JANUARY: SARAH CROSS HENDRIX

We're thrilled to announce our first Athlete of the month for 2016!

Hometown: I grew up in Athens Tx but Tyler has been my home for 8 years now.

Age: 31

When did you first start CrossFitting? May 2015

Favorite WOD: Anything with deadlift or power cleans.

Least Favorite WOD: Running. I am so slow.

Tell us about your sports & fitness background:

I started gymnastics when I was really young, and did that for a couple of years. I started basketball and baseball when I was four years old. Basketball was my first love. I played 5 sports in high school: softball, basketball, track (shot put and discus, no running!) tennis, and volleyball.

I started playing rugby at Texas Woman’s University in 2004, and played with teams in Denton and Dallas until I “retired” in 2014. I started a fitness boot camp at my hospital about 2 years ago. I have also done some Sprint Triathlons.

How were you first exposed to CrossFit?

My younger sister and I played rugby together for years, and we also stopped playing at the same time. She started CrossFit at a gym in Dallas, and I watched her go to competitions and get stronger for about a year.

​I started researching gyms in Tyler, and then found myself seated at a table with [fellow CFT member] Allison at a hospital meeting. She told me how awesome CFT was, and I joined in May.

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

It was a strength day, on a Friday. It was 10 reps of back squat, with handstands in between sets. I did not go heavy on the bar, because I was still trying to get used to going below parallel! But I was definitely sore the next day. I had Laura for my coach, and she was sooo awesome and encouraging.

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

I have gained so much muscle! Since May, I have gone down 2 pants sizes, and have much more muscle definition. Since starting the challenge in October, I have lost 15 pounds, and almost 4% body fat. 

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

I have recruited several friends to CrossFit since starting, and like sharing how much I love CF with anyone who will listen! My husband Johnathan decided to join CFT in September. We now do CrossFit together! I also never expected to completely change how we eat. We learned so much during the Reset Challenge. After 3 months, I think we I have successfully adopted a Paleo diet, only slight cheating every once in a while.

There are days for everyone when you just don’t want to work out. How do you handle those?

I have my CrossFit buddies which helps a bunch. Lidia, Dana, and my husband always motivate me to work out, lift more, or try to run faster. I also think about how much stronger my little sister is than me, and it makes me want to work out more. We are not competitive at all ;).

Please share with us your favorite CrossFit / CFT moments.

Just in the last several weeks, I have done my first kipping pull up unassisted, my first toe to bar, strung together 34 double unders in a row, and deadlifted over 300 pounds! My favorite moment would have to be doing the 306# deadlift. I lifted what I thought was 300#. My classmate told me “I waited until you lifted, but that was 305 not 300.” 305 was the top girl for the day so far, so I had to do 306#.

​There were several people there cheering me on. It was ugly, but I did it. It made me so happy to have other people there encouraging me. Classmates and coaches genuinely care about your progress and accomplishments, and it shows.

Any advice for people just getting started?

Come as much as you can, even when you are sore, and learn from everyone. All the coaches have something different to teach you, and so do your classmates.

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

I am a physical therapist at Heathsouth. I have a fitness boot camp I do 3x a week for hospital employees and their family members. I love to cook. I have a 1966 Ford Fairlane I like to work on and drive. I love anything with zombies or Ninja Turtles. I like to play co­ed slow pitch softball, and do Sprint Triathlons.

What is your superpower?
​
I am an eternal and unwavering optimist. I think that is my superpower.