Thank you for checking out the Community Conversation, brought to you by Prototype Training Systems, home of CrossFit Prototype! The Community Conversation highlights a different member of the Prototype Community each week and allows them to tell their story, share their life experience, and communicate their perspective on all things fitness.

We’ve all listened to podcasts and watched YouTube videos that highlight some of the world’s greatest leaders and visionaries. We believe we have some AMAZING people at Prototype and we want you to get to know them! (Check out our last episode here!)

This is our 69th episode of The Community Conversation and today’s guest is Lisa Zancewicz! You won’t want to miss this episode as it’s a good one!

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Mike Collette 0:02
All right, everyone. Welcome back to the Community Conversation, we’ve taken a little break. This is season two, and we’re kicking off season two, with our very first guest and slash very first member, I think of Prototype. Lisa Zancewicz. Lisa Z. I mean, I’ve known Lisa for God over 10 years now. She’s a dedicated five am-er, I don’t think she’s ever missed a workout. She’s done over I mean, close to or over 2000 workouts at the gym. I mean, everyone knows. Lisa, also wife to Brian Zancewicz. And the mother of Marshal and Macy. So anyway, I don’t think you need much more of an introduction Lis. But I appreciate you being on the Community Conversation today.

Lisa Zancewicz 0:55
Thanks for having me. It’s pretty exciting. It’s been like 13 years. Like, I feel like it’s been a long time.

Mike Collette 1:02
It’s been a long time, a long time coming. So Lis, walk us through kind of your journey, like we know how you kind of got involved at Prototype, but, walk us through your exercise or fitness journey and I know, you were big into running at one point, you’re doing some other stuff, like, walk us through that story.

Lisa Zancewicz 1:32
I think like growing up, I was like, I won’t go that far back. But I think like, I was always like, pretty active. But like, I feel like I was thinking that now like, I didn’t really push myself at all. And so when things got hard, I was like, Oh, that’s not for me. And I feel like the same way. Like as I get older, like into college, like going to the gym, like I would go to the gym, and I would pay. And then I’d like run a little bit. Like, maybe jump on a machine. And I really didn’t have any direction. And that was like really hard for me. Um, and then I started running. Probably like, well, when I think when Brian I were engaged, so that I mean, it’s been like, probably like 17 years ago, I had a cousin on the marathon and he was like, you can do this and I was like if that guy can do it, then I can totally do it. And we were getting married. So I was like oh, that’s kind of like two-fold, right? I’m like, I’m gonna run, I’m gonna get in shape for the wedding. It’s like this great drive. And that’s really how I started running. So like, I ran a marathon, like the year that we get married. And I was like, solely running. And then my same cousin started going to this place in Needham. Like with his lacrosse team, and it was like similar to CrossFit. They have a coach and small group sessions, and that was really like what sucked me in because it was social. It was like a driven hour and somebody was coaching me, but it wasn’t one-on-one. Like that one-on-one was really hard for me. To hold a conversation with a person for an hour. You know, I mean, you know, like you personal train, like it can be like so tricky, right?

Mike Collette 3:17
It depends on the person too. Like if the other person doesn’t really want to talk to you.

Lisa Zancewicz 3:23
Like it drags by. So I feel like that was like what drew me like this, like, small group, like it was something different. It was always changing. And but it was in Needham, and it was like far, but I still kept going there. And then like, you know, things kind of morphed and we moved on to Clinton. And then in Clinton, they have I think you’ve met him Jeremy, he has a gym. Um, that’s very similar to like, you know, he coaches the classes. And so I started going here, you know, in town and still for the same reason it was like people and like, I was like, Oh, this is it’s always changing and, and all that other stuff. And then obviously, once CrossFit opened and they got the showers, so once the gym opened and it had showers, it was like, that’s when I started coming to the gym. So I think for me, like really what pulled me in was like, it has always been, like everything’s always changing and the social aspect of it is really what it is.

Mike Collette 4:29
Yeah, the common theme is. The running stuff you were doing like that was solo, right?

Lisa Zancewicz 4:35
That was solo and I started to find like like the hook for that was like I found like moving my body like for my own like mental health and like my own just like feeling about life was like much better. Like it was like an hour a day. And especially like when Marshal was little and like, you know it was just a way for me to like get out of the house. You know what I mean, like, when the kids are so little, and you’re like, in it? I mean, I don’t want to terrify you or anything. But when you’re in it, you’re in it.

Mike Collette 5:09
I’m shivering in my boots right now.

Lisa Zancewicz 5:10
I know. I won’t give away too many secrets. But, um, that was definitely and I think too, like, I think that too, gave me confidence like to be more physically fit. You know, I always feel like when people come in, they’re like, “Oh, I can’t do that”. I’m like, No, I have to be like that. And I think that was one of the things for me early on. Like, maybe like, not confident, and then running kind of built that for me.

Mike Collette 5:34
That’s cool. I mean, definitely running a marathon can definitely do that. What was that?

Lisa Zancewicz 5:41
Um, I ran the first marathon that year that we got married, it was like 2006. And it was in Lowell. It was like a double loop. So like, you run one, if you run one, you’re just done with the half marathon when you run the second one. So like, when I got through the half marathon, I was like, I can’t believe like, what did I do? Like, what did I sign up for? You know what I mean? And Brian being his good husband self was like there to cheer me on, which he’s like, I don’t think I like cheering you on. Because like, you run by and like, what am I doing? You know, like, you just like clapping for two hot seconds. So I think, you know, running a marathon is more like a mental beat than really.

Mike Collette 6:18
For sure. I can imagine that, that one I mean, running a lap being halfway done and you’re like yeah, I have another hour and a half, two hours, like to keep running or whatever.

Lisa Zancewicz 6:30
I mean, for me, it was like more like 2 plus.

Well, yeah, I mean, I can imagine that being so mental, like doing two giant loops versus like, you know, and then you said you did another one.

I’ve done Boston. Three times. I really liked Boston. For one because we grew up like watching it. I grew up in Framingham. So like we used to watch it all the time. And then it’s just it’s like, it’s always so crowded and like the the fans were there and it just is like what you know, when you grow up. So when I did it, I was like, even though, you know, it was not the greatest of pace for me. It was definitely an experience for sure.

Mike Collette 7:15
I mean, did three times what was your best year? What was the most memorable year I guess? It doesn’t need to be the best time but what was the most memorable one? The weather for Boston can be hit or miss. Right?

Lisa Zancewicz 7:30
Yeah, the first one I did it was like a nor’easter. Like it was like a rainy nor’easter. So if it was like cold, it would have been snow, but it was so it was like whipping rain. Like it was like, the weather was not great at all. It was nice. I mean, it wasn’t super hot. And then the other two were okay, like pretty seasonable. So yeah.

That’s good. What was the one that sticks out to you the most?

I ran one was my brother. My brother’s three years younger than me. And he decided he was going to run like, I don’t know, like three months before the race. So like, he’d gone on a couple runs. And he was like, this is great. So just I think being able to do that together was fun. And then at the end, we had a lady. He’s like, a foot taller than me. We had a lady take our picture. We were lik “We just ran the marathon, this is my brother we’re like so psyched”. And it’s like me, and then it cuts off his head. So it’s like his shoulders and she was like, oh my god, I’m so excited. She takes the picture hands it back. We’re like thanks so much. And then she walks away. And then we look and we were like, what? You know, cell phones were like, kind of a thing, but not really.

Mike Collette 8:43
So, shout out to the worst photographer ever.

Lisa Zancewicz 8:46
Yeah, other than my mom.

Mike Collette 8:53
It’s so funny. Well, you definitely just walked us through the cool journey. And then obviously getting into working out at Prototyping CrossFit classes in 2012. I’m sure you have a lot of memories, or like, things that stick out into your in your brain? People come and go. You’ve seen things change, things move around. The hairy turf and all that sort of stuff that people remember but what sticks out to you over the past 10 years?

Lisa Zancewicz 9:26
Um, I think, you know, when I think about it, sometimes Brian I laugh like, it’s been like, like, pretty amazing to watch, like it grow and change. You know, I think back when it was still like a conversation and I’m sure you’ve heard me say this before, like, Marshall was two and a half, I was pregnant with Macy. Right. And I was like, oh, yeah, right. That sounds great. Like, this will be a great idea. And then he like, followed through and did it. And I was like, Oh my God, right. And then it was just the two of you. So I feel like the journey itself has been pretty amazing to watch. When I think about it, even for me, it was so new and unknown, when it first opened for me, you know what I mean? I think like, oh my gosh, like the pool of bars on the other side, and I could barely do a pull up, you know, and then like, and I remember that, like, first competition, Caitlin, and I, and Caitlin, you know, I think back like, and I, you know, I wanted to beat Caitlyn so badly, you know, like, and it was pull ups, and I’m like, I can barely do a pull up and she’s doing them. And it’s just things like that, and I’m like, Oh, my gosh. You know, as much as I wanted to beat Caitlin, it’s just not about that anymore. Do you know what I mean? I’ve gone on trips, with, you know, my special group of people. We’ve had some amazing experiences. So I think, you know, if it had never opened the doors 10 years ago, you know, how different life would be so it definitely, it’s, pretty interesting, I think.

Mike Collette 11:10
You guys definitely seem to have the tight connection, you refer to them as your special group of people. I don’t know if that’s like, what you call each other. But, I assume you’re talking about some of the ladies from the 5am and 6am classes. And it’s cool. I mean, like, you know, from the inception and the start to, like, you know, you’re talking about going on trips and building relationships and that sort of thing. It’s just a cool thing that’s happened, you got to see it kind of like go from, where it was to where it is. And, you know, it still continues to change and different things are happening and that sort of thing. The thing I always like, when we do these type conversations, like there’s always like particular, like, wherever there events or like, you know, things that stuck out like and I know you participated in almost everything. Like any like other events or anything that we’ve done at the gym stick out to you? I guess maybe like a memorable moment, or anything that comes to mind?

Lisa Zancewicz 12:18
My most memorable thing?

Yeah, something like that. Anything that comes to mind. I’m curious.

I don’t know. Like I always feel like the competitions are fun. I don’t know if I have like one that sticks out.

Mike Collette 12:32
You’ve watched people pee on the floor.

Lisa Zancewicz 12:40
It’s always shocking, but not really. You know what I mean? Um, one time, like, during, I think it was during the open, they had like a 95 pound snatch. And I got it. And I remember Garrett was there. And he’ll probably be like, I can’t believe she called me out for this. She was like, was that real? And I was like, it was real. It was real, you know, like, that sort of thing. I think to go back to that social part of it. I feel like, when we have like parties at the end or like the, even like, the holiday parties at the gym. And those things super fun. I mean, I’m sure like, he would be like, we have a holiday party. And I’m like, hiding on Brian because he’s ready to go. And I’m like, in the back, because I’m not. He’s like, I’m done. He’s like, it’s 11 o’clock. We have to go. Like, pull the car around.

So funny. Yeah. The social stuff. There’s so many social events and stuff that we’ve done over the years. It’s hard to keep track.

When I think about it, I’m like, Oh my gosh, like to pin down like one thing, like one PR like, I feel like like the energy that’s there, like, all those things are amazing, you know, like, whenever you’re there. Competition, social things, like the open. Anything.

Mike Collette 14:14
You’re such a veteran. You’ve done basically every workout. Again, I’m not joking. It’s like 2000 or more, maybe even close to it. I gotta check it, but it’s like, close to 2000. You have to have a favorite workout. Maybe an idea of it? I’m curious what that is.

Lisa Zancewicz 14:38
My favorite workout. I feel like this is gonna sound like SoulCycle like, some of those ladies are gonna be like, that’s your favorite. I like doing Fran because it’s fast. And I could see like over time, how my time has like gotten better. It’s just qualifiable. When I first started however, years ago, whatever my first grand time is at, like, whatever time seven minutes, and now it’s like, whatever it is now. I don’t know off the top of my head. I’d have to look at Wodify. I like things like that and I like that they’re quick. I can say “Okay, I’m going to do these 45 things” like you if you do this on the minute, and that’s how you’re gonna break that down.

Mike Collette 15:32
For everyone who’s listening doesn’t know what Fran is, it’s and the 2159 thrusters and pull ups. 21 thrusters, 20 on pull ups, 15159, and you do it for time. The thing I think is cool about that workout in particular is you can do that with a PVC pipe or a barbell and do jumping pull ups. And you can, like you said, watch the progression doing your first RX version of that workout, or like just even doing the RX thrusters, and maybe not the pull ups or doing the whole thing as prescribed and then having a benchmark time. The first one you did probably wasn’t with prescribed pull ups, right? You get to see the history of the journey, just within that one workout. And it it kind of ties back to like the stuff you’re talking about where like the marathon like three Boston marathons, you have a benchmark, right? There’s something to kind of, like, push you, which is important, because, like you mentioned is like quantifiable, it shows a measure of progress, which is so important, right?

Lisa Zancewicz 16:37
For sure. And I was just thinking about what you were talking like, pull ups or pull ups aren’t like my strength, but like thrusters, I can handle pretty, like I can manage those, like a 65 pound thrusters, like pretty manageable. So I feel like, Alright, like I can do 21, unbroken, like, how are you breaking up your pull ups now? Like, have those gotten better? So it’s like, something that I feel like is like, a strength and something that’s like, I feel like I’m constantly working on.

I totally understand. And I bet you a lot of people listening to this are like, Why the hell is that her favorite workout?

I’m sure I’m going to hear about it at some point.

Mike Collette 17:18
Now we’ll know who actually listened to this. We’re calling you all out right now. I’m curious, like, you know, since you’ve been doing this so long, what are your like words of wisdom? So for folks that may be new to the gym, or maybe have been doing this for you know, maybe even just like a year or two? Like, what’s your words of wisdom?

Lisa Zancewicz 17:50
I feel like to just like, stick with it. Like, fine, like, not all the time do you have to go like 100%, right, but you don’t have to go like, like, sometimes just getting in the door is all you need, right? Like even if you’re tired, or if you’re worn down or like your day wasn’t like fantastic. Just like getting there. And then chances are when you’re there, you’ll feel better. And you’ll be able to like move. Right? So like I go, I mean, I go every day, and not every day do I feel like I’m gonna go 100% Right. Like, sometimes I just don’t lay down on the ground. But I feel like I’m there and like, and then I’m inspired to go, right. I feel like those are things. Yeah, so easy to get off track, I think are like, things come up and like you’re like, like, this takes priority over this. But then it’s like, you have to prioritize yourself a little bit. And I know like for me, like at 5am. Like, I’m not, you know, it’s not interrupting anybody’s schedule. So it’s a little bit different. But I feel like you just have to give yourself a minute. I think like Brendan Sheehan, like when I used to see him more in the morning would say like, it’s just an hour where you don’t have anything else on your plate. Like you’re just there to like move your body. And like whatever you get done in the hours better than if you sit at home. So I think that’s it and took like, practically, this is my other thing too. And I see this at work to the kids. Like, if you don’t practice something like you’re just not going to get better. Right, like so I would say that like, and this was this was like one of the biggest things like, you know, double unders took me forever to learn. But I didn’t really practice consistently. I was just kind of open it, like, made its way to me, you know, but I’m like, so now I’m like, no, like, I have to practice and I feel like my kids at home and I say to my kids at school, like, like, oh, like I’m so bad at it. Well, you have to like put the work in a little bit too. So like, if you get yourself in the door, you have to put the work in a little bit. If that makes sense.

Mike Collette 19:48
That 100% makes sense.

Lisa Zancewicz 19:50
I always say to Brian I think eventually I’d like to get a muscle up and he’s like, Alright. I’m like, but I’m not ready to practice enough yet. I’m not ready to commit. So for now, I’m gonna work on like my pull ups and my chest to bar, you know, like I just like, maybe over the summer when I’m not working.

So basically what you said was show up, give it your all and work well with other people in the gym, like build a relationship.

It’s like a good human being tactic.

Mike Collette 20:22
That’s basically like, foundational of human being as a relates to anything. That’s probably the best advice that has been given on any Community Conversation. Show up, give it your all build relationships. It’s pretty dang good advice for anyone that is new to it and distill down. If you don’t practice, you’re not gonna get better at it. You got to put the work in and get your ass to the door.

Lisa Zancewicz 20:52
That’s all you have to do really. Just get in there.

If there’s a queen of consistency, you have that title.

Definitely, like a good routine for sure.

Mike Collette 21:08
10 0%. All right. We are at time right now. Because I have made a change to our I’ve been saying it for whatever how many episodes we did in season 1. 60 Something episodes. I’m changing the question. And there’s only one question right now. And the old questions were favorite movie, favorite TV show, favorite musician, favorite band favorite song, what do you like to do when you’re not working out, what’s your hobby? The question that I have, it’s not really a question. It’s more like a game. Two truths and a lie. All right, which we’ve all we’ve all done that. So you need to tell me two truth and a lie. And I need to pick out the lie. And there’s no winner or loser here, but it’s just me guessing it. But then you need to elaborate on those truths a little bit, if there’s any merit to it, but I think there’s merit to it. But you know if there’s any fun, fun stories that come out of it, but anyway, and by the way, I did prep, Lisa ahead of time with this because this is a hard thing to do. Going forward, you should know what to expect because this is what we’re gonna ask again. Whenever you’re ready.

Lisa Zancewicz 22:30
All right. Let’s see. Um, as a freshman in college, I traveled to Florida during spring break and had sun poisoning on my face. I’ve been kicked out of multiple Red Sox games. And I started college at Providence College as an accounting major.

Mike Collette 23:15
Those are very specific. I gotta pick the lie here. This is hard. And I’m gonna keep score for myself. See what my record is. My gut tells me it’s the Red Sox but the Florida sun poisoning.

Lisa Zancewicz 23:51
No, that’s true.

Mike Collette 23:53
What’s the lie?

Lisa Zancewicz 23:54
Um, I started at URI. As an accounting major. so I’ve been kicked out of Red Sox games. I did have sun poisoning.

I guess the sun poisoning. I was kind of thinking Red Sox. But it’s true. l wasn’t even close.

I went super specific because I was gonna keep that as my truth like that. I didn’t go to URI as an accounting major, initially and then I was like that’s the easiest one to change because I can just change the place.

That’s smart. You out witted me. Okay, so the Florida Sun poisoning, let’s talk about that real quick. So basically, this is like a spring break thing?

Yeah, we went down there for spring break and I basically put moisturizer on my face instead of sunscreen. In the hot Florida sun was out there like having myself a day and then we came back in and it was all like bubbly and gross. It was awful. So like, I was sick to my- like it was so bad. And then we went back. My dad picked me up and like at that point it had looked good. Like, kind of peeled like bubbles. And he was like Lisa you look terrible. I’m like no this looks great. That poor guy. He was like what happened?

The first thing that comes to my head when you tell me that story is have you told Brian that story because he was freaking coconut oil?

Oh my god. Ah, yes. Because my skin is lighter than his skin.

Mike Collette 25:43
Okay, so he can put baby oil on. Whenever he tells me that, it reminds me of greased up deaf guy from Family Guy running around. I don’t know if you’re familiar with that. Now you got to tell me about-so this wasn’t just one Red Sox game?

Lisa Zancewicz 26:05
There were like two of them. And then another one, we laugh so we used to get packs of tickets and go with eight of our friends. This is way back. Brian and I were dating. He was 21. Barely. So we were at a Yankees game like a Yankees Red Sox game. And our good friends are Yankees fans, and they were there. And a guy like took her hat. So of course we stop and we’re like barking at him. Like, give it back. You’re a jerk, blah, blah, whatever. He didn’t. He finally tosses it back. So we take it now we’re screaming down. And then that guy’s yelling back and he’s getting so he and I are like having this exchange. And then he calls me a pig. So Brian’s with me and loses his mind. So they like, bring Bri out. They like escort Bri out. So now I’m like, kind of mad at Brian for getting kicked out first. But then also like, whatever. So then the guy like turns around, he’s like, she’s still like taunting. So he turned around and watch the game and like from where we were like, I threw my, my beer on him. And then I sat down ever so calmly, and like continue to watch the game until there was like a policeman at the end of the row. And he was like, he was like, the nicest guy ever. But that’s what happened.

Mike Collette 27:22
So they’re like, Yeah, you can’t throw beer at people.

Lisa Zancewicz 27:25
I know. It’s like, my not my proudest moment. But it’s still like at this point, however, you know, 20 years later.

Yeah, I get like, I could picture you throw the bear and sit down and just like-

Like nothing happened.

Mike Collette 27:38
You’re waiting for something to happen or you’re like, Oh, that was a bad idea. Or am I in trouble now?

Lisa Zancewicz 27:45
I was like, oh, and then like, you know, we get outside? And of course I can’t they bring Brian out like a different way. I’m trying to find him.

Mike Collette 27:55
What was the second time?

Lisa Zancewicz 27:58
Pretty similar, like another guy threw something. Similar like screaming. The throwing of the bear that was the all time high. The second one was more of like, one guy threw something back at us. And then like we’re yelling, so then they just kick everybody out.

Got it. Drunken Red Sox, fans.

No, you can’t. And now like, you know, we go to games now. And I’m like, Oh my gosh, like this happened. And I’m sure Pete like, families were probably there. Right? Like, what was I doing? As a parent now I’m like, Oh, my gosh.

Mike Collette 28:37
I haven’t been to one in a while but I feel like it’s more tamed now.That being said, there’s always drunk obnoxious people doing drunk obnoxious thing. So that’s what happens when you add alcohol to sports. You know? It’s what happens. It’s not your fault. Well, Lisa Z we just played Two Truths and a Lie. First time on the Community Conversation. We just learned a ton about you, which is a good way to end the Community Conversation. I appreciate you joining, being on here, sharing your story.

Lisa Zancewicz 29:25
Thank you for having me.

Mike Collette 29:24
Of course. Everyone that’s listening right now, thank you so much for tuning in to this week’s Community Conversation. Remember, every week going forward, season two, you will have a new Community Conversation in your inbox every Monday to start the week. So thanks for tuning in. You can check us out on Spotify, YouTube, Apple, all that fun stuff. So until next week. Thanks, everyone. Thanks, Lisa.

Lisa Zancewicz 29:39
Bye. Thank you.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai