Shawn and Elisha Moeller

Meet our spotlight athletes of the month - Shawn and Elisha Moeller! They started at CFC only a few months ago and have both quickly become some of our top performers.  They have the best attitudes and encourage everyone around them.  They aren’t just killing WOD’s and going home - they have become part of our CFC family and we couldn’t love them more!

We asked them some questions to help us all get to know them a little more - 

SHAWN:

How long have you been Crossfitting?   

June 2015 officially, but I did attempt Crossfit for about 3 weeks at a Powerhouse gym in LR before we were kicked out for dropping weights….

What made you start CF?  

I have wanted to join a crossfit gym for years, but had just never pulled the trigger.  The class on Acxiom’s campus was too convenient to pass up.  

What changes have you seen since starting CF?  

My biggest goal when I started crossfit was to lean up some.  And I’ve been able to do that, but I’ve had a lot of strength gains as well, which has been a pleasant surprise.

What is your favorite/least favorite movement? 

I like squats, front or back.  I loathe the snatch.  I am unable to move the barbell upward while lowering my rear-end simultaneously.  It’s one or the other.  And sometimes neither.  

What is your favorite part of CF Conway? 

Probably the comradery formed with the other class participants.  There’s a great mix of competitiveness and encouragement that makes completing a difficult workout that much more enjoyable, and fulfilling.  Elisha and I have also formed some great new friendships that we’re excited about and very thankful for. 

What are your long term goals? 

To continue to improve my flexibility and mobility.  Both were terrible when I started doing crossfit.  I’m still behind there, but it’s getting better, and that’s encouraging.  

What advice do you have for people wanting to start CF? 

I wanted to join a crossfit gym for several years, but was hesitant because honestly a little it’s intimidating.  But it’s been a very rewarding experience to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new.  Crossfit works, you’ll make new friends, and enjoy yourself in the process. 

ELISHA:

How long have you been Crossfitting?  

since June 2015

What made you start CF? 

I tried CF for a month in 2013 and loved it but work/family schedules didn't work out at the time for me to continue. When it was offered to join through Acxiom this year - we jumped on it!

What changes have you seen since starting CF? 

My overall health is in a much better state as I've learned about a better way to workout, nutrition, my spine health, and toxins. Physically, I am faster, stronger, and leaner.

What is your favorite/least favorite movement? 

My favorite movement is the burpee. **GASP!!** My least favorite movement is the snatch. I might find a little more agreement in that one from others.

What is your favorite part of CF Conway? 

The people and the positive atmosphere. God has definitely used this experience to help us build relationships that wouldn't have occurred without it. We started it with the idea to just fill the gap in our workout regime, but I can't say enough how it has contributed to our overall health by working on the things we didn't even realize were unhealthy.

What are your long term goals? 

To run a sub 23 minute 5k and to continue to learn more about nutrition

What advice do you have for people wanting to start CF? 

Crossfit's reputation precedes itself, so I hear from women when they hear that I do Crossfit that they want to try but scared for various reasons. Some of the things I've found myself telling women: EVERYTHING can be scaled. You are not required to lift heavy weights to get a good workout. You will not start to look like a man if you do Crossfit. Give it a try! It can be life-changing if you go all in! 

Katie Wyzgoski

We are pleased to announce Katie Wyzgoski as our September Athlete of the Month.  Katie started regularly attending classes this past March. During her short time with us she has racked up an impressive list of PRs including: 135lb Power Clean, 105lb Snatch, 175lb Front Squat, and 130lb Clean and Jerk.

Katie says that CrossFit has improved every aspect of her life and provided an avenue to meet positive people who motivate her to become a stronger athlete and woman.  She credits it with saving her from a dark past and allowing her to set out on a path to a bright future.    

Katie’s immediate CrossFit future includes competing with the Peak Performance team in the HOA competition at the end of this month.  Keep it up Katie, we see big things for your future inside and outside of the Box!   We are so very proud of you for becoming the person we knew you could be!

Adam Gilbert

Adam admits that starting CrossFit was a little intimidating, but all of that went out the window at the first class.  He is now proud to be part of the dedicated group at the 5:15 am class! The dedication of this group and team atmosphere is one of the things that keep him coming back.  The other reason is the coaching CFC offers.  He feels that he still has a long way to go on technique for a lot of movements, but without the help and patience of the a.m. coaches, he would not be where he is today. 

Since Joining his power clean has improved to 225lbs.  He has also noticed a huge improvement on his overall fitness. 

Keep up the great work, and PRs Adam. We are extremely proud of you and happy to have you as a part of the CFC family!

Luke Baldwin

We would like to recognize and celebrate our featured athlete Luke Baldwin. 

Luke is 33 years old and has been doing Crossfit for a year. He played all kinds of sports growing up, mainly basketball and baseball, and continues to play basketball from time to time. He wanted something different in his life that would challenge him and he saw that in Crossfit. 

The accountability of the Crossfit community and the challenges it brings are both big draws for Luke. He also enjoys the coaching and family atmosphere at Crossfit Maumelle. 

Luke has had many major achievements over the last year, including mastering his double unders and advancing in his olympic lifts. A couple of additional achievements Luke and Crossfit Maumelle are most proud of are him starting Crossfit and sticking to it and him changing how he eats, which was not something he intended on doing when he started Crossfit. 

He would like to continue to improve on his olympic lifts, shoulder strength and mobility. Also, continue healthy eating habits and provide that leadership for his family. We know that with Luke’s determination, work ethic and character, he will have no problem meeting these goals and many more! 

Luke looks forward to a new challenge each and every day he shows up and says Crossfit and it’s community have provided a place to call home that has changed his life mentally and physically. 

We are so proud of Luke and his achievements! More importantly, we are thankful for his friendship, generosity toward others, jovial personality and that he calls Crossfit Maumelle his home. 

Kim Le

Kim is 30 years old and started Crossfit in March of 2011 after finding and following a well known crossfitter Miranda Oldroyd, which we say is her doppelgänger;) She then found the nearest box and began her journey.

Kim ran cross country in high school. She was also a state champ in white tiger keno karate 2001-2003 and taught kickboxing. Crossfit was a draw to her because of its constantly changing movements, which have kept her challenged and never bored. She loves that Crossfit creates a supportive community/family, where she has developed lasting friendships. Crossfit has built her confidence and she enjoys getting to workout with friends and just having fun.

She feels stronger and is doing things she never imagined herself doing. She says, “any time a movement gets easier to me its a huge achievement.” Kim has recently started stringing chest to bar pull ups together and has joined the 200 club on her back squat. Outside the gym, she attributes her new found confidence and love for who she is to Crossfit.

She is currently working on improving her form in her oly lifts, specifically her clean, and has set a goal of getting 155# by March. We know this will not be a problem from Kim!!! She is one of the most loyal, dedicated and hard working people we know!

Having Kim in the gym makes everyones day brighter! Laughing, singing, dancing and cheering everyone on…all while moving heavy weights quickly!  And quotes like this: “I just love how crossfit makes me feel! It makes me happy just like chocolate does.” A girl after my own heart! How can your day not be brighter?!

We are so thankful for Kim, her friendship and enthusiasm for Crossfit and are proud to celebrate her as athlete of the month.