Hey Folks!
It’s that time of month! We get to feature another of our awesome members :) This month we couldn’t decide on just one, and ultimately, this pair came together and have both progressed more or less in lock step with each other (despite training at different times!) They’re a great example of how to make a busy life work, and to set your values in the right order so as to get what is important done. We’re very proud and excited to reveal February’s CrossFitters of the Month as…
Meredith & Chad!
Here are their answers to our questions :)
Names: Meredith & Chad Teller
Age: 31 & 30 (respectively)
Occupations: Business Manager, Faculty of Arts, Laurentian University and Essential Oil guru, Teller Wellness Essentials – Stay at home Dad / Dean of Residence at Thornloe University.
What was your exercise experience prior to CrossFit?
M: I have enjoyed working out on and off. I wasn’t involved in any sports or physical activities in high school, and my passion for physical health and wellbeing came several years after that. Chad and I were part of an internship for a couple years where physical fitness and activity was required, and that’s where my endurance and fitness got revived. I ran a couple 10k races, and the discipline of exercise got ingrained into me! After leaving that program, I knew I wanted to keep that up. I enjoy running but struggled to find an exercise routine or program that I could actually stick with long-term. I tried a gym membership, P-90X, other at-home videos or HIIT etc. with Chad (with him being my personal trainer!), but nothing that I would actually stick with.
C: My exercise experience began as a child in little league baseball and football. Then in high school did weightlifting class and football. I was always a bit overweight in high school and had image issues and self-esteem issues as well. After high school, I lived in Texas for 2 years as part of a youth leadership internship. During the internship, I started to address my self-esteem, and body image issues and started with PE almost every, but no credit to myself, lol, as we were required to do it. I also started to run. By the time I left the internship I had dropped 30 lbs and was running a couple 10K’s a week as well as dating Meredith!! Over the next couple years, I just kept running and working out at local gyms in Michigan as well as doing my first (and last :) ) sprint triathlon. In 2013 I was introduced to high-intensity interval training (aka “HIIT”), and became a personal trainer for about 1.5 years. During this time I started hearing about Crossfit, but always thought it was for super athletes and not for the average person. And just before joining Crossfit Sudbury was doing HIIT at home with Meredith and my father in-law.
How long have you been doing CrossFit and why do you choose to CrossFit?
M: I had never really heard of CrossFit before Chad started talking about it. After our third baby was born, I was looking for some sort of exercise program or workout that I could do to get my body back to where I wanted it to be. I tried an at-home program, but I couldn’t discipline myself to actually do it!
I was very intimidated by the idea of doing CrossFit, and I wasn’t sure I would like it because I didn’t know if I was “hardcore” enough lol! We started doing Fundamentals last February and graduated in April. After my first session, I knew I would enjoy it because I love a challenge, and I love pushing myself. I choose to continue doing CrossFit because it’s always different. I tend to get bored easily so I really enjoy the variety. And I’ve come to realize that CrossFit really is for everyone, and it’s fun!
C: Meredith and I joined together last February, I was off in May-August do to a back injury, so back at it for 6 months. I choose to do Crossfit because over time I realized that anyone can be apart of Crossfit, and I knew that I wanted to learn and grow in my knowledge of exercise and how to grow in my abilities. And I continue to be apart of Crossfit because of the changes I’ve seen and experienced in my abilities and knowledge and I just love taking care of my body and feeling healthy.
What is your favourite part about CrossFit?
M: My favourite part about CrossFit, and one of the things that keeps me coming back is that there are noticeable and measurable results. You get out what you put in, and it’s so cool to see my strength improving, and to see my times getting faster. I also love the variety in the workouts. And I love the relationships and the encouragement you get when you accomplish something, even if it’s just surviving the WOD! And the competitiveness that Chad and I have with each other in completing the WOD is also a lot of fun!
C: My favourite part of CrossFit is being able to encourage others in there goals and accomplishments, being a part of the CFSuds family, growing in my strength and controlling my body weight better, and of course looking hotter for my wife!!
What are the accomplishments you are proud of? (CrossFit or non-CrossFit related)
M: I’m proud of the wife and mother I am and continue to grow to be, and I’m proud of the business I’m building by sharing my love and passion of essential oils. I’m proud of the things that I have been physically able to accomplish with my body after having 3 kids. At the gym, I’m proud of my increasing PR’s! It’s really encouraging to see the numbers continue to increase. I just PR’d my Clean by 50lbs during 18.2. I surprised myself and I’m really proud of that. I’ve also recently gotten my first strict pull-up, and I’m working on linking some kipping pull-ups.
C: I’m so proud to be an engaged husband and father!! I’m proud of my work as Dean, and of just about completing my BA. I’m proud of my accomplishments of PR’s in many bodyweight exercises. And I’m proud to just be me! :)
Favourite workout or lift?
M: I really like the weightlifting. Pretty much anything with the barbell. I’ve even come to like snatches, which I used to hate! It’s fun to be able to throw weight around :)
C: I enjoy anything that pushes my cardio and I LOVE MURPH!!
Anything else you would like to share please feel free
M: I really like the family feel of CrossFit Sudbury, and how it really feels like a judgement-free place. I look forward to continuing to learn and challenge myself! Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to where I am today!
C: I will leave you with one of my favourite quotes, and I believe Crossfit Sudbury gives room for individuals to grow, to create community and encourages someone to be the best they can be and be powerful beyond measure.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
– Marianne Williamson
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