Beth just passed her 500th workout milestone at CFD, so we figured she’d have a story or two to tell. First, it has to be said: Roll Tide. Here’s a deeper look into someone you need to know at CF Dynamo: a conversation with Beth Minor.
CFD: 500 WoDs. That’s a lot of discipline. What keeps you coming back?
BM: Going to the box after work is my daily habit. Unless I have another obligation, I go to CrossFit. At this point, I feel like I’m cheating on myself and my CFD family if I don’t head straight to Dynamo from the office. Plus, with my crazy demanding job and sitting on conference calls all day long, it feels really good to break a sweat after work.
CFD: OK, so let’s get the basics out of the way. Favorite movement and why?
BM: I really have three favorites – toes to bar, deck squats and rope climbs. Toes to bar and deck squats came easy to me. It took over a year of CrossFit for me to get my first rope climb. At 50 years old, I’m very proud of being able to climb a rope.
CFD: Least?
BM: Really don’t have a least favorite movement. I’m not a fan of running but the only way I will get better is to do it.
CFD: Favorite WoD and why?
BM: 9/11 Memorial WOD – it’s an awesome WOD that was very cleverly planned to recognize first responders and everyone else who didn’t survive one of the worst days in this country’s history. It looks intimidating on paper, but once you get into it, it’s not bad. The final 2,001 row sucks but remembering why I was rowing helped my get through. 8’ PR this year!
CFD: Worst WoD?
BM: November 24, 2014 was the only WOD where I wanted to sit down on the floor and cry. 30’ EMOM – 3 deadlifts, 2 hang cleans, 1 push or split jerk and 3 bar over burpees. I was moving too slow and didn’t have enough recovery time before the next minute.
CFD: More Favorite: Lifting PR or Benchmark WoD PR?
BM: #110 1RM Bear Complex – I love the Bear. It was my first WOD after the prep class. When I hit #110 with still more in the tank, I was tickled pink.
CFD: What’s your next short-term goal?
BM: Breaking #100 on my squat snatch. I’ve been stuck at #96 for close to a year.
CFD: Long term?
BM: Double unders and handstand pushups – those are two goats that have taken a long time without any significant progress. Some day …
CFD: What’s the biggest differences you’ve seen over your 500 WoDs here?
BM: Huge improvement in my overall strength, endurance and confidence. My strength gains since February 2013 are insane. I can be in a meeting with a client who is being difficult and in the back of my mind, I’m thinking, “Buddy, I can deadlift you.”
CFD: You’ve been at Dynamo now for nearly 3 years. What got you interested in CrossFit and why did you pick Dynamo?
BM: I was travelling 100% for work for 18 months before CrossFit. I gained weight on the road. When I changed jobs, I committed to myself to start exercising again and live a healthier lifestyle. I was looking at various local gyms and exercise programs. A girlfriend had tried Dynamo and I liked how she described the workout. It was much more appealing to me that going to a globo gym and spending an hour on the treadmill. Ultimately, I decided to do the prep class. It was one month / 12 hours of my life. By two weeks in, I was hooked. I’ve been a regular at Dynamo ever since.
CFD: What were you doing for your fitness before CFD?
BM: Since I was traveling 100%, my fitness consisted of an occasion trip to the hotel gym and playing tennis matches on weekends. Fitness wasn’t a priority in those days. Before life on the road, I was doing cardio and yoga.
CFD: What would you say is your biggest accomplishment since joining CFD has been?
BM: Doing Murph RX this year. It took a long time but I finished.
CFD: In school, did you play any sports?
BM: In elementary and high school, I was a gymnast. In my twenty’s, I completed in judo and karate.
CFD: Where’s the best place in the world for you? Where do you want to explore next?
BM: I don’t get to travel as much as I’d like to. Bora Bora is on my bucket list. It just looks like the most relaxing place on earth.
CFD: Do you have a secret that you don’t mind sharing?
BM: I identify a lot of my clients with cartoon characters or Muppets.
CFD: Quick, what’s your most memorable moment at CFD?
BM: Girls Gone RX 2014 – Christy getting her last pullup and the entire box cheering for her.
CFD: Funniest moment you can remember?
BM: It’s a tie between:
- Getting stuck at the top of the rope during a WOD. My shoe came untied and was wrapped around the rope. The only way I could get down was to wiggle my foot and try to get my shoe laces from around the rope, then climb down.
- At the end of the Dynamo Cup, my attempt to be cool and jump onto a 30 inch box. Instead of landing on my feet, I busted my shin open on the box.
CFD: Thanks Beth for your time! Anything you want to add?
BM: Thank you to the coaches and community at CrossFit Dynamo. I greatly appreciate everyone’s support on this crazy fitness journey. I’m looking forward to the next 500 WODs and the challenges and improvements they bring.