong, independent and confident, which in itself is incredibly beautiful and self-rewarding.
What's your favorite CF movement?
SQUATS!! I really like Thrusters! I love the combo of squatting with the barbell and then getting that weight overhead in a fluid motion. I have been working on kipping pull-ups and HSPU and I really enjoy those as well.
What's your least favorite CF movement?
I don't really have a least favorite movement (does the Time Cap count as a movement? lol) but the Snatch does present some confidence and intimidation issues for me.
If you could program one WOD, what would it look like?
6m EMOM of 5 hspu and 5 pull-ups followed by: 3RFT: 3 Power Cleans 3 Front Squats 3 Thrusters
What do you do for a living?
For 9 years I've been self-employed, owning and operating a small title searching and abstracting company called Precision Abstract, doing research on real property in and around Tompkins county. Working by yourself can mean long hours, days and weeks but I love it and it's been a great thing for me and my family.
Spring, fall, winter or summer?
Summer!! I wish it was sunny and 90 every day!
Who is your favorite Harry Potter character?
Hermione Jean Granger. She is strong, smart and independent. She can keep her cool in a crisis. She is a loyal, honest and generous friend. She's also someone who, despite her love for rules and structure, finds out how fiercely brave she is outside of those comfort zones.
If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only bring 1 item, what would it be?
Oh geez...a copy of Lord of the Rings...a knife? A lighter. Kylie, so many days and I still can't answer this question!!
Favorite book?
Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings aside.. One of my favorite books is Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger (she also wrote The Time Traveller's Wife which is also incredible). I also really like the ALL Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. I love magic.
Favorite thing to eat?
Tacos! and ice cream..and almond butter.
Future CF goals?
I have had SO much fun lately!! I've hit several PR's recently...165# backsquat and 90# push press from our last strength cycle, 205 deadlift and 125 hang power clean.
CF goals you've already crushed?
I want to always keep improving my form with every movement. I also want to not be intimidated by snatches, it's such a badass lift! I also want to start getting strict pull-ups under my belt.
Favorite Ithaca restaurant and meal there?
Again, another super hard question because I love going out to eat. Brunch is my favorite meal though and a favorite place of mine for that is Cafe Dewitt. My most favorite breakfast there is yogurt with their housemade granola and fresh fruit. And coffee. Simple, delicious.