Gina Brownfeld: Athlete of the Month November 2021

Over the years, we’ve witnessed Gina gain strength to not only handle more weight in the workouts, but also in her confidence. Whether that’s strength to get upside down in a handstand or strength to be an active grandma, her determination to make some serious changes has paid off! In addition, she’s won multiple nutrition challenges and has lost 30 pounds in the process (scroll down to see her transformation!)

Congratulations to Gina, our November 2021 Athlete of the Month! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful journey with us. You have worked so hard to get where you are today and should be proud. We are sure proud of you!!

1. When and why did you start at Salus?

I joined in July 2017 because I wanted to make changes in my body.

But, it was also because of listening to Scott and Meg talking about the WODs every night at dinner!

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

I have gotten stronger and fine-tuned some movements, but I have a long way to go.

Getting stronger from CrossFit has helped my yoga practice. I can get deeper into postures and hold them longer.

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

I can finally do a few dubs. It took forever but I can sometimes string 4-5 together.

My biggest accomplishment is getting handstand push ups, with a riser but still big for me. When I started I was afraid to even go upside down.

Next are pull ups!!!

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

I have lost 30 pounds and gained muscle.

5. How has Salus changed you in other ways?

I have always been an all or nothing kind of person, which was challenging when it came to nutrition. Doing the WODs and working with Angela on nutrition has brought so much balance into my life.

I have a healthy relationship with food as fuel now, and I sleep better.

When I am doing CrossFit I can’t think of anything else which helps tremendously with my stress level.

6. How do you describe Salus to your friends?

I explain it as an hour a day to work really hard surrounded by friends who are cheering so hard for you.

 And as a side note you get into really good shape.

7. What keeps you motivated to continue? What’s your “why”?

It’s my sanity! Spending time with great friends that feel like family and staying strong as I age.

I am a grandma and I’m stronger than I ever have been in my life thanks to Salus!

8. Favorite lift or WOD?

I love overhead squats. I also love the ski erg, and bear crawls since I beat Scott doing them last time! I don’t get to be faster than anyone very often.

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

Give it a chance, be patient.

Modify when you need to.

You have a room full of people pulling for you!

10. What is your next goal to accomplish?

Pull ups!!!

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

21, 15, 9
Calories on ski erg
OHS
Strict sit ups

12. Favorite thing to do for fun?

Spend time with all our kids and grandson!

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

Favorite healthy dish would be salmon with everything seasoning, steamed sweet potato and roasted broccoli.
Splurge would be Brooklyn focaccia pizza!

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

I would say a hummingbird, the way they flutter their wings so quickly back and forth keeps them in one place in the present moment, an area I’m working on in my life!

via GIPHY

15. Favorite motivational quote?

May your day be full of magic and may you not be too busy to see it.

16. Interesting fact not many people know about you.

I am a 500 hour yoga teacher and a Reiki Master Teacher🙏🏼

Gina Transformation

❝I began working with Angela because I wanted to lose weight and get toned. ɪ ɢᴏᴛ ꜱᴏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ᴍᴏʀᴇ. I have learned that food is fuel to nourish my body. I’ve learned how to bring balance into my body by balancing macros, which then brought balance into so many other areas of my life. ❞
❝One of the biggest lessons I learned is that I cannot be perfect all the time, when I decide to splurge a bit it doesn’t have to mean a downward spiral. I can decide not to feel guilt and just get back on track with my next meal. Angela has always been available to help me navigate my nutrition and my workouts and so much more. 𝘐𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘐 𝘨𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧.❞

Kaitlyn Mare Athlete of the Month October 2021

Kaitlyn Mare Athlete of the Month

In just under a year Kaitlyn has made some serious strides on the platform and in the kitchen. Through CrossFit, Barbell club and Nutrition Coaching, Kaitlyn has not only gotten stronger, but has transformed her mind and body along the way.

Congratulations to Kaitlyn, our October 2021 Athlete of the Month!

1. When and why did you start at Salus?

I started in January 2021. I had always had an interest in CrossFit, but in December 2020 I started a new job and moved to the area. I thought CrossFit would be the perfect opportunity to meet new people as well as exercise and challenge myself.

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

I am able to do exercises that I wasn’t able to in the beginning. I also run half marathons and I have seen a significant change in my pace.

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

When I first started I couldn’t even hold on to the bar for more than a few seconds, now I can do assisted pull-ups and my goal is one day to do an unassisted pull-up.

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

I have seen a significant drop in body fat and I’m starting to see some baby biceps show.

5. How has Salus changed you in other ways?

I have a different and more positive mindset. CrossFit has taught me that there are no limits.

I am also able to focus better at work and I’m able to sleep better at night.

I have much more confidence overall.

6. How do you describe Salus to your friends?

The best hour of my day – it’s my time to think about nothing but challenging myself, but also getting to spend time with inspirational people (and laugh at the crazy things Gino says at 6am).

7. What keeps you motivated to continue? What’s your “why”?

I continue to be motivated by seeing the changes in my body as well as the shift in my mindset.

The cheers from fellow CrossFitters and coaches are also a great motivation.

8. Favorite lift or WOD?

Squat cleans

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

Just try! You never know how strong you are and how much you can do until you try.

Kaitlyn Mare Weightlifting NJ

10. What is your next goal to accomplish?

An unassisted pull-up is my long term goal, but I would like to RX as many WODs as I can.

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

600m run
21 cleans
21 sit ups
21 pull ups
400m run
15 cleans
15 sit ups
15 pull ups
200m run
9 cleans
9 sit ups
9 pull ups

Running, cleans, and situps are my favorite exercises, but I have to include pull ups since they are difficult for me.

12. Favorite thing to do for fun?

Other than CrossFit or exercising, my favorite thing to do is take my dog for walks on the beach or read.

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

My favorite healthy dish is anything that involves salmon or some sort of seafood.

My favorite splurge meal would be pizza from my favorite pizza shop.

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

I would be an octopus; I think they are fascinating. They are extremely intelligent and highly adaptive.

15. Favorite motivational quote?

“Only you can stop you.”

It’s more than just exercising or CrossFit, it’s the mindset that nothing is impossible.

16. Interesting fact not many people know about you.

I love all things steampunk!