Prototype of the Month: Sandra Burns

I started in April 2019 when a friend wanted me to sign up for 5am classes with her.  I knew I needed more structure and discipline in my workouts, but I was terrified because Crossfit looked really hard!  I had taken many different types of classes before and was excited to try it with a friend who was also new to it.  I am still blown away by how welcoming everyone was at my first class. I wanted to blend into the background and so many of you introduced yourselves and have been fist-bumping and cheering me on ever since! I immediately loved it, even the 4:15 wakeups.  Something about that barbell made me feel powerful all day long.  So I kept showing up.  I focused on correct form and building slowly, (very, very slowly!) to make sure I wouldn’t injure myself and need to give it up.  I watched all the rock stars out there and reminded myself that they’ve been at this for a while. Just keep showing up.  At every class there is something funny, something surprising, something hard, and a truly great community of folks. The Games, Challenges, and hero workouts have been a blast, while getting to know people and learning new tricks about health and nutrition.  Jon has also helped me a ton with the food that fuels my workouts, and when we had to quarantine he inadvertently prompted me to return to grad school! That is some healthy motivation, Thank You, Jon!

Does raising teenage daughters count as a hobby or an Olympic sport? Besides funding their athletic endeavors and cupcake business, I normally love anything by the water in the warm weather and skiing in the winter. While house projects are inevitable, I don’t mind getting a good workout in by hand raking or shoveling my yard. Then it’s work, school, gym, repeat!  (Someday we’ll get back to the road trips, girls’ weekends and live concerts that I miss right now.)  I’m also a board member for Westborough Softball with Helene!

I like this question because it makes me think about why we all do this.  What does it do for us in the long term?  For me, the virtual classes have been a godsend, staying engaged but away has allowed me to sleep in while enjoying the physical, mental and emotional benefits of the coaches, the music, the athletes and the exercise itself. (For the record I’m usually on mute and yelling at Alexa about the music!)  Also, I was thrilled to push press my Christmas tree right off of my car and into the house this year! LOL!

I recently graduated to heavier dumbbells and am making gains on them.  Strength and good health are a priority while maintaining a healthy balance in life. My favorite moment so far was overcoming my fear of doing a handstand hold, maybe this will be the year for a HSPU, who knows!  I’ll keep showing up.

“The moment you’re ready to quit is usually the moment right before a miracle happens. Don’t give up.” – unknown