This award is getting more and more difficult to award. On average we have 110 people through the doors to train on weekdays. In every class, almost everyone is giving it their all. In general, everyone here contributes valuably to our community too. To be honest, there are more than one or two members that stand out. However the community, coaches and myself feel that these two are most deserving.
Get to know a bit about our February Athletes of the Month!
Lisa van der Linde
How did you discover CrossFit?
I read about CrossFit in a magazine and knew I had to try it. CrossFit Jozi is just around the corner from where I work and live. Happiness.
What were you doing sport/exercise wise before CrossFit?
I did some trail running and spent a lot of time in the sauna at Virgin Active.
How long have you been training at CrossFit Jozi for?
I started the jump-up programme in October 2011.
Favourite CrossFit exercise?
Definitely Olympic lifting. I also enjoy hand stand pushups, although I haven’t cracked them yet, and I quite liked the Death by 10 meters.
Most disliked CrossFit exercise?
Thrusters. And burpees. And anything in a burpee combo.
What changes in your health, physique, performance and mental wellbeing have you noticed since starting CrossFit?
Everyone has said it but it’s true. CrossFit has changed my life. I love the physical and mental changes that have come from regular training and following a paleo diet. I also love that CrossFit is changing the view that women have to be skinny. Seeing all these amazing, strong women in the local and international community is really inspiring!
CrossFit has also changed my outlook and approach to life. Nothing is impossible, you just have to stop moaning, get off your ass and work for it.
What advice would you give to someone with regards to starting CrossFit?
Be patient, trust the programming and when you think you can’t anymore – that’s when you need to go some more. You will learn so much about yourself.
What is one word that people often use to describe you?
Complicated. (That’s a husband word.)
What is something we would be surprised to know about you?
I used to be a chef. Who knows, there might be a paleo restaurant on the horizon one day.
Favourite activity outside of CrossFit?
Doing touristy things in Joburg, the food at the weekend markets in Braamfontein is really good. The afternoon naps that follow are also the bomb!
Favourite place to eat a Paleo-ish meal in Jozi?
The steaks at Rodizio and Rhapsodys in Bedfordview are always good.
What are 2 things you will always find in your fridge?
Cold water and at the moment I love coconut cream so there are always a few tins in the fridge.
The song that gets you pumped up for a workout:
Anything from DJ Mikes progressive trance selection 🙂
The last thing you ate?
Scrambled eggs, bacon and fried banana.
Proudest accomplishment at CrossFit?
Definitely Athlete of the Month!
Which CrossFit Jozi member inspires you the most?
Tania is really strong and I love Mike’s energy as coach. I also enjoy lifting with Tamarr, she has no off button and I do my best to keep up with her which means I end up going further than I would on my own. Also, all the ladies that I regularly train with inspire me.
What are your goals for the rest of 2013?
Handstand pushups, a muscle up and to be able to bang out lots of kipping pull ups. But also to keep getting better at all the movements.
Daniel Fine
How did you discover CrossFit?
A mate of mine called me up in 2011 and told me to put on ESPN to watch what these guys were doing. The highlights of the 2011 games was on . I was like ‘who are these people and I got to do this!’
What were you doing sport/exercise wise before CrossFit?
I was running and doing your general gym workouts . Not even sure if I was training to get fit or look good ???
How long have you been training at CrossFit Jozi for?
My first official class after the Jump-Up was 21 May 2012
Favourite CrossFit exercise?
Squats (front &back), pull ups, HSPU’s ( even though I suck at them ). I love all the exercises !
Most disliked CrossFit exercise?
As I said I love them all but the ones that dislike me the most (due to my mobility I think) are Snatches and OH squats !
What changes in your health, physique, performance and mental wellbeing have you noticed since starting CrossFit?
The changes have been amazing!
I had two shoulder operations for a dislocated shoulder 16 years ago and physical life as I knew it came to an end. There were so many sports and activities I could never do.
I never thought I would be able to stand upside on my hands and support my body weight .
I had been “rehabbing” on and off for 16 years and got nowhere.
CrossFit has given me strength and mobility I thought I would never have again.
I am stronger, faster, and fitter than I could ever have dreamed of being.
Sometimes when I’m training I feel like I’m back in high school
My energy levels are up and I cannot wait to hit the box every day.
In the old days it wasn’t uncommon for me to walk into the gym and walk straight out if I was feeling tired. Now, as I walk into the box, no matter what kind of day I’ve had, I switch off and I love it!
CrossFit has allowed me to be able to use my fitness in my everyday life and I intend to be able to use it to live a long and active healthy life.
I now find I want to be healthier in terms of diet and lifestyle, not to look better, but to be able to perform to the best of my ability. I understand the value of nutrition on physical performance.
Mentally I am stronger too. I feel like I can take on any challenge .If something tests me physically I think to myself , you can do this , it’s not even close to what you feel like when you do Fran !
I have never felt better in my life!
What advice would you give to someone with regards to starting CrossFit?
If you going to spend time training you have to do it! You will see changes in you that you never thought possible. Why not be as awesome as you can be?
CrossFit is for everyone . Don’t be scared. The beauty is that all the workouts are scaled so you can train according to your own physical limits. CrossFit does not discriminate.
I honestly don’t believe anything else can keep you conditioned for life like CrossFit can.
Don’t wait! Try it for 3 months and you will never look back.
What is one word that people often use to describe you?
I’m a nice guy (so I hear )
What is something we would be surprised to know about you?
I’m determined to learn how to play the piano (it can’t be as hard as Fran 😉
Favourite activity outside of CrossFit?
I love trail running and water skiing and teaching my nephews CrossFit
Favourite place to eat a Paleo-ish meal in Jozi?
Shwarma Co. in Norwood. Deboned baby chicken.
What are 2 things you will always find in your fridge?
Eggs and Avos
The song that gets you pumped up for a workout:
I’ve got a playlist on my iPod with :
Fort Minor – remember the name
Coldplay – fix you
Eminem – lose yourself
30 secs to mars – this is war
The last thing you ate?
Grilled king clip, salad and avo. It is (CrossFit Games) Open week after all!
Proudest accomplishment at CrossFit?
There have been a few :
I loved FGB – I think I was on a high for a week after that.
Competing with such a great team in FICT and doing better than we expected – I think I was on a 2 week high after that.
Nailing my first HSPU.
And of course, this award!
Which CrossFit Jozi member inspires you the most?
There are so many great athletes and that why it’s such an honour and so humbling to receive athlete of the month.
Our box is growing and in every class there are so many girls and guys that give everything and help push me in my WoDs.
All the guys that compete, they know who they are, inspire me to do better, get stronger and set the benchmark for where I want to be.
There are also all those who give everything and are hitting pb’s and getting better every day. Its inspiring to see people pushing themselves and conquering that dark place of pain we all love and fear .
Its more than a workout it’s a moving experience and we all share it together which is inspiring.
And of course all my coaches, Imti, Mike, Andre and Rubs, each with their own unique strengths , who are the reason I am able to do this !
What are your goals for the rest of 2013?
I want to get proficient at all my goats.
I have a number of weaknesses, including mobility, that I have to work on and I’m hoping by year end to be strong and comfortable with oly lifting.
Next year I qualify for the Master’s category for the Games and it would be a dream to challenge for a spot there. This year I intend to work hard to stand a chance of making that dream come true.
