CrossFit Kanna would like to recognize Leslie Taliaferro as our March Member of the Month! We value Learning, Working Hard, and Having Fun; Leslie embodies all of these things both in and out of the gym. She’s always willing to ask for coaching tips, push her limits in workouts, and show up for social events. During our nutrition challenge last year she lost seven pounds of body fat in 28 days! Plus, just read below for all of the amazing things that she’s interested in – a true Renaissance woman. For all of those reasons and more, Leslie Taliaferro is our March Member of the Month – Congratulations!
Name
Leslie Christine Taliaferro
Occupation
Teacher
When did you start CF?
April 2018
What are your favorite numbers and why?
237…long story but it has to do with how my parents met and “courted”. I think they did that back then! 🙂
What CF movements do you like?
Double unders, rope climbs, rowing, kettle bell swings, box jumps, pull ups, push ups, sit ups…I like body weight stuff. I have grown to appreciate the running when it is in multiple short bursts…like not 1 mile all at once (yuck) but several 200 meters. This “enjoyment” has come about for me because of Crossfit. I have never liked running before. I have a 0.0 sticker on my car!
What CF movements do you dislike?
wall balls, burpees, thrusters…Turkish get ups are always a little weird.
What sports or fitness things did you do before CF?
Before kids (pre 2011) I was heavily into Yoga. I would do some workouts at a gym (Ymca, LA Fitness, etc,) but mostly some machines and a step class (dating myself?) here and there. Nothing consistent except the Yoga. (Heated Power Vinyasa mainly) Some swimming but I never built up good endurance with that. Biking…walking…dancing (does that count?)
How did you find CF? What was your first workout?
I heard about CF through a really good friend & colleague (Kevin Bray) who does CF at the KOP box. He is really fit and a really normal person so I thought I would give it a try. I can’t remember my first workout but it involved a lot of barbell and cleans and snatches. I do remember not remembering my score at the end.
What’s your favorite thing about CF?
As far as Kanna…I really enjoy the community aspect. I like the people I have met here. A very diverse group of people and supportive about healthy living. About CF the brand…I like that I don’t have to think about what I am going to do for the workout. I like that it’s prescribed and you just do it. With Kanna…I also feel supported both when I want to push further or if one day I feel like I need a step back. I like that I can bring my boys there if I need to. I feel like they are learning healthy living and habits by Michael and I choosing to become apart of this community.
What are your hobbies?
Music. (I play piano. I play guitar really poorly)…I also love to sing and I love to dance. I love to decorate my house in general but really enjoy changing it around for the seasons. I am a terrible gardener but I really enjoy tinkering around. (flowers more than veggies). I love bike riding. I used to do off road…but those days are done. I love to travel…I mostly try to stay off the main path on trips. I like to be in places intensely instead of seeing lots in one place. I love different foods, languages and perspectives so traveling and being in one place for a while is a great way to do that…if you have the time. although I have visited and traveled to many, many countries my fondest memories and most impactful experiences have been in the places where I have lived. (Spain, Germany (the longest) and Panama) Living in a place provides such a different experience. I love to cook…well and eat too! I paint sometime too.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I have severe trypophobia. Look it up and you will understand why! Some people at Kanna may know this after the question of the day once.
Um…maybe that I am a Mason. Well…the female version of that. I was very active in the organization in my 20s. I was the youngest director of a chapter in Western Europe at one point.
What PRs or accomplishments are you most proud of?
2 strict pull ups! I see the most change/improvement in my upper body strength since starting CF.
What’s on your CF bucket list?
Continue to build cardio endurance and continue to increase core strength.
What’s on your general bucket list?
More travel. Start/open my own business. Buy a small house at the beach. Drink more water.
What advice do you have for new (or experienced!) CrossFitters?
Listen to your body and focus on your personal bests. Have fun!
Anything else you’d like to mention?
I love being Mason and Silas’ mom! I love sharing my life with them and watching them grow and learn and laugh. I learn so much from them all the time.
***Kanna members: Leslie’s custom workout will be Sat. 3/14***
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!