Member Spotlights : Rudy & Nikki
RUDY BERGER | Member since November 2014
When did you start doing CrossFit?
First day October 28th, 2014 a Tuesday.
What were you doing before CrossFit?
Inconsistent runner, long periods of no athletic activity.
What’s your favorite WOD?
Open 15.5
What’s your least favorite lift?
Sumo deadlift high pulls
Tell us a little about yourself outside of ChalkDust. (family, job, sports, military, interests, etc)
Wife Lynette, kids Leah and Mason. Work at Cardinal Health, enjoy house projects, exploring columbus, hanging with the kids.
What were your thoughts after your first CrossFit workout?
I am so out of shape, this is hard.
What were your goals when joining CrossFit?
Get in a exercise routine, be healthier for my family.
Have you achieved any of those goals?
These goals have been achieved and more! I have now developed performance goals. I also have changed the way I eat to fuel my body vs eating whatever when hungry.
Has CrossFit affected your life outside the Gym?
Yes, More energy, confidence in the work place, better balance of life priorities
What advice would you give to someone new to CrossFit?
Keep working. Keep trying. The soreness will decrease and will be replaced with energy and overall good feeling.
What is it about ChalkDust that makes you come back everyday?
The challenging workouts, the support from fellow members, the feeling of accomplishment.
I started CrossFit because Lynette talked me into trying it. I was reluctant. I will go to the free class to make her happy. 18 months later, my life has changed around the healthy lifestyle that CrossFit invokes. I am challenged, supported, and rewarded with self confidence by the coaches and community of ChalkDust. Thanks guys. I can't believe I am able to do the things I do here. Whats crazier is that I have the confidence to work harder and will keep improving. Masters games athlete? Maybe. Healthy, energetic family man? Definitely.
NIKKI WOODRUFF | Member since August 2015
When did you start doing CrossFit?
I started at ChalkDust in August 2015, I think. This question needs to be posed to Tiffany No Rep Hunter. On the day of my first WOD at ChalkDust I had a text from Tiffany (who may or may not be a leaderboard stalker) before I got home. I swear that she knows my time/weights/reps before I am even done with class. It made my welcome to ChalkDust even that much more awesome! I loved it!
What were you doing before CrossFit?
Before CrossFit I would roll up to the local YMCA and “ride” the elliptical until I couldn’t feel my feet. I lost a significant amount of weight between my cardio and Weight Watchers, but it was destroying my body. My metabolism was messed up and I wasn’t very strong. I’ll be honest, some days I head back in to give that elliptical a good ride. I only last about 15 minutes because I am bored out of my mind. Then I can’t wait to get back to ChalkDust!!
What were your thoughts after your first CrossFit workout?
The same as after every workout…..”That was terrible! See you tomorrow! Thanks, Mike!”
What’s your favorite WOD?
I love all partner and community WODs! One of my first days at ChalkDust I was encouraged to sign up for my first ever competition. Keep in mind, I have never, ever been an athlete so I was a bit apprehensive. (My high school didn’t have back squat competitions—if they did I would have been all in!) I was completely caught off guard and in a moment of weakness I agreed to sign up. The next day I get an email with my partner…Bethany. I had NO idea who Bethany was. The very next time I walk into the gym Bethany is there…fate for sure. Bethany and I did the Barbelle Throwdown partner competition in Marysville last fall. I was so thankful that both Bethany and I decided to take the risk and sign up for this competition. Now Bethany and I are forever friends and masters partners with this being just the beginning of our friendship journey.
My favorite WOD of all time, was on the eve of my master’s qualification (sounds pretty official, right?). 16.4It was my favorite because I completed it surrounded by the best people I could ask for during the pain. I went toe-to-toe with my Open Sister, Sue. My judge, Ellie, was a super supporter for me. In addition, all of my friends in the gym were there to cheer me on as I suffered through all of the pain that ensued with all of those movements. My entire family was there to yell at me and cheer for me when I was in the home stretch. Even my daughter, Lauren, raised her voice to tell me to finish those push ups. Finally, Jason Hillman, one of my best friends and the one that got me started in this journey, was there to support me! For me, a part of this journey is about the working out and always striving to be my best, but, the most important part of CrossFit for me, by far, is the relationships I have formed through the CrossFit community.
16.4 Progression. Before (top). Immediately after (bottom). These pictures are what makes this so fun. Sue and I were neck and neck in this open…we supported each other, encouraged each other, and beat each other. Crossfit is so awesome because of this!
What’s your least favorite lift?
Snatch. Hands down. I will learn to like this lift. I have made incredible progress since joining ChalkDust so I know it will just be a matter of time.
What were your goals when joining CrossFit? Have you achieved any of those goals?
My goals were simple: work out and be more fit.
Now my goals have changed a bit. When I first tried CrossFit, I struggled hanging from the bar. Six months ago I would have told you that I have given up on ever getting a pull up. Now, I am working on stringing them together. Four months ago I had all but given up on getting some toes to bar. After a workout one day, Melinda said in her stern voice, “show me a toes to bar.” I got up there….and what do you know, my toes touched that bar. She casually walked away saying, “Next time, get up there and do that RX!” I am continually impressed by the support of my ChalkDust family. This is what keeps people like me coming back for more.
Has CrossFit affected your life outside the Gym?
CrossFit is perfect for someone with my personality. I am intense. CrossFit is intense.
CrossFit makes me feel better and stronger, physically and mentally. It also has helped me to adjust my nutritional habits because I feel like I work so hard in the gym I don’t want to mess it up by making poor choices (except during the Open—Brian, MA and Ellie are a bad influence on Friday nights).
What advice would you give to someone new to CrossFit?
Just take the plunge. CrossFit can be a bit intimidating. I had no idea what I was doing my first month or so. Heck, even now, I wonder some days if I am a first timer. Do it. Step out of your comfort zone and open up to starting this journey.
From the fitness perspective, ten years ago I had NO idea that I would be as strong and as in shape as I am now. Don’t get me wrong, I have so much to work on, but that is what is so fun about this journey. After every class I feel so accomplished and know that I have pushed my body to the limit. It is such an awesome feeling knowing I pushed myself so hard. When you start to see the hard work pay off it is so rewarding. I see the pay off in my gym performance in both my strength and my WOD times.
What is it about ChalkDust that makes you come back every day?
The awesome people.
Tell us a little about yourself outside of ChalkDust. (family, job, sports, military, interests, etc)
I am married to my high school sweetheart, Paul, and we have two children who also love to CrossFit. Paul has just finished his first foundations class so you will all see him around the gym more often. Lauren is a 7th grader at Hyatts middle school and she loves to run. AJ is a 4th grader who loves football and basketball and he is just as intense as his mom.
I am a teacher by profession. I am currently a primary trainer at The Literacy Collaborative at The Ohio State University. We are a project that delivers professional development to primary (K-2) literacy coaches in school districts with the goal being school-wide literacy reform. In short, I train coaches who teach teachers how to teach children how to read and write. I love it and every day I feel like I am making a difference in the literate lives of our most valuable resource, our children. Wow, that was sappy.
