We’re ecstatic to announce Katie Zenzel as our December Member of the MOnth! How fitting that this month is also her 1-year anniversary! Among being a super mom to three kiddos, wife, and full time worker, she still makes it a priority to make it to class 3x/week. Her mentality and willingness to push past her comfort zone does not go unnoticed. She has been a wonderful addition to the community; always there encouraging others. For all of those reasons and more, Katie is our December Member of the Month – Congratulations!
Name
Katie Zenzel
Occupation
Art Director
When did you start CF?
12/15/18
What are your favorite numbers and why?
7 – it’s just always been my favorite number I have no idea why; & 2 – my husband’s favorite number
What CF movements do you like?
handstands, backbends (all the gymnastic-y stuff), rowing box jumps (before the sprained ankle) and kettlebell swings. I used to like Wall Balls when they were lighter.
What CF movements do you dislike?
lunges, walking lunges
What sports or fitness things did you do before CF?
As a kid — gymnastics, dance, cheerleading, softball, track (100m & 200m). Post-college – yoga, hiking, trail running
How did you find CF? What was your first workout?
Talked to Chris at Ambler Oktoberfest, saw Sara Allender wearing Kanna stuff at daycare everyday and bit the bullet and came to the Saturday after Thanksgiving (2018). First official workout was on Saturday 12/15 – Molly’s MotM workout (eeesh)!!
What’s your favorite thing about CF?
I’ve never been to any other CF box, but the people that make up the Kanna community are some of THE most supportive and kind people I’ve ever met. The coaches are knowledgable, trustworthy and fun! The community itself is made up of encouraging, hard-working and humble people whom I never knew I needed in my life.
What are your hobbies?
ummm… ask me in 5 years
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I’m a painter. I double-majored in Fine Arts (painting) and REALLY wanted to do this as a career. Now I just do kids bedrooms and maybe a mural or two on daycare walls.
What PRs or accomplishments are you most proud of?
All of my lift PRs (specifically my deadlift & back squat) – I never lifted a barbell till I started at Kanna
What’s on your CF bucket list?
Toes-to-bar (got a decent string of knees to elbows last week!) & getting my freehold handstand better. Oh I need to get back on the box jump wagon.
What’s on your general bucket list?
Yearly travel to National Parks (with kids!) but first… a 2nd honeymoon with my husband! Next year is our 10 year wedding anniversary (20 years knowing each other), neither of us did much to celebrate our 40th bdays and we haven’t gone on vacation since our wedding. So if anyone wants to watch a kid or 2 next October…
What advice do you have for new (or experienced!) CrossFitters?
Don’t think, just do…the mind gets in the way of progression. Don’t worry about what you think you look like (no one is watching, they’re trying to just get through the same thing). And luckily, Kanna has no mirrors (thank you!)!
Anything else you’d like to mention?
For me (and I’m weird, I know this) the music makes a HUGE difference in my performance. I usually start a WOD or a movement on a beat, guess it goes back to dancing, but I need to hit the rhythm of a song in order to keep up whatever pace I have going. It’s funny, but I didn’t realize how important of a roll that music has played in my life till I started hearing ALL kinds of music again at Kanna (being stuck in an office, on tons of client calls, and working in budget spreadsheets has put a huge damper on this aspect of my life… maybe I’m realizing that I’m not made for office-life (mind-blown emoji).
***Kanna members: Katie’s custom workout TBD***
How does one become Member of the Month? By embodying the Kanna ideals 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!