Mel is the cutest person we know! The positive attitude she brings to the gym is contagious. She constantly has a huge smile on her face while hopping around from exercise to exercise. She reminds us of a kid in a candy store! Since starting at CFS Mel has made vast improvements in her fitness and in the highly technical Olympic weightlifting exercises, her Squat Clean is a thing of beauty! We love Mel and hope everyone outside of the noon class gets a chance to know her too.
How did you get involved in CrossFit? What was your first WOD/experience?
I was bored at the gym I belonged to for 10 years. I was doing group exercise classes like spinning and Body Pump. Everything I read and people I talked to seemed to be talking about Crossfit. It seemed like just the challenge I needed to get out of my fitness rut. I came to Crossfit Southie to try it out. 7 minutes. I thought “I can do anything for 7 minutes.” I was WRONG! I got my butt kicked, but I knew I wanted to do it again.
When did you start coming to CrossFit Southie?
May of 2012
Is this the first CrossFit you’ve worked out at / how long have you been CrossFitting for?
Southie is the first Crossfit I’ve worked out at. I travel to New York a few times a year for professional training, so I’ve tried a couple there also.
I’ve been Crossfitting for a little more than a year.
When did you realize that CrossFit was right for you?
I realized Crossfit was right for me when I discovered that the workouts were so diverse. You truly don’t repeat the same exercises in the same way all the time. It’s constantly challenging, frustrating and inspiring. Also all of the coaches at Southie are fantastic. I’ve learned many things from each and every one of them.
What are you short-term and long-term CrossFit goals?
Anyone who sees me around the box knows I’ve been working on my double unders FOREVER! So that’s definitely one thing. It will be soon. Long-term, probably mastering the Olympic lifts. I’m fascinated by the complexity of them.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
I got my first rope climb. I’m still bragging about it. I’m pretty sure I found a reason to get out of gym class every time the rope climbing came around. So that was a huge one.
What is your favorite / least favorite WOD/movement?
I like the WODs that don’t have a lot of equipment. The ones that have burpees, push-ups, pull-ups, wall balls and short running (I do a VERY slow 800). The Box Jump and I don’t get along very well, but we came up with an agreement…I promised to slow down and keep an eye on where I’m jumping, and my box promised not to hit me in the shins…So far, so good.
What do you do for a profession outside of CrossFit?
I’m a hairdresser. I own a “Best of Boston” award winning salon in Milton, Mellie Hair Design. I’m a business partner with my husband Jeff. I’m also a mother to a 13 year old son, Quentin. We live in Quincy with our 2 dogs.
What are your hobbies outside of CrossFit?
My business takes up a lot of my time, but Sunday is family day. I spend it cooking, hiking at Blue Hills, and I’m helping my sister get ready for a charity ride, so I’m putting in some miles on the bike.
Do you eat Paleo or Zone? What is your favorite paleo/non-paleo meal?
I don’t really follow either. I’m planning on doing the next challenge though… I eat a pretty clean diet, lots of fruits, vegetables and organic and grass-fed meats, cheeses and whole grains. I stay away from processed foods and empty carbs like white bread, rice and pasta. My favorite splurge at home is linguine ala carbonara( pasta, cheese, egg, bacon, YUM!) and going out, I love Indian food, especially chicken tikka masalla.
Fun fact?
There’s a gym 2 doors down from my business, but I choose to go to Crossfit Southie. I have never had so much fun working out in my life. There is an incredible community there, and it’s a pleasure being part of it.
Strength
Work up to a max for the complex:
2 Push-presses
3 Push-jerks
WOD
5-10-15-20-15-10-5
Box Jumps (30,24)
KettleBell Swings (2,1.5)
Level 2 (1.5,1)
Level 1 (1.25,26lbs)
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