Sunday, February 13, 2011 – Athlete Profile: Amy Woods
2011 February 13
Athlete Profile: Amy Woods
1. In general, what is your background?
So, Andrea has been here for like a month and she gets an athlete profile before me? I see how it is…she didn’t even compete in the Rx division at the Garage Games…I’m just saying… 
I grew up in Oklahoma City and went to undergrad at the University of Oklahoma where I was a huge nerd and studied Biochemistry and Microbiology. I take college football very seriously…unless you’re a Sooners fan, you do not want to be around me on Saturdays in the fall…just ask Scott Martin about how he almost lost his life one day when he innocently wore a Texas shirt to the gym. Bless his heart, he just didn’t know any better.
After college, I headed to Duke for grad school so I could be closer to Michael while he was doing his Navy crap up and down the east coast. Finally, our jobs took us to a wonderful little place called Seattle where I fell in love with mountains, water, and just being outside. We stayed there for several years and then some random events (ahem…Michael, I thought you were getting out of the Navy no matter what???) brought us to Charleston in 2009. I hated it at first…they didn’t even have a Trader Joe’s (the real one) or a Lululemon (yet)…but I quickly realized that I do love the beach and real summers, so I adjusted quickly.
2. Age, Occupation?
28, Physicians’ Assistant specialized in pathology
3. How did you get to know about CrossFit and why did you start?
I started taking a bootcamp class at our globo gym in late 2009/early 2010 and the instructor was a crossfitter…it didn’t take long to figure out that I wanted the real thing, so I looked up CrossFit in the area in March of 2010, came to class at CFI that Monday, and that was that.
4. How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
Where to even begin? I did not grow up playing sports or doing anything athletic besides beating up the neighborhood boys with my best friend. After one semester of grad school and like 20 extra pounds of weight that my grandmother happily pointed out when I came home for Christmas, I decided it was time to take control before things got worse. Even though I was already a sleep-deprived grad student, I figured I could give up one more hour of sleep to get up and run every morning…I could be a sleepy, fat grad student or a sleepy, fit grad student…so I started running with a hardcore runner friend of mine. It was humiliating at first but it got better and I started looking and feeling better.
When we moved to Seattle, EVERYONE is outdoors all the time and it’s just so freaking pretty, it was easy to keep up the running. In fact, a friend of mine and I decided in January of 2008 that we would train for and run a half-marathon that June…at the time it seemed like an impossible feat, but we stuck to it and did it with pretty darn good times too. Then we just kept signing up for various races and started doing yoga pretty intensely to balance out all the running.
That worked great for a while but when I moved to hot/humid Charleston, running just wasn’t as appealing as it used to be. I had to find something else, so I signed up for a bootcamp class at our gym…it was great…all of sudden I found these little things in my arms and legs called muscles and my running got better…but after a few sessions, I wanted more…and as I said before, the instructor was a crossfitter, so that got me pointed in the right direction.
Since starting CrossFit, I am in the best shape of my life…BY FAR. I keep finding new things every day that I would never have dreamed of being able to do. My running got better without having to run every day…I shock myself with how much I can deadlift, squat, put overhead, etc. I even got asked by my nail lady if I was a truckdriver. I kinda took pride in that a little bit.
5. Name one goal and/or personal record you would like to accomplish through CrossFit?
Well, since Beth doesn’t like to let me forget that she can do this and I can’t, and since Chris Pace threatened me…a muscle-up. I don’t know why I can’t get that stupid thing, but for this week, that is my goal. (Kevin, keep me honest on this one!)
6. Favorite CrossFit moment so far?
Top 3:
1. X’s & Y’s Competition – if you were there for that night in ATL, you know. RIDICULOUS.
2. Any night at the Phipps’ house (e.g. late-night WODS, failed cow-tipping, etc)
3. C&J’ing 155#…with everyone cheering me on…at a fundraiser with our whole CF community. Awesome atmosphere.
7. What do you like most about CrossFit Integrity?
Stupid question. Obviously the people.
8. Favorite WOD?
It’s sick of me, but 100 Curtis P’s…LOVE. IT.
9. Least favorite WOD?
Anything that I can’t beat all the other girls at…and most of the boys too…
One thing I have learned about myself since starting CrossFit is that I am sickly competitive…
10. Favorite movement?
Overhead squat, followed closely by pushups (but only in contest form)
11. Least favorite movement?
Rope climbs, toes to bar, knees to elbows, and any stupid thing the Garage folks come up with (clean and throw…REALLY?!?)
12. Favorite place to eat in Charleston?
Too many to name. I LOVE food…LOVE it.
CrossFit Integrity, Charleston, SC
21 Responses
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Hell Yeah Amy woods! Its about time. I know me and some other people were totally wondering who you were.
Well I’m definently not surprised you used to beat up the boys in your neighborhood,so great to see how far you’ve come to get to crossfit! I definently didn’t need an “Athlete Profile” to know that you’re an amazingly competitive and driven athlete!I think my favorite part about getting to know and workout with you(altho a short period of time)is how positive you are towards yourself and the athletes around you!Ya know,now not only are you beating up on the boys,but you’re beatin up on the females in crossfit too! Keep kicking butt!
great job lame-o Amos! just don’t beat me up like one of those neighborhood boys
one word…”AmyZing”
heh…most dudes are intimidated but i’m honored to know girls who are stronger that i am!
Integrity is making all y’all into machines!
Love the profile, girl! You are a great inspiration to many!! Keep up the good work and the positive energy!
Great job Amy!
Great profile Amy, way to kick ass yesterday (and everyday)!
Oh Scott, oh Scott.
AmyZing, I like it Anthony, and you got it AmyZing, this week, no matter how sore the bows get, transition work everyday. Great profile and honored to hove met and trained with you.
You were/are awesome!!!! Talk about an inspiration, you kicked ASS!!!
You kick ass Amy! Way to go yesterday.
#1 Your a monster
#2 I am intimidated
#3 Thank you for sparring me the embarrassment and running out of time on tying my 165# C+J on saturday
Looking forward to watching the agony that will come with your thousand airsquats on thursday
Just one thing…. You Are AWESOME!!!
Amy, I hope to be as strong as you when I grow up.
You are awesome Amy! Such an inspiration!
PFA!
Love the prof and love you too!
If threats are what it takes then so be it. Keep up the great work Amy!
Great profile and pic, Amy. You’re amazing at Crossfit and outside of the gym. Love your positive energy and motivation!
You are awesome!!!!
I am honored parties at our house make your top 3. I am soooo glad to decided to join Integrity (even if you kick my ass on a daily basis). Your positive energy helps keep me going!
Love ya Girlie
Great job Coach! Greater job scott! Hook ‘em Horns!
Amy, you are one of the main things I miss about Crossfit! Great profile and I hope to one day make it back and try to do half of what you can