BTSCF Newsletter - December 2020
We made it to the end of 2020. It’s been a roller coaster of a year, but with a little grit we can say goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021. Before we put the year in the rear view, let’s highlight the journey we went on.
We started the year focusing on fitness goals. Some of us were looking at faster benchmarks, some new barbell PR’s. Others were looking to accomplish a new movement, or simply to be consistent and show up at the gym.
It wasn’t long into the year that the goals shifted as the cloud of a global pandemic set in. Ultimately we were all sent home to slow the spread, but that didn’t stop us. We adapted and overcame. We had Facebook Live Videos, Zoom Happy Hours, Zoom Classes, and ultimately we started getting together to workout at the track.
Our latest shirts were the product of a design contest.
Murph was different, just like everything else.
Summer came and we started to see a sense of a new normalcy. The gym was allowed to open again, classes could be resumed first outside, then inside.
We saw some of our usual special WODs, Glen, Tillman and Always Remembered. We had a fundraiser and then Halloween and a Trunk or Treat came and went. The Deck made its appearance on Thanksgiving.
Then December came with new restrictions. But we will come back to that.
We’d be a bit remiss if we didn’t touch on what the coaching staff was up to this year. Addy apparently thinks he’s a movie star spending so much time on film. Alex shaved his beard. Frank came aboard and hasn’t walked the plank, but Morgan did walk down the aisle. Jon T is probably still doing step ups in his living room. Mike is playing almost better workout music. Connor’s music is still pretty bad. Paulie continues to be mad about well, everything. Heather apparently doesn’t sweat. Jon H is head banging through double-unders (seriously watch his head next time). Erin saved the lives of 347 dogs. Walt is still pacing his way through a workout from June and Lindsay is doing all she can to make sure her face masks match her headbands.
Through it all though, the thing we are most satisfied with has been that our athletes have trusted us to help them on their fitness journeys. It’s been our pleasure to work with each of them and see their progress. Our athletes are what makes it all worthwhile and we love our fitness family that keeps growing. Have we gotten too mushy? Ok, so let’s circle back to December....
More COVID Restrictions
December 2020 was met with new restrictions that prohibited indoor gym operations. So what were we to do? Workout outside of course. Rain, snow, and freezing temperatures didn’t stop our athletes from showing up and hitting their workouts hard.
The dedication shown by our athletes to close out the year in conditions that are not the most ideal is truly inspiring.
600 Calories on the Echo Bike
What happens when you want to do something good and help out a local food pantry? You ask your members to donate and tell them that their coaches will get on the Echo Bike and do one calorie for each item donated. It turns out our members are either very generous or very sadistic. They delivered on their part of the deal, donating 600 food items to benefit the Holy Trinity Food Pantry in Dingmans Ferry.
On December 22 at 6 am our members were able to wake up to a Facebook Live video of their coaches on the Echo Bike…for over an hour. Helping us to keep the video fun was member and guest MC, Melissa N. She kept the tunes going while providing her own unique style of commentary.
Coach’s Picks
This month we checked in with Jon H to hear about his podium of dream cars. Here’s what he had to say:
Spirit of the Games: The Jeep Wrangler. I know many people who have owned or do own these throughout the years and no car or truck has been more fun to customize and ride around with the top down and doors off. I’ve always wanted one.
Dark Horse: I have to thank Tommy Marquez for this one, but a custom Mercedes Benz Sprinter to go off the grid with built in living quarters and storage to take on small getaways.
The Podium
3rd Place: John Wick’s blacked out Dodge Charger with that wide body kit. I mean, just how bad*** is that car?
2nd Place: Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Edition. Now some of you who have known me a while know that I’ve owned a Mini before but not like this. One time, I had the luxury of driving this racetrack ready matchbox car as a loaner when I brought mine in for service. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since then.
1st Place: I’m just going to call this “old school exotics from the 1990’s.” The Lamborghini Diablo. The Ferrari Testarossa. The Dodge Viper. All of the posters I had on my wall as a kid which were probably the inspiration for love of fast cars with nice lines and sleek curves. I’d honestly probably be afraid to drive one and mess it up, but maybe, just maybe I’d take it for a spin around the track.
BTSCF Feature Athlete
Meet Valerie Hoehmann
When did you start CrossFitting?
July 2020
What brought you to CrossFit?
To lose weight/tone and a gym like Planet Fitness is not for me. I am the type of person that needs someone to tell me what to do and how to do it. I am glad I made this decision.
What have you learned from doing CrossFit?
That I my body is so much more capable of so much more. That I CAN do things that I never thought I could.
What would you say to someone who is on the fence about starting CrossFit?
To just do it! After each workout, you have this great feeling of accomplishment. It's totally worth it. The coaches are amazing at coaching you, and they give you that extra push to do better.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Spend time with family.
What do you do for work and how has CrossFit impacted how you do your job?
I am a stay at home mom of a very curious 2 year old boy, and CrossFit helps me stay active and will help me be able to chase after him much easier because he will be into everything.
We asked Valerie some rapid fire questions, here’s what she had to say:
Q: What super power would you give yourself?
A: Power of healing.
Q: What's your favorite healthy food?
A: Salads, I love my vegetables.
Q: What's your favorite not so healthy food?
A: Fried pickles with ranch dressing.
Q: What TV Sitcom family or group would you be a member of?
A: The Office
Q: If you were famous, what would you be famous for?
A: Falling or hurting myself
Q: If you could write your own fortune cookie fortune, what would it say?
A: Make your own happiness. Lucky numbers 33, 40, 7, 25, 4, 28
Q: If you were a professional wrestler, what would you finishing move be called?
A: I have no idea, I know nothing about wrestling.
Q: Who do you look up to for inspiration at BTSCF?
A: If I have to choose someone, it would be Jess, she has such determination. She is also such a great cheerleader/motivator.
Also, the 6:45 coaches are phenomenal. Even though Jon and Walt, like to yell at me and make me get lower on my squats or try a heavier weight, or to push myself harder on that darn bike (I have cursed them out many times in my head), but without them I would stick to what I am comfortable with.
Q: What is your favorite and least favorite movement?
A: Jump roping....I throw toddler fits because I constantly get tangled.
Q: What is the one thing you've done at BTSCF that your old self wouldn't ever believe?
A: Anything with a barbell.
As We Say Goodbye to they year 2020, we have a lot of great memories to look back on. The accomplishments may not be those which we set out to conquer, yet we conquered them nonetheless. Moving into 2021 let us continue to work every day to become the best versions of ourselves. It doesn’t matter what the world throws at us, we can adapt and overcome with focus and determination. Cheers 2020, Hello 2021 and all of the great things to come….