Sunday, June 13, 2010 – Athlete Profile: Cari Anderson

Athlete Profile:  Cari Anderson

1.  In general, what is your background?

I grew in small town, southwest Georgia and graduated from The University of Georgia in 2003.  Lived on Folly Beach during my senior year while completing an internship and moved back to Charleston the day after graduating.  I live on James Island now and have made this place my home…I absolutely love it!

2.  Age, Occupation? 

30, design consultant for a builder.  Other skills & interests that I wish paid the bills include, but are not limited to:  pottery (think Ghost), tap dancing, general crafti-ness, live music, festivals, beach games, sunshine, cooking & relaxing.

3.  How did you get to know about CrossFit and why did you start?

Michael Anderson told Ryan Meng who told me…

I grew up in dancing classes and playing tennis but after high school I took on the mentality that all of that was behind me and college was my new activity.  While Iogically I knew that being active was better than being lazy, during college & the years after I somehow lost sight of that.

It all started in April of 2008 when 3 friends came to town for the bridge run…I dropped them off prior to the race so that they could run but I proceeded to party with them afterwards as if I deserved reward for being lazy.  I realized that my attitude would not gently usher me into my 30s, 40s, etc.  I began running and in October of 2008 I decided to get serious about my goals because going to Golds twice a week and ‘running’ on the treadmill while I caught the latest DVD release was not cutting it.  I started going to a trainer (East/West Health Arts, Bill Fagan) and he really got me on the right track…changed how I viewed exercise and diet.  I ran my first race that November and after some months, inches, and pounds were lost there I was bored again and that’s when I turned an ear to what CrossFit was all about.  Ryan talked about it and while most of our friends think he’s a little freakish when it comes to actually liking exercise, I was intrigued by the intensity he described because I knew that was what I lacked.  I went to the old gym on Belgrade in the middle of July, I was simultaneously excited & scared, I was intimidated by Evaline’s muscles and the weights racked on her bar, it was an inferno in there, steamy because of rain with a sweaty boys smell in the air and a puke bucket in the corner…somehow I still wanted to go back after it was all said & done.  One would wonder why anyone would want to relive that on a regular basis yet our friends now refer to CrossFit as Crosscult because we never stop trying to get them interested!  I am quite sure that eveyone at Integrity is a walking infomercial!

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

Exercise was a chore prior to CrossFit.  I have a better understanding of the balance I have to maintain in my diet, exercise, sleep & just taking care of myself in order to feel healthy, comfortable in my skin, and strong.  Essentially, I now realize that the same repetitive actions are never going to produce different results.

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

RX a WOD w/ pullups

6.  Favorite CrossFit moment so far?

3 or 4 months ago, I was in a 6:00 pm class with all regular attendees.  The WOD required pull-ups (not my shining moment) and just before the WOD started as everyone was in position to begin, Brian K yelled to the class while staring directly at me “If you’re not new to CrossFit, get off the bands!  We’ve got new people walking in the door everyday and the bands are meant for them!”.

Message received, loud & clear.

While I don’t think I could RX a workout w/ pull-ups, I am proud to say that I can now do pull-ups w/ no band.  CrossFit best?  No.  Personal achievement?  Yes.

7.  What do you like most about CrossFit Integrity?

The encouragement & accountability most definitely.  The results are icing!

8.  Favorite WOD?

I have the worst memory so I can’t remember what each named WOD consists of…but I like the tests of endurance.  Last week I liked Annie b/c of the cardio, it’s quick and I’m getting better at double unders so seeing improvement in that was a great feeling!

9.  Least favorite WOD?  Randy, no doubt…I hate snatches with a mighty passion.

That’s not an easy one to forget.

10. Favorite movement?

Deadlifts

11. Least favorite movement?

Snatches, box jumps

12. Favorite place to eat in Charleston?

This is where that balance thing I mentioned is hard…Lost Dog for breakfast, Mozzo for lunch, La Forchette, Rue de Jean, Ritas, Taco Boy, Hometeam …I could go on…too many good places!

CrossFit Integrity, Charleston, SC