August Featured Athlete - Yang Liu

1. Where are you from?

I am a Chinese Australian. My answer to the question changes depending on the circumstances as I have a sense of belonging to both places.

2. What do you do for a living/what do you study?

I’m finishing up my PhD in Statistics.

3. If you aren’t from Ithaca, what brought you here?

I came to Ithaca to study at Cornell.

4. What brought you into Pallas?

I came across Pallas while searching for group fitness classes after I arrived in Ithaca in 2015. The first people I met at Pallas were Jana and Andy.

5. What keeps you coming to Pallas?

Pallas keeps me motivated. It has obvious benefits over any other exercise regimen. It’s challenging but supportive and fun, and I know when I go to Pallas, I’m going to get worked and I’m going to feel proud of myself and my friends there afterward. Pallas has the most professional and experienced coaches I know, and the programming is well thought out.

6. What are some fitness goals you’ve crossed off of your list?

The first advanced movement I got was handstand pushup, then pistols, then probably bar muscle up which I got in 2016 open. My first bar muscle up was no-rep’ed by my judge as my right foot touched a pole… haha. After that things started to slow down, but with the help from the coaches, I crossed off more and more items. Learning a skill is one thing, perfecting it is another. That’s why Pallas classes are never dull.

7. What are some future goals you have here at Pallas?

Be consistent and injury free for as long as I can. My fitness goals have shifted over the years, I was focused on learning new movements and skills, but now I’m more focused on overall fitness, self-care and stress-relief. Pallas has served both goals well!

8. What’s your favorite movement?

I don’t have a favourite. In strength I like the snatch and clean and jerk, and in conditioning I like wallball and burpees.

9. What’s your least favorite movement?

Deadlift. I have a long torso which makes deadlifting extra hard (excuse for not working hard).  

10. Chipper, couplet, strength, burner, all/none?

As long as I’m in a class, I like everything. I just do whatever the coach says — life is simple. But if I’m on my own, I tend to do more couplets. It’s good for both skill and conditional, easier to stick to, and there’s not a lot of programming and planning required. So get a coach guys! Let the professionals do the thinking. 

11. Where was your favorite vacation spot?

Anywhere above the tree line, especially in WA. The ADK is good too, as well as the White Mountains in NH.

12. Where’s your favorite place to eat in Ithaca?

Fried chicken from the gas station on 3rd street.

13. What’s your favorite dish to cook at home?

I don’t cook unfortunately.

4. Winter/spring/summer or fall?

Fall and winter. I like to take pictures so you can’t go wrong with fall!

15. Do you have a favorite book or author?

I read newspapers but not books.

16. What would you tell someone hesitant about starting CrossFit?

I don’t tell them nothing. I bring them to a class. I managed to get three people to join over the years and I consider it a success!