JULY: CALLIE LEONARD

26 year-old Callie Leonard has been CrossFitting for 2 years - and doing it at 5:30am, to boot!

If you WOD with her and the other early risers, you know she's got "her" spot on the floor. It's so hers! She shows up every day, works hard, and then gets ready to go straight to work. 

She's our JULY inspiration!
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Favorite WOD:  Annie

Least Favorite WOD:  Anything with Wall Balls

How/Why did you start CrossFit?  

​I was attending a class that Tonya Hillburn taught with my cousin. She said we needed to try Crossfit, that it would be more of a challenge. She was right!!

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

​My first WOD was running/ power cleans...I had my bar set up with 45lbs. Then, after showing Nevin I could lift that he had the great idea to add more weight. Of course I decided I wasn't going to lift that till we started the WOD.

Then 3,2,1 GO ... and I bend down to grab my bar and my right arm gets the bar up but my left doesn't and I get stuck! I could hear my cousin laughing behind me!! After that I went for my run and Nevin changed my bar back to 45lbs and I was able to finish the WOD! Now looking back it was super funny, I was sooo weak!!

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

I have never been a person to bulk up very easily, even after 2 years I still don't have the biggest muscles and definitely not super strong. But I have become stronger and feel a lot better physically. It has taught me how far I can actually go and to never be afraid to try something new.

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

I never knew I would make so many new friends! When I first starting Crossfit I was just going to try it for a month or so, a month turned into 6 months, into a year, 2 years, and now I can't imagine working out any other way!

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

I have plenty of these days, but I think about how much better I feel after spending the morning with my 5:30am peeps and how much better it makes me feel the rest of the day!

Please share with us your favorite CrossFit / CFT moments.

​So far my favorite thing about CFT are the friends I have made! I look forward to going everyday to see my new friends!!

 
​Any advice for people just getting started?

It's going to be tough, but to seeing the self growth is totally worth it. So don't give up!!

What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit?
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I enjoy spending time with my friends & family & of course spoiling my only niece Lyla!! I love to shop like any girl and to go watch any kind of sport.

What is your superpower?
Being Head Strong