Wow! What an inspiration we have this month! Johanna Gordon joined CrossFit Salus a few years ago and then life threw her a major curve ball. Cancer. On top of overcoming the side effects of her treatments and being an amazing mother, Johanna has remained positive through it all. Did we mention this girl is STRONG– both inner strength and physical strength! Not only is she a cancer survivor with laser-like focus on living her best life, but she can pull her own body weight on the pull-up bar!

She’s a total rockstar and an inspiration to everyone in the Salus community. We are so proud of this strong, positive, confident, and bad-ass athlete. And, we are honored that she has called CrossFit Salus her home for over 3 years now. MEET JOHANNA GORDON…

My next door neighbor Melissa Regina introduced me to Cat Galli, with whom I clicked immediately. They both got me interested in coming, especially after I saw how fit and strong and awesome they were. It made me want to go to CrossFit,

I am quicker and more powerful on my trail runs.

My performance as a singer is stronger and has more stamina.

Yes! How about pull-ups? How about push ups?!

I don’t even think I ever really attempted a true squat before CrossFit. After cancer treatment, CrossFit is helping me push past my mental and physical atrophy.

More muscle, less fat, more energy, more mobility!

Pre-cancer CrossFit, at 42, my body had never been more fit.

Now, at 44, and having battled cancer all year, I am enjoying the mental achievements.

Like being less apt to hesitate.

It is a community of like-minded beings who share knowledge, energy and love which results in bringing the group to a higher place mentally and physically.

I have met the most passionate, brave, goal-oriented people there. They are my lost family members. I’m so glad I have found them!

Snatch and strict Pull-Ups. I very much dig OLY. It feels the most like art.

Listen to your body!

I want to do 6 strict Pull-Ups. Right now I’m at one and a half and they ain’t pretty. 2 years ago I got six, so I know it’s achievable.

Start with 20 minutes of Mobility work, then do a 15 minute WOD that involves running and strict Pull-Ups. The rest of the time we are learning something new that is not only going to help me at CrossFit, but in my daily life. During mobility training we do a couple minutes of silent meditation/visualization practice. i.e.

Also, music is very important, I want to hear something inspiring, something that speaks to our ethos. I would play “The Youth” by by MGMT, “Today” by Smashing Pumkins and “Runnin Down a Dream” by Tom Petty.

Something hard.

Lately I am digging tons of vegetables in a stir fry with curry and shrimp.

I heart raisin bran – sometimes I just go for it (the organic kind with grass fed milk).

Guys, I just want to be Thom Yorke from Radiohead.

These are words that came to me recently, though I don’t think I’m the first to say them.

I haven’t watched, read or heard the “news” in a couple of years. I used to be an NPR enthusiast, now I take that time and use it to create.

The best we can do is to inspire our communities, families and friends to live a truthful, meaningful life by doing that ourselves.

This month we will be doing a fundraiser WOD, in honor of Johanna and all warriors who have fought through the battle of breast cancer. On Tuesday, October 16 we will be doing Grace (30 clean and jerks for time) in all CrossFit classes.  In addition, we will also be doing  “Kilos for a Cure” fundraiser challenge (1 Squat Clean + 2 Push Press) in our weightlifting class.

Please choose to donate to breastintentions.org , a crisis intervention charity that directly helped Johanna in her time of need.

DONATE HERE >>

The post Athlete of the Month: Cancer Survivor, Johanna Gordon appeared first on Salus.