Michelle Hoffman

Favorite WOD:  Chad-ish or any Hero WOD.  I also like EMOMs.   I also like Running Club!

Least Favorite WOD:   I don’t have one in particular, but I don’t love burpees or box jumps.  I don’t prefer the For Time workouts.  A year ago, I would have said anything involving running!

Tell us about your sports & fitness background:  I really don’t have one- CFKSQ is it!  I have not played sports since middle school, and this is the first gym I have ever joined.  

How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD... what was it, and how did it feel?  After sitting on hours of Zoom meetings during COVID, combined with not getting any younger, I decided it was time to try new things and get in better physical shape.  My husband and I are good friends with Katherine and Nick Lombardo, so I asked them for advice.  They encouraged me to try CrossFit, which seemed very intimidating.  Luckily for me, Katherine was also working towards her coaching credentials at the time.  I started meeting her at her home gym once a week, she practiced coaching on me (as she would say), and I got to experience a good workout.  She brought me to a bring a friend event at CFKSQ, and shortly after that I signed up! 

I don’t remember what my first WOD was at the gym, but I know my most memorable one which was Chad-ish.  It was the first hero WOD I did, and at the time, my son had just completed boot camp for the Navy, so that gave the workout some additional perspective and meaning for me.  I loved the special energy of that workout. 

What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF (before/after)?   CFKSQ has positively changed many aspects of my health and wellbeing, some of which were unexpected. I still have a way to go, but I have much better physical stamina and endurance than ever before, more energy, improved muscle tone, and better flexibility.  It’s an hour that I really can’t focus on anything else, which brings benefits beyond just physical fitness.

What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected?  I did not expect the gym to be such a supportive place.  Having no sports or fitness background, I had misconceptions of what being part of a CrossFit community (or any gym) would be like.  The way the coaches and other members support each other is such a great thing to experience.  That support and encouragement has given me confidence to try things I would not have previously.  The thought that we can do tough things, finish hard workouts, or do things we never thought we could have done has changed the way I look at challenges outside of the gym.  That has been a great unexpected benefit.

Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFKSQ moments: Completing a modified Murph with my daughter last year was fun, and we are looking forward to doing that again this year.  She and I also did the 12 Days of Christmas Barbell workout together which is a good memory.  Having a son who is active duty gives each hero WOD special meaning for me, and I appreciate that we do those. Working with a coach on something and showing marked improvement in that skill is always rewarding.  Transforming my hate of running into actually looking forward to Running Club is also a favorite so far.  

Any advice for people just getting started? Don’t worry about it!  Every coach at CFKSQ will help you figure out what is right for you.  I started with really no skills or much strength, proving CrossFit really is for anyone.  Every coach is patient, takes the time to get to know each of us, and we can trust them to get us where we need to be.  I think all the workouts are hard, but you will get through it, and you will feel good about that afterwards.  Just show up.  

What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? I like to travel to new places with my family, cook, and spend time by our pool in the summer.