April: Chris, Shay, and Ashley Rhame

This month we celebrate a whole family for Athlete of the Month!

Hometown: Whitehouse
Age:  Chris – 38    Shay – 39 

When did you first start CrossFitting?   
Chris – November 2012  
Shay – September 2012

Favorite WOD: 
Chris - Grace 
Shay –  I enjoy Chipper Style WODs.

Least Favorite WOD:
Chris – Karen (I DO NOT LIKE WALL BALLS) 
Shay – Anything with Snatches or Running!

Tell us about you sports & fitness background:
Chris – NONE
Shay – Played Soccer for 12 years and Cheerleading

How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? 

Chris – My wife talked me into it (she was coming home talking about it A LOT). I was doing a boot camp and realized I needed more than what boot camp could offer. 

Shay – A friend introduced me to CrossFit.  I too was doing the boot camp. When I tried my first CrossFit WOD and saw what it was about, I knew I was hooked.

Take us back to your first WOD... what was it, and how did it feel? 

Chris – “FRAN.” I did HORRIBLE my Time was 17:??. And I thought I was in pretty good shape until FRAN proved me way wrong!

Shay – “Angie.” At first I thought ok it’s just Pull Ups, Push Ups, Sit Ups and Squats. Those are just basic movements….YEA OK???? I was sore for at least a week and my hands were ripped.  It was TERRIBLE.   Oh and I learned real quick that Crossfit Push Ups are NOTHING like boot camp push ups!!

What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF (before/after)? 

Chris – More Fit, More Energy, More Weight Loss, and Better Diet 
Shay – CrossFit is the BEST if you want to see results, see them quickly, and see them last. I had been 
doing a boot camp for several months, and in my first month of doing CrossFit I saw more weight and inches lost than I ever had.  I have had more energy and gained more strength than I thought I would ever see. 

Most importantly it makes it so much easier having the support of my husband through it all. He not only just goes to CrossFit too, he helps me in the kitchen and stay on track with my diet. Doing it together makes it so much easier.

What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected? 

Chris – Being 38 and giving the younger generations a run for their money!  Just being healthier for Ashley.  

Shay – CrossFit has done a lot for me.  I will try and make this short. When Ashley was four, I coached her Lil Soccer team, weighing 219 pounds. At the time I could barely walk across the soccer field without becoming completely short of breath.  It was terrible.

Right then I told myself I had to change. She is my only daughter, and I can’t let her grow up and me not be able to play or go outside and do things with her.  So I first started walking, then later joined a boot camp and then CrossFit.  

It was CrossFit that was the game changer for me.

We were both thrilled to complete our Level 1 CrossFit Certification.  It was amazing to meet some of the 
elite athletes and learn new things.  YES Chris got to meet Camille Leblanc Bezinet, I am SOOO JEALOUS!  It is an amazing group and organization! 

Any advice for people just getting started? 

Chris – If you want results then Train like It!!!! Learn to get out of your Comfort Zone. 
Shay – CrossFit is for anyone and any fitness level!  

What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? 

Chris – Family, Hunting, Fishing, bow fishing, Lake Stuff, and Golf
Shay – My Daughter, Hunting, Bow Fishing, and Artsy Crafty stuff

We are so blessed to have CrossFit Tyler as part of our family!  I truly believe CrossFit was my saving grace!  It has made it so much easier to teach and have my daughter follow in our foot steps to a healthier lifestyle.

Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFT moments 

Chris – I started CF at a different box. There I thought I had to RX “Every WOD” or I was looked down 
upon, so in doing so I was constantly hurt and visiting Brian and Jen at Airrosti (But thank you, Jen and Brian, 
ya’ll did keep me going.)  When I came to CFT, I got the same support and encouragement regardless of what I did RX or Scaled.  And the attention to detail for each movement by all the coaches at CFT! I have not had to see Brian and Jen since joining CFT.  For that I am thankful!   

Shay – The first time I actually did Double unders in a WOD..WOOHOO! But pretty much ditto to Chris comments above. Our first experience was not a great one….I even went through a boycott to Crossfit for a while.  BUT Crossfit Tyler Coaches and Family made it certainly possible to LOVE Crossfit again.  We thank you all sincerely for that!!!