Name: Denise Aleman

Age: 34 Occupation: stay at home mom/teacher, RYT 200 yoga instructor and recently became a Jr High youth pastor assistant at our church.

Which class do you usually attend? 4:30pm or 8:15am Favorite WOD: anything with running, pistols or DU’s.

Favorite Lift: OHS, bench press or back squats.

How long have you been CrossFitting? Since 2009.

What keeps you coming back? The people I’ve met and wanting to stay healthy and active for my boys.

How did you find CrossFit? At our old church we had a free boot camp put on by an L2 certified coach. I attended every Saturday for 3 mos. We learned a lot of the CF movements and a nutritionist taught us about eating paleo.

How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle and level of fitness? Growing up I never belonged to a certain sport that I felt was the best for me and I never felt like I was athletic at all. I tried doing track, swim and soccer but didn’t stick to anything. After I was introduced to CF I felt like I found something I could actually do and tailor to my own abilities and skill level. I didn’t feel like I had to compare myself to anyone else, I just had to keep improving my own performance. Along with CF I trained for marathons and triathlons and I knew the combo was a perfect fit for myself.

What is the One Thing you have done here that you never thought you could do? I never thought I could be athletic or “sporty.” I couldn’t do sit ups without someone holding my feet, push ups were so hard, my mile was 13 min at its fastest and forget pull ups (this body wasn’t going up).

Name one goal/personal achievement that you would like to achieve through CrossFit? I would like to be a fit Gma when I get older that can hang with her grandkids, travel with my love and enjoy life as it should be (preferably without a wheelchair).

Any advice for new members? Find your weaknesses and try to conquer them, but make sure to have fun!