Another reason why I love Austin

Do you remember waiting for Santa to drop off your presents? I certainly do. The anticipation, excitement, and dreaming of what I was getting would keep me happy for weeks. My patience was tested, but I was always thrilled when I woke up Christmas morning to my gifts.

I use the example above to represent how excited I am about our new box, CrossFit Central Downtown. This spot symbolizes 7 years of hard work; the fruition and trust of Jeremy & Big Mike's friendship; new opportunities for the entire coaching staff; the ability to touch thousands of more lives in Austin and beyond; space to do day-to-day business operations and collaborate with others; more room for coaches and athletes to train; a top notch training facility for seminars and events.

For some reason, I have been more excited about this box opening up than I have been about anything in a while. Austin, TX to me is one of the greatest places to live. I love the fitness and music scene, restaurants, the lake, night life, races, and FUN of this city. I even recruited my entire family to move to Austin one by one. The location of the new box represents everything that I love about this city and some.  It's partly because it's so close to my house and in the heart of downtown, but also because I am experiencing first hand if you dream it, take action---dreams become reality. The opportunity here is endless. From the 2 indoor facilities to the outside space, it's CrossFit Central, RedBlack, & Relentless Boot Camp all in one.

Thank you Big Mike for finding this killer spot and to Jeremy Thiel for putting a dream into action! I have no doubt CrossFit Central will continue to change the world. This is going to be a fun ride!

PCOS: Training

First day back on the track with tinyFIT

 It feels so good to be back in the swing of things. This year has had it's up and downs. From a bummed foot, to  my PCOS diagnosis, to simply not feeling like Showout Meg, I was ready for a change. I have not been this excited about training in a while. I'm back on the track again running sprints weekly and hitting the bleachers, attending CrossFit classes 2x or 3x per week with Coach Zach and/or Big Mike, and training with the underground strength guru--Travis Holley-- weekly, and planning to make it a 2x/week routine once I find a few more people to join a mid-morning crew.

The longer you are in the fitness arena, the more you learn about your body and how nutrition and the style of training you incorporate make a difference on your outward appearance and performance. I know one thing that is for certain--- explosive, high intensity training works very well for me, especially paired with a day or 2 of heavy lifting. When I tried a different route earlier this year with a different goal in mind, I learned very quickly that it did not work for me. I also believe it goes hand in hand with my battle against PCOS. CrossFit works wonders for women who battle PCOS.

I came across a ton of blog posts highlighting woman after woman and how CrossFit changed their life and healed them from the syndrome. My go-to blog at the moment is Paleo for Women. Stefani Ruper does an incredible job discussing nutrition, CrossFit, and evolutionary health for a female. She is also coming out with a book next month titled, Overcoming PCOS: The Complete Guide to your Personal PCOS Journey and How to Become Fertile, Healthy, and Sexy for Good. Whole 30 had a great success story from a woman who had PCOS and no longer has the diagnosis-- Read on. And, of course Robb Wolf highlights an incredible success story too. In a nutshell, their lives are forever changed!

There is power in knowledge. The more I educate myself on this syndrome, the more empowered and equipped I am to kick it to the curb and share with the masses that anything is possible. What are you battling? Whether it be an auto-immune disease, weight gain, drinking too much soda, a bummed foot, still trying to get that first pullup, nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it and chase after it with vigor.

I have a new found energy for my career, training regimen, and my love of CrossFit. What is stopping you today from being your best self? I challenge you to look it in the face and go after what you want with no regrets.

3, 2, 1 GO.

Chlorophyll

After Jeremy, Big Mike, and Travis returned from a 10-day conference in Fiji with Tony Robbins, they brought back a wealth of knowledge on the importance of alkalinity. Below are characteristics that exist within an acidic culture and an alkaline environment.

ACIDIC ENVIRONMENT- based out of fear

• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Frustration
• Lack of sleep
• Sickness
• Anger
• Stress

ALKALINE ENVIRONMENT- based out of love & passion

• Easy
• Fun
• Happy
• Clarity
• Harmony
• Trust
• Energy
• Relaxed
• Empowered
• Focus

I know I want to be living in an alkaline state at all times, and Jeremy challenged our staff to be doing the same. We all tested our acidity using pH test strips. The 1st time I tested it I was wayyyyyyyyy acidic. I'm still convinced I messed up; however, the past two times I've tested my acidity levels I've been at 7.2 and 7.0--->ALKALINE. Go here for more details on a pH balance ranges..

One thing I added to my normal routine is 1TB of Chlorophyll to my water. I found my bottle of Chlorofresh (pictured above) at Whole Food's. It has a mint flavor and is very refreshing. Chlorophyll acts as an internal deodorant. It helps to balance glucose levels, is a high alkaline source, and balances pH. I recommend anyone adding this to their daily regimen, especially those that test acidic.

If you don't know where to start to get alkaline, go here for a detailed listing of acidic and alkaline foods. I choose to live in the culture of love and passion. Here's to thriving in an alkaline state!

Zilker Relays

Manzano Mile Relay...now on to the next one...

Zilker Relays are right around the corner. I ran last year with Big Mike, Jen C, and Web. We had a blast! I am competing again this year with 3 other coaches at CrossFit Central. I feel more ready than ever for the 2.5 mile loop.

Consistently over the past few months I have done a weekly track workout. The training includes explosive intervals with short, timed rest breaks. Just this past Friday I did the following:

3 rounds-
300m sprint, rest 90sec
200m sprint, rest 60sec
100m sprint, rest 45 sec

4 minute break

Barefoot on the football field---
10 yd sprint, 10 yd back peddle, 20 yd sprint-- x 6 with 30 seconds rest

Over the next few weeks I will focus more on timed intervals, similar to the workout above, and include a few more CrossFit workouts with 400m, 600m, and 800m runs as well as drop into a Relentless Boot Camp once a week.

Watch out for Team CrossFit Central on September 2nd!

RedBlack Gym

I have the privilege of working out with some bad A$$es 4x/week and getting coached by one of the best, Coach Big Mike. The video above is a compilation of the day of an athlete at the RedBlack Gym. At 1:15 every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday it's go time.

Big kudos to Jessica Estrada for putting the video together. Skill work for Friday is butterfly pull-ups. I will be a gymnastic skill-set guru. WATCH.

Muscle-Up!!!!

One of my 3 month goals is to get a muscle-up. Every Monday I will practice a muscle-up. Today was the 1st day of truly taking action. Big Mike encouraged me to just jump on the rings and do it. With a spot from him, I GOT IT!!!

Check out the video HERE. 

A big thanks to Adrien for recording. Now the next step is no spot---so close.

Team ShowFlash

Team ShowFlash minus Jen C.

Jen C.- get off your tippy toes =)

View more showout pics HERE.

A handful of CrossFit Central coaches and clients competed in the Zilker Relays on Friday night. This was my 1st time to participate in the event, and I had a total blast. The location is across the bridge from where we have UTB each month. It felt like home. There was music and everyone was having a good time and hanging out. A complete chill event, and the perfect way to kick off Labor Day weekend.

Jen C., Big Mike, Web, and I raced on a team together--Team SHOWFLASH. We got 9th out of 26 teams in our division. As Web put it, Not bad for not being "runners." The event consisted of each team member running 2.5 miles and then passing the band to the next relay member. I ran a 16:55! I was super-pleased with my time. The 4x/week training at SicFit Austin with Big Mike, and my Wednesday interval track workouts are paying off.

One of my goals is to be more involved in the fitness community in Austin. Send me an email if there is an event coming up that myself and the CrossFit Central coaches can participate.

My next event...the Austin 1/2 marathon in February. 1st time ever!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

1:15 is my new favorite time

I did my 1st workout at SicFit Austin today and absolutely loved it. I worked out along side Heather, Chad, and Walt. I have been back and forth about joining a class for a while due to my schedule; however, today I decided that 1:15 every Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri is Showout Meg workout time with Big Mike. When I first started at CrossFit Central I was a client of Mike's. I remember leaving my previous job each day to drive up to Central to get in a workout with my class and being so excited just to be there. Today I had that same feeling again. I honestly fell in love with working out all over again. It was great!!! Training my weaknesses...ring pull-ups, ring dips, handstand pushups. Big Mike could not have said it better...I need my upper body strength to catch up with my leg strength. All in due time.

I left today with my butt kicked but with a new found energy. I did not feel bogged down, mentally drained, nor beat down today. I forget at times how important it is to have a coach. To have that time each week for someone else to train you up and make you better. The pictures above do not do much justice. We all were filthy, sweaty, but rejuvenated.

How do you feel after you leave a CrossFit Central Indoor or Relentless class? Are you renewed and ready for more in 2 days?