Saturday, November 7, 2010 – Athlete Profile: Denise McKinney

Athlete Profile: Denise McKinney

 

1. In general, what is your background?

For the past 18 years I’ve been a wife to the most amazing man there is, mother to 3 beautiful children (Ryan-15, Joseph-12 & Julia-11) and all around slacker. Before that I was a retail manager for The Gap & Banana Republic (that was back when BR  had jeeps in the stores and the Gap sold Levis and had a “sock wall” behind the register with every color you could imagine…yeah I’m that old) I’ve moved more times than I can count, went to 4 high schools, I don’t have a hometown & had to marry a Marine to be able to live in one place longer than 2 years.  No, not military, just a dad who was in chemical sales (the legal kind, unless your Erin Brokovich).

2. Age, Occupation?

43, Kept Woman (by the most incredible sugar daddy there is), homemaker, domestic manager, homeschooling mom of 3…choose whatever makes you feel better about me sponging off my husband.  I have no issue with it, but find that many others do.  However, if you say to me, “You have the hardest job there is, staying at home with your kids,” I’ll probably slap you or kick you in the nuts. It’s a very patronizing statement…

3. Age, Occupation?

My husband kept harassing me about this gym he found. I was quite content with my elliptical machines & “chisel” classes at the YMCA.  Finally, after all these young girls started friending Jeff on facebook, I decided it was time to check things out. As he had no doubt, I was hooked from the first workout.  So Jeff went from the “creepy, sweaty, old, bald guy” at the gym to the “creepy, sweaty, old, bald guy with the creepy, sweaty, old wife” person at CFI.

4.  How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?

Wow, that’s a question that I could write forever on.  Reader’s Digest version:  I’ve never been athletic in my life. I ate whatever I wanted to, was always slightly overweight, but never worried much about it. Then I got married and started having children. My weight went up and up over many years. I did nothing about it. Then, 4 years ago I was about 2 biscuits shy of 300lbs. I finally decided to change things, went to Weight Watchers, started riding my bike everywhere, and even bought a trailer to haul groceries behind my bike from the store.  Eventually I started taking spin classes at the Y, did some training with running and took “chisel” classes.  It helped but I lost interest quickly, and knew that if I didn’t exercise I would gain weight quickly. So Jeff, my incredible husband convinced me to try CrossFit.  I was hooked from the beginning. I am still working on getting my eating and drinking habits under control, and if it weren’t for CrossFit I would be in deep trouble.  There were so many things I dreaded doing before, even as simple as carrying all our crap from the car to the beach. Now I don’t give it a second thought. I grab as much as I can and go.  I am also a lot more comfortable getting my picture taken.  I feel as if there is nothing I cannot conquer as long as I put my mind to it.  The gains I have made since I started CrossFit have surprised me. I’m stronger and have more endurance than I ever imagined.

5. Name one goal and/or personal record you would like to accomplish through CrossFit?

I would love to get my kipping pull-up more than just one every once in a while. I would also love to be able to stick to a consistent diet that would help with achieving the athletic gains I desire.  And honestly, if I could beat Evaline, Amy, Beth, Vanny, Mendy or Lynn (and all the other women at the gym) at anything I would be pleased

6.  Favorite CrossFit moment so far?

There are many, but finishing the Marine Corp 1/2 marathon with no training was such a testament to CrossFit.  I didn’t have any soreness or need for days of recovery after.  In fact, 3 days later I ran the mile for the end of the paleo challenge and got a PR by almost a minute. During the time leading up to it, friends that were avid runners kept telling me I needed to be putting in an ungodly amount of miles each week. I only ran 6-8 miles once a week, and was at CFI 4-5 days a week.  It was near the end of the paleo challenge, and I was feeling great. My pace for the 1/2 marathon was only a minute longer per mile than my fastest 5k.  I finished 20 minutes faster than my “best case scenario” goal.  It was a memorable time.

7.  What do you like most about CrossFit Integrity?

That there are no paper towels in the bathroom to dry my hands.  It brings me back to my childhood when my mom would yell, “Use a towel, not your shirt!!” I feel as if I’m rebelling against authority.  I’ve always been a rebel at heart.  And of course the other athletes that are constantly encouraging you and the coaches that push you to do things you never thought you could.

8.  Favorite WOD?

Row 500m…it’s the only place I’ve got the #1 spot, and that’s because Mendy, Amy & Vanny weren’t at the gym yet…can we go at least a couple more months before we do that again? I’d love to savor it a little longer.  2nd favorite is Murph. Yep, I said it. I love those WODs that are long and also require you to strategize how you are going to get through it. It’s not always about brute strength, sometimes you got to use that muscle that hides behind your skull.

9.  Least favorite WOD?

Anything with front squat & thrusters (because I suck at front squats), and of course pullups, so by default it would have to be Fran.

10. Favorite movement?

Overhead squat…I know it’s weird, but my front squat is so terrible because I lean forward. The OHS helps me with my form and makes me believe that one day I will improve my squat form.

11.  Least favorite movement?

Duh…front squat

12. Favorite place to eat in Charleston?

My house.  It’s cheaper, I can control the ingredients, there’s always libations available and I don’t have to worry about if I’m sober enough to drive.  I love to cook and paleo/zone eating has challenged me to get even more creative than I already am.  If pressed I have to say Dukes in Walterboro, because I don’t deep fry anything and they deep fry everything and it’s a buffet. Former fat girls always love to fall off the wagon at buffets.  And it’s far enough away that it’s not a danger to me.

CrossFit Integrity, Charleston, SC