We are very excited to have Melinda as our August Member of the Month. As someone who took a few years to come around to the whole “CrossFit” idea, she now embraces the barbell (sometimes literally) and likes being physically strong to reflect her inner strength. If you’ve ever met Melinda, you know she brings a bright smile and a great laugh to the group. She’s not afraid to be coached and gives all she has in the workout of the day. As you’ll read, CrossFit gave her a way to get out of the house and be an “adult” after her second pregnancy, but we feel like she gives so much back to the Kanna community. Congrats, Melinda!
Name
Melinda Lyon
Occupation
8th Grade Math Teacher
When did you start CF?
Officially joined a box after having Trevor in 2014, but did CrossFit-inspired workouts for a while before that
What are your favorite numbers and why?
13-Anniversary Date (8/13) and Trevor’s Birthday (7/13); 21-Natalie’s Birthday(2/21); 4-my softball number and we have a family of four
What CF movements do you like?
Snatches, Over Head Squats, box jumps (20″), burpees (I’m afraid to admit that….), short runs (200 m) with things in between, back squats
What CF movements do you dislike?
Long Distance Running; Wall Balls, Deadlifts, Thrusters, double-unders
What sports or fitness things did you do before CF?
Sports: When I was younger I played softball starting at age five through High School; I did competitive cheerleading in middle/high school and then in college as well; always liked to be active Fitness: After college was trying to find a way to stay in shape so I started running and doing races (5k, broad street, 1/2 marathon) but really didn’t enjoy it, but I liked working towards a goal. Then I did more class-like fitness like yoga, pilates, and Zumba which I like the class atmosphere but was looking for more intensity. So, for me CrossFit is a great fit because it combines the class atmosphere with High Intensity workouts. I also get the piece of working towards a goal because I am constantly working to improve upon a skill or learning something new.
How did you find CF? What was your first workout?
My best friends had been doing crossFit for awhile but I had a lot of preconceived notions about it at first so it took them awhile to convince me. Then my husband joined a box our friends were apart of and I didn’t want to miss out on the fun so I decided to give it a try. I had a private session on deadlifts way back that got me interested into the weight aspect. My first workout at a box was a team workout that included tire flips, burpees, and box jumps I think.
What’s your favorite thing about CF? (either CF in general or about Kanna or both)
For me it’s that I am always learning something new or improving upon a skill. I’m never bored and always challenged. The community aspect as well. People at Kanna not only know me as an “athlete” but also as a mom and wife since my husband is also a member and my kids are welcome to be at the gym while we are working out whether during babysitting which is offered or being watched by my spouse. I think the only way to truly feel like you belong to a community is for everyone to know about a lot of different facets of my life whether through the question of the day or just chatting before/after class.
What are your hobbies?
Reading (preferably on a beach), Cheering on the Philadelphia Sports Teams and Villanova Basketball, Baking, Traveling (more so before kids),
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
PICKLES are one of my favorite foods and I once ate a crazy amount on a dare
What PRs or accomplishments are you most proud of?
Toes to bar before baby #2, overhead squat from rack 100# (triple digits!) 2 rep max , just seeing myself get stronger on all my lifts and getting back/exceeding weights, box jump heights, etc. after having baby #2
What’s on your CF bucket list?
Pull-ups-I know I’ll get there one day. Rope climb- but that I just never had time to practice the technique. POSSIBLY a partner or team competition but it has to be the right people and venue
What’s on your general bucket list?
Travel to London and Greece; see an African safari; drink more wine in Italy and France; raise my two kids into people who can contribute positively to the world, Write a book (children’s book, teaching adventures, or young adult)
What advice do you have for new (or experienced!) CrossFitters?
Don’t let your pre-conceived notions stop you from trying something new. There’s a lot of things said about CrossFit (ie. cult-like, women who lift weights get too bulky, easy to get hurt, etc.) but when you find a box with smart, helpful coaches who know how to encourage a strong, supportive community you realize that you should have checked it out for yourself sooner. I have been amazed at what I have been able to achieve physically and mentally-which has only helped me in my everyday life. I love working out next to such a diverse community where everyone has their own scale for movements but the end result is the same–catching our breath and fist pumping each other
Anything else you’d like to mention?
After I had my first child I felt really weak, like the pregnancy and birth took a lot of my strength away for some reason. That is what really made me try CrossFit in the first place. I definitely underestimated how empowering you feel from being physically strong. With my recent pregnancy, CrossFit has given me something for myself. It has helped me get out of the house and have adult conversations, given me confidence as I get stronger and learn new skills and has helped maintain my energy levels. I am forever grateful for CrossFit Kanna, the community and coaches, as it helped me find myself again postpartum.
***Kanna members: Melinda’s custom workout will be Saturday 8/18!***
How does one become Member of the Month? By embodying the mission of CrossFit Kanna of Learning, Working Hard, and Having Fun. By contributing to the community and supporting others in and out of the workout. By being open to coaching and improving oneself for the sake of being better, not to “win” the workout. By just generally being a good person and having a positive attitude. And a lot more, but you get the idea!