July Featured Athlete - Maria Klemperer-Johnson
1. What brought you into CFP?
I started XFit in 2018 when I started a new job teaching at SUNY Delhi when a colleague there encouraged me to join a XFit gym there. When the folks there heard I was from Ithaca, they were psyched that I might work out with Tim Paulson. However, I initially joined CFI in Ithaca because some other friends were going there. That introduction in Delhi and at CFI got me hooked on XFit. At first during the pandemic, I was working out at home, but eventually began to really miss the camaraderie of the gym. I was a little apprehensive joining Pallas - my morale was pretty low from the pandemic and life in general, and we were still working out in masks. However, there were many familiar faces, and the new faces were supportive and welcoming, and it didn't take long for Pallas to feel like home.
2. What’s your athletic background?
I have always done racing sports. I ran and skied cross country and ran track in high school. I rowed for 4 years in college. And when I first moved to Ithaca, I raced bikes - mountain, road, and cyclocross. When my kids were little, I found it hard to keep doing sports, especially ones like cycling that took up entire afternoons. I ran some, got pretty into yoga, and had a physical job that kept me tired, but not necessarily fit.
3. What have you gained from joining CF?
Joining XFit has made me feel whole again. I had aches and pains from doing physical work without maintaining fitness, and it was clear they could start to become debilitating if I didn't do something about it. But I had also forgotten how satisfying it is to push myself and to learn new physical skills. That has really been a joy for me. I also find as I get older that doing intense workouts helps my general energy level as well as my mental health.
4. What’s your favorite movement?
I really enjoy pullups. I sometimes dream about them. I can do more in my dreams than in real life. Learning the kip and really honing in on it has made them fun. Oh, and I of course love the rower just because I can crush it. It really brings home how much technique really matters.
5. What’s your least favorite movement?
It's a tie between thrusters and wallballs, but they're basically the same movement, so...
6. If you could write a wod what would it look like?
Rowing
Dubs
Pullups
7. What are some goals you’ve crossed off your CrossFit list?
Dubs. I thought I was doing great with dubs last year. I spent my beach vacation working on them and made great improvements. Then I took video of myself early this spring and realized how ridiculous I looked with my knees going to my chest and my arms flailing around! This summer vacation I've been working on springing off my toes and keeping my arms relaxed. It's really helping and I look a little less foolish. I hit 50 in a row yesterday! I keep planning on videoing some other movements, but it was so painful watching myself flail around... I have to get my nerve up.
8. What are some future goals you have?
I would love to master the handstand walk and muscle ups.
9. What do you do for self care?
CrossFit
Meditation
10. Where’s your favorite place to eat out in the area?
Asia Cuisine
11. Winter, spring, summer or fall?
September/October
12. Can you tell us about a dream vacation spot?
Hmmm... Not really.
13. What do you do for a living?
I run a small business called Hammerstone School teaching carpentry classes to women.
14. Where are you from?
I was born in Oakland, CA, lived there until I was 9, and the rest of my growing up was in Vermont. I went back to college in CA, bounced around a bit, then ended up in Ithaca in 2001, and have been here since.
15. What’s a random fact you could share with the CFP community?
My current favorite tree is Larch. Not only is its wood rather rot resistant and therefore good for outdoor woodworking projects, it is unique in that it is a deciduous conifer.
16. If someone was hesitant about trying CF, what would you tell them?
I feel like CrossFit is a good equalizer. There is always a movement you feel like a rock star at, and always a movement where you can be inspired and pushed by everyone else around you.