MEMBER OF THE MONTH : Courtney Schupp

  1. How did you get started with CrossFit (in general)?
  2. I got started last May after I spent a few years lifting on my own. It was my resolution to do something that scared me, and CrossFit absolutely qualified!
  1. What did you do before CF for physical fitness?
  2. I ran 4 days a week and lifted 5-6 times per week on my own using the traditional bodybuilding split – leg day, back and bicep, chest and triceps, etc. Looking back, it was incredibly dull and I was NOT seeing the kinds of results I wanted.
  1. Was CrossFit Lando your first experience with CrossFit? If no please share where you were before you came to us.
  2. I emailed Aaron back and forth a few times to see what Lando was like, and finally decided to check out an intro class after work on a Tuesday. I’ve always been with Lando!
  1. Snatching. I don’t have a particular favorite WOD, but since I finally figured out the skill for HSPUs – I love any workout that includes them!
  1. Least favorite lift/movement/wod?
  2. Snatching. I tend to get frustrated with bodyweight movements that I have yet to master (i.e. TTB and Strict Pull-Ups)
  1. What is your biggest/proudest CF accomplishment/moment?
  2. Last week I had two big ones: I PR’ed my snatch after being stuck at the same weight for MONTHS, and on Saturday good ol’ Bud showed me the ropes (literally) and I finally did a few successful rope climbs.
  1. How did you find CFL?
  2. I actually did a TON of research about boxes in Boston because I heard that CrossFit was a really great way to hurt yourself (false!). I wanted to be sure the place I ended up had great coaching and injury prevention, and all of the reviews pointed me in Lando’s direction! (Also…Stacey. Seriously? There was no way I was ending up in Southie.)

PROFESSIONAL/FAMILY LIFE WITH OR WITHOUT LANDO

  1. Where are you from/born/grow up?
  2. Chicago – born and raised! 
  1. What is your current profession or major/desired profession after school?
  2. I am a Tour Consultant at EF Education in Cambridge. I get to help teachers show their kids the world! The short answer? Sales.
  1. Where do you live now?
  2. Davis Square – 5 minutes from Chipotle 
  1. Tell us about your family in any way. Immediate (wife, kids) and/or parents/siblings.
  2. I am one of 6 kids – it’s insane. They’re all in Chicago. Fun fact – we all (annoyingly) have names that start with “C”: Craig, Caitlin, Chris, Courtney, Chelsea and Conner
  1. Anything about your job or family that you want to share?
  2. EF pays for me to travel the world at least twice per year. It’s incredible – and we’re hiring 

HOBBIES/INTERESTS/LIFESTYLE

  1. Do you play any sports outside of CrossFit? Do you do any other kind of training, for health and wellness or for events (Marathons, IronMan, etc.)?
  2. I was a three sport athlete all through high school – Cross country, soccer and basketball. I still run at least twice per week, and am training for a half marathon in May.
  1. What other hobbies do you have non gym/fitness related?
  2. I’m a total history buff. I love traveling around the world and being able to witness and touch things older than I can fathom. I also bake as a form of therapy – so expect cookies at Lando soon! I’m a huge health nut, too!
  1. What major lifestyle changes have you made (willingly or not) since you began CrossFit? Any accomplishments you would like to share(losing weight, stopping smoking, curing disease or improvements in disease related to wellness)?
  2. I got into the sport because I was struggling with gaining muscle. I have been scrawny for as long as I can remember, so my biggest lifestyle change has been learning to be okay with eating more and taking up more space. I’m determined to make those gains, and my biggest accomplishment actually happens weekly – watching my lifts slowing go up and up!
  1. What did you find hardest about becoming a CrossFit enthusiast at CrossFit Lando related to lifestyle? (food/diet changes, social changes, etc.). Everyone has a different experience day in and day out with CrossFit so be open and honest. Maybe someone can help if you are still struggling!
  2. The hardest part of the process for me is coming to terms with literally taking up more space. I focused for so long on shrinking myself, and it wasn’t until I started working with coaches like Stacey and Aaron (and shout out to Kyle and Jack, too!) that I became obsessed with becoming bigger and stronger than I’ve ever been. I still struggle every day with being okay with eating more and running less, but in the end I know it’s for my own benefit.
  1. Share as you feel comfortable one dream or desire you want to or wish you could pursue? Be as wild as you want!
  2. Honestly? I have no idea what I want to do with my life, and I don’t see myself staying in my line of current work for the long haul. What I do know for sure is that the best part of my day is stepping into the gym and working on myself – both mentally and physically. I could be ridiculously happy if I were able to turn that into a career and become a full-time coach (or athlete?). Ha – dream big!

RANDOM INTERESTS

  1. What is your favorite food?
  2. SO HARD. Charcuterie platters. And ice cream (pistachio).
  1. Have you done a CrossFit competition before?
  2. Never – but it definitely is on my list. Its new, scary, and challenging – and 2017 is the year of all three of those things for me.
  1. Olympic Lifting , Powerlifting, any other fitness competing?Nope!
  1. What would you give your best friend in all the world as a vacation if money and time didn’t matter? Vacation, not move or study abroad!
  1. I would send them to Croatia. (have you seen the photos?!)
  1. What is your favorite car, either in general or that you have owned ?
  2. I’m a huge environmentalist – but if I could pick a car it would be an incredibly souped up Ford Mustang. Anything 2013-or newer!
  1. If you won the lottery what is the first thing you would do/buy?
  2. A ticket to Australia.
  1. What would you tell your pre-CrossFit self that is about to take the first class you did back whenever you did.
  2. Pay attention to what YOU are doing – don’t worry so much about what everyone else is doing or thinking. Adopt the mantra “good for them, not for me”. Also, Stacey isn’t as scary as she seems.