Leigh February Athlete of the Month

At CrossFit Salus, we love celebrating the dedication and progress of our athletes, and this month, we're excited to highlight Leigh as our Athlete of the Month for February!

Since joining Salus, Leigh has not only gained muscle but has also experienced a life-changing improvement in her breathing. Having battled severe asthma since birth, she spent much of her early life feeling limited by it. Now, she can complete workouts without needing her inhaler, a milestone she never thought possible. Even her doctor has noticed the difference, with improved breathing test numbers proving just how much stronger and healthier she has become.



Leigh embodies what it means to show up, put in the work, and trust the process. She takes coaching cues with an open mind, stays patient, and consistently pushes herself to improve. Her journey at Salus has been one of impressive growth, and her presence in the community is something we all appreciate.

But don’t just take our word for it—here’s what our coaches have to say about Leigh:

🗣 Coach Gino: "Leigh always responds to cues with an ‘OK, I will give it a try,’ and she will ask for feedback. She is patient and stays focused on being consistent. It's a pleasure seeing her progress over time, and I always appreciate that she laughs at my dad/coach jokes!"

🗣 Coach Melissa:  "I don’t get to coach Leigh that often, but as a fellow community member, I love having her in class. She is consistently showing up, and her improvement over the last year has been impressive!"

🗣 Coach Marc:  "Leigh is always ever-focused in her efforts, and it shows in her continued improvement in so many areas of her workouts—especially her ability to get below parallel more consistently. She is definitely the glue on Friday nights at the box too. A pleasure to be around, and of course, she has the coolest hair (colors)!"

🗣 Coach Scott: "I haven’t coached Leigh in a while, but I have seen much improvement in so many areas, especially all of her squat movements. I’ve seen her confidence grow as she accepts cues gracefully… and yes, Marc, a pleasure to be around and real cool hair!"

It’s clear that Leigh is not only crushing it in the gym but also inspiring those around her with her positive attitude and determination. Now, let’s dive into her journey in her own words.

Meet Leigh: Her Journey at Salus

When and why did you start at Salus?

I started Salus in June 2023. My previous gym went through a "rebranding," and the prices got too high for too little service. Brianna was the first in our group to recommend Salus, and I trust her!

How has your performance changed since you started at Salus?

My performance has changed in two big ways. First, my strength—I had never worked with barbells before, and now I see my numbers steadily going up each month! Second, my lung capacity—when I first started, I could barely get through a WOD, but now I can keep going.

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

Overhead squats, push presses, and snatches. I had never done them before, but now I feel my form improving and have the confidence to tackle them.

How has your body physically changed since you started?

I definitely have more muscle than before, but more importantly, I can breathe better. I’ve had severe asthma since birth, and I was sick much of my early life. Being able to complete a workout without stopping for my inhaler is huge for me. Even my doctor has noticed an improvement—my breathing test numbers are better!

How has Salus changed you in other ways?

Besides the incredible impact on my asthma, Salus helps with my stress management. For that hour, I can’t think about anything else—it gives me a much-needed break from overthinking.

How do you describe Salus to your friends?

I tell them it’s crazy but the most fun! It’s tough, but everyone is so supportive and encouraging that I keep coming back. If I can do it, so can they!

What keeps you motivated to continue? What's your "why"?

As a kid, I couldn’t do anything athletic because of my asthma. Now, I’m finally doing things I never thought I could. I never want to go back to being unable to work out. The Salus community keeps me pushing forward.

Favorite lift or WOD?

I love deadlifts and bench presses!

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

Just show up! Be patient and focus on yourself—it takes time, but it’s worth it.

What is your next goal to accomplish?

A strict pull-up!

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

Deadlifts, jump rope, and Devil’s presses.

Favorite thing to do for fun?

I love hiking and anything creative—knitting, sewing, drawing, you name it!

Favorite healthy dish.... and favorite "splurge" meal?

Healthy: Sushi 🍣

Splurge: Fried chicken 🍗

If you could be a superhero, who would you be and why?

More of an antihero—I’d love to have Poison Ivy’s powers so I could fix and help the environment (just not the part where she makes people love her, lol).

Favorite motivational quote?

"The most effective way to do it, is to do it." – Amelia Earhart

Interesting fact not many people know about you?

I make stuffed animals for a living! I love creating things—knitting, sewing, drawing—you name it!

Check it out: Olli's Blankie LLC

https://www.ollisblankie.com