Member Spotlight!!!!! Itai, Lin, and Joady!!

Member Spotlight Itai and Lin! 

How did you hear about CrossFit and what was your first experience/WOD?
Itai:
I first heard about CrossFit while living in Costa Rica, it was in early 2013. It was a big trend over there that time, EVERYONE was talking about it and honestly it didn’t sound like something I wanted to do since people who did CrossFit never stopped talking about it!  My wife (girlfriend at the time) Lin convinced me to join a class, it was a hard one, I loved it.

Lin:
Through a friend.  I can't remember the WOD , but I do recall I almost pass out after the class. 

When did you first come to CrossFit NOLA?
Itai:
I moved to New Orleans late 2013 and joined the CrossFit NOLA right then

Lin:
July of 2014

How many days do you CrossFit? What classes do you normally take (times and specialties)?
Itai:
I usually do 5 days a week. I am attending the 10:00 am WOD class downtown. 
Lin:
5-6pm, 4-5 days a week

What motivates you/keeps you coming back to CrossFit NOLA?
Itai:
I love the diversity in CrossFit and the fact that the workout changes everyday and work on different things to make you a complete athlete and not just focusing on one thing only, the competitiveness of it is definitely a motivation for me.
Lin:
I like the way my body feels after a workout. And I love to eat. 
Favorite thing about New Orleans?
Itai:
If i have to choose I will go with the people of New Orleans
Lin:
The people and the fabulous food 
What  accomplishment are you the most proud of (outside and inside of the gym)? 
Itai:
Outside of the gym probably starting a business at young age.
Inside the gym - muscle up!
Lin:
Getting my masters degree. 
After a hard workout, what is your favorite meal?
Itai:
SO had to choose…My wife’s cooking :) 
Lin:
Pizza

What are some of your interests outside of CrossFit?
Itai:
Wine, travel and music 
Lin:
The beach, dancing, cooking and being happy!
What do you do for a living?
Itai:
I have a restaurant here called ‘Doris Metropolitan’ and another one in Costa Rica. 
Lin:
I'm an Attorney
What is one goal that you are currently working on?
Itai:
Improving technique and PR’s 
Lin:
Double unders and handstand walk

Member spotlight JOADY HARPER!!

How did you hear about CrossFit and what was your first experience/WOD?
Probably about 4 years ago i started to see more and more of my friends posting their WOD of Facebook... It took me a minute to really get into what CrossFit was all about but the people i knew that were doing it were seeing real results. 

After 20yrs of literally running to work, up and down stairs, from train to bus, walking at a speed that only happens in London/New York, i began working from home. After a year of that and hitting the big 4-Oh-my-god - my weight gained and my fitness level had plummeted. I was doing yoga, trying to run, counting calories but nothing worked. It was at that time we decided to move out of NY and intermittently to Texas - where i took my first CrossFit class. 

It was 6am, i could do nothing! I struggled to run even 400m, i couldn't jump rope without skipping from foot to foot, my flexibility was awful! It was also there that i was introduced to the the thing they call the BURPEE!!!


When did you first come to CrossFit NOLA?
I first came to CrossFit Nola in about September of 2013, i had been doing CrossFit for about 3months by then. Damian was my first coach - he told be about his trip to England with his Dad and showed me that if i put plates under my heels it would actually help my squat - something that had seemed completely unattainable to me at that point.


How many days do you CrossFit? What classes do you normally take (times and specialties)?
I am a regular at the N Cortez Street 12noon class - it's a good time for me, it enables me to get up, see to my dogs, do a few hours of work and break off for an hour. 


What motivates you/keeps you coming back to CrossFit NOLA?
It's fun!! The coaches are great, the other members are supportive, it's a real community. Everyone comes from pretty different backgrounds, people are at all different levels (me being pretty low down the totem in athletic ability!) but no one is that insular kind of competitive like you get at a regular gym. 


Favorite thing about New Orleans?
I think i like it mostly because it's so beautiful but not in that pristine way, grand and yet shabby, the buildings have a distinct style and yet they're all different... it's inspiring with all it's flaws. 


What  accomplishment are you the most proud of (outside and inside of the gym)? 
Being able to run a mile, in the height of the Louisiana summer in under 9minutes - and my "1" strict pull-up!


After a hard workout, what is your favorite meal?
It's not exactly paleo - in fact it's not paleo at all!! an avocado, salad sandwich and a coconut yogurt. 


What are some of your interests outside of CrossFit?
Art, music, friends and animals... I'm a total nut for my dogs, i have three rescue mutts and three cats and would totally have more if i had the space and the bank balance! 


What do you do for a living?
I have a booking agency that I run with my husband - so we book national and international tours for bands and recording artists. I have worked in the music business for over 20yrs. 


What is one goal that you are currently working on?
DOUBLE UNDERS!!!!!