2011 August Athlete of The Month
Aug 18th, 201123 Comments
It’s been a little while since we had an Athlete of The Month. We’re going to start doing it again each month, this month we picked Emily Stuart. Emily has made huge gains since she first started. She’s gotten a lot stronger, and she’s leaned out. She’s able to knock out double unders, rope climbs, and pull ups.
The one characteristic I like most is her smile and positive energy she brings to the gym each day. You never know if she’s having a bad day or a good one. Because each day she comes in she’s smiling and laughing. She’s always supportive of those around her and pushes everyone. I’m glad you’re part of our family!
-Tom
Hi Everyone!
When Tom approached me about being athlete of the month I was extremely honored and nervous. I didn’t know what I would write or if I could even remember how to write a full sentence that didn’t have to do with a baby vomiting or a kid having an asthma attack. So I went home, thought about the amazing things Core crossfit has done for me, had a glass of wine (or 2), and then wrote this!
Growing up in Oklahoma, I was a high-level gymnast and loved it. But gymnastics was also very hard on my body. Three surgeries, a few broken bones, and more rips on my hands than I care to remember took a toll on me, so I “retired” when I was 16. When I moved to Missouri for college and medical school, I continued coaching and judging gymnastics. I worked out at our school’s rec center and did races here and there, but it was nothing like the competitive training of gymnastics. And the solitary nature of cranking out another 30 minutes on the treadmill with my headphones on was getting quite old. I missed having teammates. I missed having someone push me beyond what I wanted to do. Then, last June, I moved to Phoenix for my pediatric residency. I continued to go to the gym but was completely sick of the treadmill, elliptical, etc. A former gymnastics teammate of mine had been doing crossfit and convinced me to give it a try. So I nervously showed up for one of the free Saturday classes. I don’t remember what that first workout was, but I do remember waddling around for the next few days because I was so sore. And I loved that. Having a type-A personality, I also love the competitive nature of crossfit. Getting a PR always makes my day!
With my sometimes ridiculous work schedule, it took me awhile to become a regular at Core. And it didn’t help that I used to get sick to my stomach pulling into the parking lot each time I came. But the more I was able to make it to the gym, the more I wanted to be there. And now I’m addicted. I love challenging myself and getting stronger. I love (almost) all of the workouts. My favorites are any workouts with double-unders or handstands (or any workout that does NOT have thrusters). Some of my friends at work think I’m kind of nuts when I tell them about crossfit, but it has made a huge positive impact on my life. I’m in the best shape I’ve been in since quitting gymnastics. I have more confidence and energy. And I have met some amazing friends. I still get slightly nauseated sometimes right before a workout starts, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
All the coaches and athletes at Core have been so welcoming, friendly, and inspiring. I am motivated by all of you each and every day, and I really appreciate what all of you have done to help me grow! Thank you!!!
-Emily
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Congratulations Emily! This honor is well-deserved!! It has been wonderful getting to know you and seeing you develop as an athlete, you are an inspiration and such a positive person to have around! Congrats again and may your experience at Crossfit follow you forever :)
Congratulations Emily. You make me happy every time you walk through that door! Thanks for choosing our gym!
Iris - Great idea. I worked with Renee today. She is going to start posting recipies and other articles linked to nutrition in separate posts in the Nutrition section of the website. I will ask our "wonderful Web Master" about the best way for anyone to post a recipe to the Nutrition section.
Couldn't have picked a more deserving athlete myself. When I was new to Crossfit, Emily reached out and talked to me and made me feel like part of something great!
Congratulations Emily! Thanks for being a great athlete and having an even better attitude.
Grats! You deserve it! :)
Great write up!
Well played, Emily... I need to see these famed double unders and I too will likely cower at the far end of core!!!
Congrats Emily You rock and are a very motivating athlete and person to be sourround with, keep up the progress!
well deserved EMILY!!
Big Congrats to you!
congratulations emily! you are indeed a force to be reckoned with!!
You rock it girl. Your bright spirit shines out in so many ways. We are lucky to have you in our Core family and I bet your patients are even luckier. I heard a little whisper that someone is working on a triple under. I cannot wait to see that!
Congratulations Emily! You deserve it. It's always a pleasure working out with you.
Couldn't think of a better person than Emily. I actually go to the opposite side of the gym during workouts that involve DU's b/c her skills are not only impressive, but kind of intimidating. You deserve this Em, you're an awesome person and an amazing athlete.
Iris- there is a nutrition category-maybe we can start posting recipes in that section!
Awesome Emily!! You always have a smile on your face when you workout and your progress has been amazing to watch!!
Thanks, everyone! And Iris, I think I'm going to have to make those muffins soon - they sound delicious!!!! :)
Congrats Emily! It has been amazing to watch your progress and you have motivated me to work on my double unders. Maybe someday I'll be able to keep up with you! Keep up the hard work. I'm so glad you are a part of the Core family!
Congrats Emily!!!
I remember how fast you were able to pick up double under's. All I could think was "holy crap that girl is good". I know you are always good for a smile no matter how tired or bad your days was. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and congrats again.
-Iris, stop polluting Emily's post with your hippie Paleo recipes.
Emily, I look forward to watching you do double-unders. As a struggling "singler-with-a-few-doubles" here, they look like the "perfect" I'm aiming for. Congrats!!
Iris...keep sharing! Paleo + chocolate...how can that be bad?
Oops sorry Emily. I didn't mean to post a recipe on your athlete page. Thought I was putting it in the normal comments part.
Kim-
We should have a "recipes" tab on the web-site so we have an organized place to share good stuff!
Congratulations Emily! I feel truly blessed to be able to work out beside you every day. You are a beautiful lady inside and out and a BADASS ATHLETE!
Recipe for Paleo-ish Coconut Banana Chocolate Mufins
1 1/4 c. coconut flour
tsp. salt
tsp. baking powder
2 scoops chocolate protein powder
some unsweetened coconut shavings
dark chocolate chips (the higher % cacao the better)
tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
1/4 c. almond butter
8-10 oz. coconut milk (not light)
3 ripe sliced bananas
some honey if you like it sweeter
Mix dry stuff in 1 bowl and wet stuff in another. If you use honey, melt it in microwave first so it mixes more easily. Add dry to wet. Scoop into muffin pan and garnish with coconut flakes if you want to get fancy. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 for about 12 minutes. The trick is to NOT overcook them so they stay moist. Enjoy! I'm attempting paleo pineapple coconut cream pie this weekend, I'll let you know how it turns out!
Anyone who blows through flight simulator in ~14 mins smiling the entire time gets my vote for Athlete of the Month.
Great job Emily!
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Congratulations Emily!! This honor is well-deserved! It has been wonderful getting to know you and seeing you develop as an athlete, you are an inspiration and such a positive person to have around! Congrats again and may your experience at Crossfit follow you forever :)
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