Shannon Cerny

December 2010′s Member of the Month is Shannon Cerny!  If you have every needed any motivation to get through a workout, workout with this woman just once.  She will “PPUUSSHH” you through it!  She brightens the gym with her smile and her positive attitude and is always ready to cheer on her colleagues.  And for those of you that don’t know … because she doesn’t actually tell anyone … she has lost 90 pounds in the last year through perseverance and hard work.   How much does she love what she does in the gym?  We’ll let the answers below speak for themselves.  Keep up the great work Shannon!

Favorite skill:
• Bear Complex – not sure if this counts as a skill but the sensation of moving weight in that way is cool and feels very complete. It requires really good form and concentration, as well as a sense of pace to remain consistent – I like the strategy of how that forces to me to think and control my movements while being so physically demanding.
• Running – if Bear Complex doesn’t count, I like running. Never thought I would say that given my previous aversion to it, but without weeks of intentional training, I ran several miles with Tareyece in the Chicago Marathon. I was stunned that I could run that far without dying (literally)…and have run two races since. Feel like it is another example of how CFTC makes you a better well-rounded athlete in ways you could never expect.

Most improved skill:
• Pull ups – as the quintessential green band anti-kip, uncoordinated girl – I was not a fan of the pull up. But with constant tough love, cues and kicks in the you-know-where from the coaches and my friends, I got my first un-banded pull up. I am not saying it was pretty or that I am awesome at them, but I am a long way from that green band.

Favorite WOD:
• Fight Gone Bad – I like the multiple movements and the timing – it pushes you to give it your all but also challenges you to remain consistent throughout. I am also a fan of Cindy because they are such simple, functional movements that can still totally kick your butt.

Least favorite WOD:
• Nutz – this workout it just mean, I don’t know why someone would come up with it beyond not being hugged enough as a child. I have only done it once, when someone called an audible at an eleven o’clock Friday class…I have not gone back to that class since.

Favorite lift:
• Deadlift – it is the movement that gave me the most confidence in the beginning because it feels really natural to me and gives me a sense of power. I continue to surprise myself and would love to lift double my body weight in 2011 (what – isn’t that everyone’s resolution?).

Least favorite lift:
• Snatch – more likely to be titled my best opportunity to improve lift, the snatch is the opposite of the deadlift, I struggle to get comfortable and find my technique/timing/explosion. It is a place I need to continue to challenge myself to get better and to become more comfortable being uncomfortable.

Primary motivation in doing CF:
• Originally it was to lose weight, which I have done to the tune of over 90lbs…but this year it became more for me as it has helped me get through some tough personal times. The intensity I bring as an individual to the workout, the direction/feedback I get from the amazing coaches and the love I feel from my friends has kept me sane, grounded and humble. I could not be more grateful.

Definition of success:
• I am never satisfied…so the ungettable get – the next thing you thought you couldn’t do but did and surprised yourself, the moment you decided you were going to make it happen and the journey to get yourself to your best possible version of yourself. And if you’re really, really lucky, you’ll laugh more than you cry and do it all with people you love.

Long term goal for CrossFit, or outside of CrossFit:
• Crossfit: To master the movements and workouts that I am the worst at and maybe someday to coach, but I still have a lot to learn.

Three words that describe how you feel during/after a WOD:
• During: Focused, determined, angry
• After: Sweaty, spent, appreciative

Favorite outcome of participating in CF (gaining friendships, strength, muscle, etc.?):
• The people are the best outcome…this program attracts a diverse range of individuals but we all have this fire and drive in us to get better, faster, stronger. At the same time, we want that for the person standing next to us…despite being so competitive. I learn from each and every Crossfitter – I want to be as good as them in something and each and every one of them can hear me coming, so they go harder. That is an amazing foundation for friendship and the caliber of people I have met at CrossFit Tri-Cities is unparalleled. It is the single biggest and best surprise from this entire experience and I can’t say enough what my CF friends and coaches mean to me.