Athlete of the Month: Melissa Harary

Salus • September 9, 2017

Melissa Harary Athlete of the Month September 2017

We’re excited to announce Melissa Harary as our next Athlete of the Month. For the past two years, she has embraced the Salus Mantra of “becoming the best version of yourself” as she has consistently pursued her goals and continues to improve tremendously each and every day!

1. When and why did you start CrossFit?

I officially started CrossFit almost 2 years ago after trying it a few days a week mixed with my old gym. I had experienced a lot of the things we do in the classes already, but Salus had so much more that I wanted to be exposed to and learn.

I love the fact that classes are intimate, instructional and geared towards each individual’s health, personal improvement & performance.

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2. How has your performance changed since you started CrossFit?

I am definitely stronger and I surprise myself when I am intimidated by an RX workout, but do it anyway & succeed. I certainly couldn’t do a lot of them when I first started.

It’s a very empowering experience!

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3. Are there exercises you can do now that you couldn’t do before?

I’m stronger when it comes to Olympic weightlifting. I can do more handstand push ups, pull ups, chest to bar, toes to bar and I even got a few bar muscle ups! I couldn’t complete Glen Hero WOD a year ago & now I can! I even beat my Murph time one year later by 4 minutes.
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4. How has your body physically changed since you started?

I am more defined everywhere. I even have noticeable muscles in my torso that I really didn’t have before.
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5. How has CrossFit changed you in other ways?

I am mentally stronger and more confident in many areas of my life that I wasn’t before. I have overcome many obstacles that have been placed in my way due to the same attitude I have when I’m performing in the box.

It has taught me to put fear aside & just tackle the task even if you stumble.

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6. How do you describe CrossFit to your friends?

I tell them it’s the most challenging and inspiring place I’ve ever been apart of. You will get stronger and you will learn to do things you didn’t even think possible of yourself. I would tell them not to be intimidated by what they see and only focus on where their abilities are when they decide to walk in the door.

You will be amazed at what you can do when you start the journey of CrossFit.

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7. What keeps you motivated to continue?

I love to push myself and see what I’m capable of. There is so much more for me to learn and accomplish. I always get a nervous rush of adrenaline when I’m about to start a metcon. I want to continue getting stronger and better at so many things, it’s really endless.
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8. Favorite lift or workout?

It’s probably easier to list what I don’t like rather than i do! Haha! If I had to pick, I’d say any Hero or the girls WOD and I like deadlifts.
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9. What advice would you give to a newbie just joining CrossFit Salus?

Try not be intimated.

Every single person here has walked through these doors feeling uneasy at some point.

Stick with it and you’ll love the changes that will start happening to you both physically and mentally.
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10. What is your next goal to accomplish?

Again, too many to list, but my main reason for wanting to do CrossFit was to learn a ring muscle up. I have yet to do one on my own, but this is my year to achieve one. ?
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11. If you could design your own WOD, what would it look like?

I love partner WOD’s so it would look something like this:
Teams of 3
100 weighted sit-ups
100 deadlifts #155 for ladies
100 burpees (yes, I said burpees)
100 squat cleans #95 for ladies
100 toes to bar
100 box jumps
100 push press #95
100 pull ups
100 handstand push ups
300 double unders
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12. Favorite thing to do for fun?

Family & romantic vacations, go out to dinner with good friends, entertaining at home with my superstar hubby at the helm, & going on thrill rides with my son at amusement parks.

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13. Favorite healthy dish….and favorite “cheat” meal?

Okay, I’m a foodie so this is tough..if I had to pick one healthy dish, it would be cod with crushed nuts baked with a side of small chopped cherry tomatoes, avocado, cantaloupe, kiwi, & basil mixed with lime juice.
Cheat meal would be dinner in NYC at Jungsik finished with a stop at Deninos in the village. (Portions are small ?)
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14. If you could be a superhero/animal/superstar who/what would you be and why?

I was just telling my kids in the car the other day that when I was a kid, I watched the cartoon, Popeye , and ate spinach everyday thinking I would get super strong and have Popeye’s arms. ??
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