Athlete Of The Month: Kalynn Y.

June 2014 Athlete of the Month: Kalynn Y.

Congratulations to Kalynn, our June 2014 Athlete of the Month! Kalynn has been coming consistently to our evening classes since 2012. While she’s steadily improved over the past two years, she’s made especially huge and noticeable strides over the past couple of months. She just can’t stop PR-ing on 1RM and 3RM back squats, and has started to get more advanced movements— like double-unders—down with ease. I saw her playing around on the rings the other night, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a muscle-up were in her near future. Kalynn also has an amazing mindset and attitude when it comes to CrossFit. She is humble, thoughtful and dedicated. When interviewed for this feature, she attributed her improvements to an increased focus on technique and mechanics, and expressed excitement about pushing herself harder this summer. She’s excellent proof that hard work, consistency and thoughtfulness go a long way in making a great athlete!

How long have you been doing CrossFit?

I started doing garage-y CrossFit with friends around February 2011, and my on-ramp with CFEB was in March 2012.

Favorite WOD/movements:

For the longest time I was afraid of Olympic lifting, but I’m excited about it and want to improve. I like that it’s technical, it’s something I can work at and learn about how my body works in the process. Gymnastics are fun too. They’re graceful.

Least favorite WOD/movements:

No question! Overhead squats. My whole body says no, starting with my ankles.

Greatest CrossFit accomplishment:

In June last year I started a grad program in nursing, and the first year was non- stop. I’ve never been as mentally or physically tired as I’ve been this year, and most days at the gym it was all I could do to move. I got slower and gained weight. I worked hard to be at peace with simply ‘doing’ workouts without pushing, with telling myself I was focusing on form over intensity or weight. In the process I feel like I learned something about cooling it on the self-criticism, at the gym and in the rest of my life. I’m thankful for that.

Current CrossFit Goal:

I’d like to nail a handful of movements that I’ve been able to do but not well, like pistols, double-unders, and handstand push-ups. I’d also like to find the courage to work on things I’ve never tried, like muscle-ups.

What do you like to do when you’re not doing CrossFit?
I like to move and be outside as much as I can. I swim slowly with a Master’s team in Oakland. I love mountains and will take any chance I can to be in them. I have the world’s longest adult summer break (until October!), so I also study a lot, watch cat videos, and cook.

If you could only listen to one musical artist while you worked out, which
one would it be?

That’s tough. Kanye West.

What’s your favorite thing about CrossFit East Bay?

Definitely the people! I’m a quiet person and slow to get to know folks, but I look forward to coming to the gym and working out with the same energetic people. My shy side used to have the hardest time with why we did introductions at the start of workouts, but now I think they’re an important part of how our community is built and I like that they’ve been emphasized.

July 2014 Upcoming Events

Saturday July 19

Last July Informal Track WOD

Time: 8AM

Location: Piedmont High School Track (Witter Field)
Park near this address, then walk down to the track:
312 Wildwood Ave
Piedmont, CA 94611

No stairs this time, but we will do some 400m efforts.

The next track workout will be on Saturday, August 2.

 

Wednesday July 23 – Sunday July 27

The CrossFit Games!

Held in Carson, CA, the CrossFit Games will be streaming live Wednesday-Sunday. Workout details are here or go straight to games.crossfit.com.

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