MEMBER SPOTLIGHT!!! MEET BROOKE (MIDCITY), CELESTE (UPTOWN), AND DIXIE (DOWNTOWN)

BROOKE BAETZ-MIDCITY MEMBER

How did you hear about CrossFit and what was your first experience/WOD?
I work with Andrew Freeman. He loves this place (so do I)! He told me to give it a try, on more then one occasion. I was happy at my old gym though. I was doing MMA style classes, and interval training. Then my partner switched to a night shift job, and it was hard to get to my old gym and take care of my pups. I came in for a Saturday morning intro class with Jeff. The workout didn't seem too bad, and the gym was packed, there was a ton of energy. There were people climbing ropes, swinging on rings, I was intrigued.

When did you first come to CrossFit NOLA?
My mom was in town visiting from New Jersey. She came in with me to get signed up and wouldn't let me pay. At 32 years old she wouldn't let me pay for my own fundamentals class, no lie.

How many days do you CrossFit?
What classes do you normally take (times and specialties)? I'm usually at Mid-city for the 5 or 6pm wod. I enjoy Ryne's gymnastics classes on Tues/Saturday. Cathy has recently taken me under her wing for oly classes (she's bad ass, and a good friend). Lastly, I've been working with Sarah Jane every week, which can be lifting technique, gymnastics skills, or a random fun day. She has really helped me, not only with technique but with staying positive and working hard on clear goals.

What motivates you/keeps you coming back to CrossFit NOLA?
The people. The atmosphere of the community that transcends from high fives in the wod, to cheering at local competitions, to games athletes pulling for each other.

Favorite thing about New Orleans?
Festivals (and drive thru daiquiris)

What  accomplishment are you the most proud of (outside and inside of the gym)?
I just got 1 pistol/leg. Yay, I've been working on those for months. Outside, I'm pretty proud of all the work we have done on our house. When we first moved in everything was peach! I'm talking walls, ceiling, carpets, all over. We completely redid both the interior and exterior, a lot of it on our own. I can swing a mean hammer.

After a hard workout, what is your favorite meal?
After a workout I feel all healthy and buff. I don't like to eat anything crappy, so it's usually something with tofu. I've been a vegetarian since I was 12. Tried to be vegan for a year, but fell off the wagon. When I cheat, I'm going big, cotton candy ice cream in a waffle cone.

What are some of your interests outside of CrossFit?
I enjoy quiet downtime things like reading, stretching, and walking the pups. I have three pups, that I love to death. They are Godiva, Nova, and Finn.

What do you do for a living?
I'm a heart transplant pharmacist. Basically I round on patients, keep an eye on their meds, and teach them everything they need to know about taking them.

What is one goal that you are currently working on?
Pull ups, all varieties. I want the damn chest to bar bad.

Are you competing in any upcoming competitions? Why do you like to compete?
​Deep South. Last year I didn't get last place because I managed to squeeze out one pull up on the final event. That's not going to be me this year! I really enjoy competing, even though I feel like I'm not competitive at all. It gives me goals to work towards, like please let me get ctb before Deep South this year! And it also gives me an idea of what I do fairly well, and what I completely suck at. Everyone reading this should go and sign up ;)

CELESTE MCDONALD-UPTOWN MEMBER

How did you hear about CrossFit and what was your first experience/WOD?
I HEARD ABOUT CROSSFIT IN COLLEGE. SHORTLY AFTER THE MOVIE ‘300’ CAME OUT, A FRIEND OF MINE KEEP TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY DID CROSSFIT TO GET IN SHAPE FOR THE MOVIE, NO ONE EVEN KNEW WHAT THAT WAS. NEXT THING I KNEW THAT SAME GUY WAS IN THE BACK YARD MOVING RAIL ROAD TIES BACK AND FORTH, THEN UP AND DOWN (SOON TO BE KNOWN AS A THRUSTER?).
 
MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WAS IN THE FUNDAMENTALS CLASS WITH LIZ.
 
When did you first come to CrossFit NOLA?
 AFTER I FINISHED THE CPA EXAM, I DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO GET MY BUTT OFF THE COUCH/OUT OF HAPPY HOUR. SO I GOOGLED ‘CROSSFIT NEW ORLEANS.’ LUCKY ME, THERE WAS A FUNDAMENTALS CLASS STARTING THE NEXT WEEK.
 
How many days do you CrossFit? What classes do you normally take (times and specialties)?
 GENERALLY YOU CAN FIND ME AT UPTOWN FOR THE 7:30PM CLASSES AND SATURDAY AT MIDCITY FOR THE STRONGMAN. I LIKE TO DO 3 REGULAR CLASSES PER WEEK AND STRONGMAN. STRONGMAN IS FUN BECAUSE OF ALL THE ODD OBJECTS AND IT IS SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT EVERY WEEK. I THINK COACH JULIE/BRAD GET SOME ENJOYMENT FROM SEEING OUR PAIN AND SUFFERING.
 
What motivates you/keeps you coming back to CrossFit NOLA?
 TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST, WALKING INTO A ‘REGULAR’ GYM IS SUPER INTIMIDATING TO ME…… SO MANY PEOPLE, SO MANY MACHINES, SO MANY PULLEYS AND LEVERS. IM STRESSED OUT JUST THINKING ABOUT IT. I LIKE TO SHOW UP, DO WHAT I AM TOLD AND GO HOME. THERE IS REALLY NO THOUGHT OR PREPARATION THAT GOES INTO THIS.
 
Favorite thing about New Orleans?
 NOT EVEN A QUESTION, HAS TO BE THE FOOD. I LOVE TO TRY NEW RESTAURANTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. I BASICALLY WORKOUT SO I CAN EAT WHAT I WANT AND NOT FEEL GUILTY. I PROBABLY SHOULDN’T BE ADMITTING THAT IN A GYM BLOG…….. OOPS- DON’T TELL MY UPT COACHES.

What  accomplishment are you the most proud of (outside and inside of the gym)?  
WELL, I JUST RECENTLY GOT MY FIRST HANDSTAND. I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THIS FOR SO LONG AND COACH JULIE HAS A VIDEO TO PROVE IT. I WAS ALSO SUPER PROUD OF GETTING ALL OF THE DEADLIFTS AT 155 IN THE OPEN WORKOUT THIS YEAR- I MADE THE VERY LAST MINUTE DECISION NOT TO SCALE DOWN THE WEIGHT AND I’M GLAD I DIDN’T. OH YEAH, AND GETTING MY FIRST STRICT PULL UP WAS A BIG DEAL.
 
OUTSIDE OF THE GYM: I PROPOSED TO MY PARTNER OF 7.5 YEARS IN JULY. BIG TIME. TYING THE KNOT.
 
After a hard workout, what is your favorite meal?
 TOSS UP BETWEEN THE COMPANY BURGER (REALLY THE COMPANY BURGER….. DON’T GIVE ME THAT WHIMPY SINGLE PATTI) AND SUSHI.
 
OH, AND I ALSO HAVE A LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH CANES.
 
What are some of your interests outside of CrossFit?
 CURRENT INTERESTS INCLUDE: PLANNING A WEDDING, SPENDING TIME WITH THE FIANCE, AND PLAYING FETCH WITH MY PUPPIES. 
 
ALSO, I RECENTLY GOT INTERNET AT OUR HOUSE- NO JOKE, WITHIN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. SO I JOINED THIS NEW THING CALLED NETFLIX, NOT SURE IF YOU GUYS ARE FAMILIAR WITH IT OR NOT.
 
IN ALL HONESTY I GOT INTERNET SO THAT I COULD JOIN THE WWE NETWORK. IF YOU EVER ATTENDED A MONDAY OR WEDNESDAY 730PM CLASS, I AM SURE YOU HAVE HEARD ME DISCUSSING WITH AARON AND BRANDON MY LOVE FOR JOHN CENA AND THE ROCK.
 
What do you do for a living?
 I WORK AT A PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (SAME ONE AS COACH BOWEN) AS AN AUDIT MANAGER. SO I TRAVEL AROUND THE CITY AND DO FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDITING.
 
What is one goal that you are currently working on?
WELL NOW THAT I HAVE MY HANDSTAND UNDER CONTROL- ITS TIME TO MAKE THAT INTO A HANDSTAND PUSH UP. ALSO, I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT DOING THE LEVEL 1 CERTIFICATION…….REALLY SO THAT I CAN DO THE STRONGMAN CERT AFTER THAT!
 
Are you doing any upcoming competitions or events?
CURRENTLY NO COMPETITIONS PLANNED, BUT I HAVE SET A GOAL THAT I WANT TO DO THE WINTER WOD WARS IN THE RX DIVISION.

DIXIE KRAUSS-DOWNTOWN MEMBER

How did you hear about CrossFit and what was your first experience/WOD?  
One of my best friends was on her own journey and fell in love with CrossFit. It took a couple of months convincing and after my first class I was hooked. My first WOD was 150 wall balls for time.. I remember not being able to walk for days! 

When did you first come to CrossFit NOLA?
After a year away, I joined CF NOLA earlier this year; April I believe. 

How many days do you CrossFit? What classes do you normally take (times and specialties)?
4-5 days a week- 5 or 6pm classes at the downtown location. 

What motivates you/keeps you coming back to CrossFit NOLA?
Them GAINZ! :) Challenging myself to be better, faster, and stronger. 

Favorite thing about New Orleans?
The culture. There's something very special about this city. You get such a mash up of people,
food, religion, art, music etc. Diversity is key to our future. 

What  accomplishment are you the most proud of (outside and inside of the gym)? 
Inside the gym- honestly just finding the time and motivation to give it all I got. Life is hard but taking the time for yourself and making your health a priority is such an accomplishment in our environment. 

Outside the gym- my MBA 

After a hard workout, what is your favorite meal?
I feel like this is a trick question! Food is the hardest part of my day. Making good decisions day in and day out requires some serious planning and I'm proud of how hard I've worked on this aspect of my lifestyle. All that being said, cauliflower rice is probably the best new addition to my diet.  

What are some of your interests outside of CrossFit?
I love coffee, my pup, Chloe, riding my bike and spending time with my friends. 

What do you do for a living?
Director of Operations at the Aloft New Orleans Downtown 

What is one goal that you are currently working on?
All the gymnastics.