The Member Spotlight showcases those who demonstrate the characteristics necessary for success, both in and out of the gym. Sherry has been a member since the early days of CrossFit Infinite Strength and has been a staple of the 7:30am Varsity class! She’s been gracious to open her home to us each summer for our annual member appreciation pool party and we took some time this month to chat with her about her time here at CFIS.
CrossFit became a part of my life over 10 years ago. I have been a lifelong athlete and avid gym rat. A workout partner sent me the website of a local CrossFit Box in Des Moines, IA where I was living at the time. It had a video of people doing pull-ups and other intimidating movements. I responded with, “Heck NO, I can’t do that.” Her response was that I’m sure the women don’t have to do all that, so I agreed to do an introductory class with her. The first thing I saw when we walked into the facility was a woman about our age doing pull-ups. I wanted to walk out right then. Luckily, we didn’t. Our first WOD was 6 minutes long of air squats, sit-ups, and (modified) pull-ups. The next day I was sore everywhere on my body and I was hooked.
I fully embraced the CrossFit lifestyle over the next year. I committed to attending classes 5 days a week. I worked on mobility at home and joined a Whole 30 Food Challenge at my box. At the end of the challenge, I slowly started reintroducing the foods I had eliminated during the challenge and quickly discovered that wheat and other grains were not my friends. I have followed a Paleo diet ever since and have discovered that eating clean enhances my workouts and my health exponentially. Before CrossFit, I used to work out 2-3 hours a day, 5 five days a week. Now, I work out 4-5 days a week for an hour at a time. I have lost over 20 pounds and I’m stronger and healthier now than any time in my 53 years on this planet.
My favorite skill is double unders and least favorite movement is thrusters. I find the Hero WOD’s to be the most challenging workouts, but also the most rewarding. The stories of the Heroes’ lives and deaths motivate me to give it my all and to keep moving to the end. My son, Brandon, who was an avid CrossFitter tragically passed away five years ago. My original CrossFit Box in Iowa and CrossFit Infinite Strength have supportingly created a WOD honoring my son’s life that we all do each year on the anniversary of his passing. Completing this WOD with my fellow CrossFitters touches my heart deeply and has contributed greatly to my healing.
I am a real estate investor of apartments in the Des Moines, Iowa area. Also, I am partners with fellow CrossFit Infinite Strength member, Rocky McKay, in Assisted Living Homes here in the Valley.
I love that every day the workout is something new and that that there is always a skill to improve upon. Right now, I am working to improve my push-ups and snatches. I would like to hit a new PR in my snatch before I turn 54. I will be participating in my 7th CrossFit Open this fall. It will be my last one before I get to move into the scaled division. Finally, I have something to look forward to for getting older!
