BTSCF Newsletter - June 2021
“Sometimes the hurdles aren’t really hurdles at all. They’re welcome challenges, tests.”
- Paul Walker
This about sums up June at Burn the Ships CrossFit. We lean into challenges to see where we come out of them on the other side. This is where we find out what we are truly capable of. Take a look at what happened this month at BTSCF and what’s coming around the corner.
In Case You Missed It…
Part 1 of the series “Defining Fitness” hit the blog earlier this month. This is a collection of articles and information from the CrossFit Journal which is designed to help bring a new level of understanding to why we do what we do in the gym.
We launched a new meal service partnership with Katery to Go.
Erin dove into the topic of a Plant-Based Nutrition Plan and her experience making the transition.
24 Heroes in 24 Hours
BTSCF Athletes after completing the 24th and final Hero WOD, “Tommy V.”
Hero Workouts are challenging. Not only do they represent the strength and tenacity of those who they are dedicated to, but they carry the added weight of emotion and meaning, memorializing those who have sacrificed, sustaining significant injuries or dying in the line of duty.
The stress, struggle, and pain felt while attempting one is only a temporary reminder of the permanent scars left on the friends and families of these heroes.
To complete one Hero Workout is an accomplishment. To complete multiple Hero Workouts is a feat. To complete 24 Hero Workouts in a 24 hour period is a test of grit and mental toughness.
We would like to congratulate Marielle C., Mike S., Walter A. and Bonnie H. for grinding through 24 hours of Hero Workouts completing all of them.
Thank you to all of the athletes who came out to support our fundraising effort. Some volunteered to help with equipment. Some did one workout. Some did more than one. Together we raised $2,260 for the Navy SEAL Foundation.
Most importantly, we would like to thank all of our heroes and their families, friends, and loved ones that have sacrificed and given their lives in service to our country, including the 24 Heroes we honored during our event:
Glen Doherty
William Blake Marston
Patrick D. Feeks
Jon “JT” Thomas TuMileson
Michael Patrick Murphy
Joshua Thomas Harris
John Weston Faas
Nate Hardy
Collin Trent Thomas
Kevin Houston
Thomas J. Valentine
Ryan Job
Jeff Taylor
David Blake McLendon
Adam Lee Brown
Nicholas Spehar
Kevin Ebbert
Jason Dale Lewis
Michael McGreevy
Taylor Gallant
Mark Carter
Brian R. Bill
Danny Dietz
Michael J. Strange
A New Cycle Is Coming
As our Silverback Barbell Club Cycle is coming to a close, we are excited to announce our next specialty program. Beginning on July 13th, we will be starting our BTSCF Engine Building Cycle. This program will consist of 3 sessions per week for 12 Weeks. The first week will focus on setting a baseline for each athlete’s running and rowing ability. Over the course of the next 10 weeks, each athlete will learn more about running and rowing. Drills will be offered to improve technique and mechanics with workouts that are customized for each athlete throughout the entire program. The program will end in Week 12 with a Running and Rowing test out.
If you’re interested in this program, you can sign up in WheelPay. Simply select “Shop" then “Training” and select the program to sign up. If you have any questions please reach out to any BTSCF Staff Member for help or more details. An informational meeting will be held on Saturday, July 10 at 11am.
BTSCF Feature Athlete
Meet Liliana Hendrix
When did you start CrossFitting?
I started CrossFitting for the first time at BTSCF on June 4th, 2019, with the one-on-one introduction class with Mike. I did my first regular CrossFit workout on June 6th, 2019, where I did a team workout with Jo, David, and Cathy. I stayed at BTSCF for the rest of the summer until I went back to college and came back to the gym during my 2019 winter break. I am almost going to be at the gym for an entire consecutive year because I came back on August 17th, 2020.
What brought you to CrossFit?
Since kindergarten until my senior year of high school, I had been a cheerleader. After graduating from high school, I gave up cheerleading and became a student at Carnegie Mellon University. My college is not very athletic, and I quickly started to miss working out. During the summer after my freshman year of college, I was telling my dad how I felt really out-of-shape. He recommended that I try CrossFit because my brother used to do it. After my introduction class, I instantly fell in love with CrossFit.
What have you learned from doing CrossFit?
I learned that I have an amazing community to support me and to encourage me to achieve my goals. I learned to believe in myself which has helped to develop my sense of confidence. I also learned how to lift weights which is really cool. :)
What would you say to someone who is on the fence about starting CrossFit?
I would tell them that it is my favorite thing in the world and that they should try it! One of the things I love about CrossFit is how the workouts can be modified for people of all ages, sizes, and abilities. To be completely honest, I talked about how I loved CrossFit so much at home that I convinced my brother and dad to join the gym. I tried to convince my mom to join the gym too, but she’s grossed out by my rough hands lol.
What do you like to do in your free time?
If I could spend all my free time at CrossFit, I would. In my free time, I like to spend time with friends. I enjoy going shopping and going out to eat. I like to drink coffee. I also enjoy relaxing or hanging out with my family.
What do you do for work/school and how has CrossFit impacted how you do your job?
I am a rising senior at Carnegie Mellon University majoring in Business Administration, Decision Science, and Statistics. Currently, I am interning in the Business Intelligence department at Selective Insurance. CrossFit helps me to maintain balance in my life. It can be super easy to get stressed out during the semester with assignments, exams, and papers. With CrossFit, I can make sure that I take at least an hour (sometimes 2 or 3 hours lol) to myself to focus on my physical and mental health. I believe that exercise is the best way for me to reduce my stress. Exercising is the one thing I can do during the semester where I don’t feel guilty for not working on assignments or studying.
We threw some rapid fire questions at Liliana, here’s what she had to say:
Q: What super power would you give yourself?
A: Mind reading!
Q: What's your favorite healthy food?
A: Watermelon
Q: What's your favorite not so healthy food?
A: Pizza
Q: What TV Sitcom family or group would you be a member of?
A: Black-ish, specifically I want to be Zoey Johnson
Q: If you were famous, what would you be famous for?
A: For being a Cyborg lol (the nickname Alex gave me)
Q: If you could write your own fortune cookie fortune, what would it say?
A: Quitting is unacceptable.
Q: If you were a professional wrestler, what would you finishing move be called?
A: The Mini-Hulk (the nickname my brother gave me)
Q: Who do you look up to for inspiration at BTSCF?
A: I can’t choose one person, but to name a few people I would say Heather, Alex, and Frank. I’ve spent a lot of time with these three, and although they have different perspectives, they have all taught me important lessons both in CrossFit and in life.
Q: What is your favorite and least favorite movement?
A: Favorite movement: Push-ups! When I was a football cheerleader, every time the football team scored, we had to do the same number of push-ups as the score. (6 points, 6 push-ups, 12 points, 12 push-ups, etc.) Least favorite movement: Anything that involves kipping. However, once I learn how to kip, I’m sure all CrossFit gymnastics movements will become my favorite because they’re such cool skills.
Q: What is the one thing you've done at BTSCF that your old self wouldn't ever believe?
A: Rx’ing my first CrossFit Open, especially doing the double-unders. I remember practicing double unders in October and November and feeling like I was never going to get them, so the fact that I was able to do them in March was awesome. I definitely still need to work on them though.
Q: Anything else you want to share?
A: I’m so thankful for everyone that I have met at the gym. The community at the gym truly feels like a family. Also, I’m not the type of person who can exercise alone, so I’m glad that we all can suffer together. Thank you to all the coaches who have made me stronger mentally and physically.