Strong as a Mother. Lauren Bradshaw Athlete of the Month

Salus • January 13, 2022

Each month we bring you the stories of some amazing athletes in the Middletown, NJ area. Many of these athletes are moms! And this month we are featuring one of those strong moms.

Moms – on their own – are superhuman in their own right. CrossFit moms take it to a whole ‘nother level – they are willing to push past barriers, insecurities, and weaknesses, they bear it all out on the floor to show the rest of us that CrossFit moms are certainly STRONG AS A MOTHER.

Meet Lauren, new mother of Baby Bill. Lauren and her husband, Bill have been a part of the Salus family for many years as a drop-in but have been coming full time since 2020. Whether attacking Murph in the Sports Complex Parking lot, grinding through the cold winter days in the barn, or helping us move locations (preggers), she always arrives with a radiant smile, contagious laugh and inspirational grit. Lauren absolutely deserves to be featured.

Congratulations Lauren! Meet our January 2022 Athlete of the Month!

1. When and why did you start at Salus?

I started Salus originally as a drop in back in 2017 for holiday weekends (when I was still living in NYC) and then joined full time in 2020. I chose Salus because I loved the coaches’ focus on technique and individual attention that was able to be given in class. Also- the coaches and members always made me feel right at home, even though I was only there a few times a year.

2. How has your performance changed since you started at Salus?

My performance clearly had to be altered when I became pregnant last January however, it had enabled me to focus more on technique and safe movements, rather than hitting PR’s.

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

Before CrossFit, I don’t think I could even do 1 pull up. Now pull-ups are one of my best movements!

4. How has your body physically changed since you started?

When I started at Salus, I was in my best shape and then my body went through major changes becoming pregnant last January!

5. How has Salus changed you in other ways?

Being a part of Salus has helped me mentally get through my pregnancy and post-baby journey. It was very hard to go from being at your strongest, to training while pregnant and then building back even basic movements after my C-section.

I can’t say enough how much the support of the members and coaches at Salus have helped me in my journey.

From cheering me on with my huge belly to encouraging me to take it one step at a time post baby, the community has kept me motivated and mentally stronger.

6. How do you describe Salus to your friends?

Salus is a community that makes you feel welcome, encouraged, motivated and included, all while receiving top of the line coaching from the staff.

7. What keeps you motivated to continue?

My motivation comes from achieving goals. Even though the goals have shifted throughout the years, the motivation from achieving those goals makes me keep coming back. Nothing like the feeling of hitting a PR!!

8. Favorite lift or WOD?

My favorite lift is definitely the clean and jerk and my favorite WOD is the hero WOD “Bradshaw!”

9. What advice would you give to a newbie just joining Salus?

CrossFit can feel intimidating at first but give it at least a month of classes to see how you feel about joining. Once you start seeing the results and having fun in class, you won’t want to stop!

10. What is your next goal to accomplish?

My next goal is to hit my pre-pregnancy lifts!

11. If you could design your own WOD, what would it look like?

It would be something like;
20 min AMRAP:
250m row
9 Pull-ups
3 heavy clean and jerks

12. Favorite thing to do for fun?

Honestly, my favorite thing is CrossFit/working out with my husband. CrossFit is where we met so it is something that we always enjoy doing together!

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

My favorite healthy dish is grilled chicken and roasted broccoli…yummm!! There are so many splurge meals to choose from but I would have to say that pizza is my favorite!

14. If you could be a animal what would you be and why?

I would be a dog! Sounds cheesy, but I do enjoy putting a smile on people’s faces so I feel like as a dog I would be able to always do that! You can’t not smile at a happy dog wagging their tail at you!

15. Favorite motivational quote?

Years ago, one of my old bosses had said “Don’t think about how you can’t do something. Think about how you CAN do something” I always think of that saying because it changes my mindset going into tough situations or WOD’s.