December Athlete of the Month: Sharon Wetherall
Congratulations, Sharon! You are our NoCoast Athlete of the Month!!!
Sharon’s a BAD A$$ CHICKA! She’s from Australia and has competed for her country at the World and professional level in triathlons. Sharon and Paul are parents to 3 boys and she also works as a fulltime anesthesiologist. We don’t know how she manages her busy life, but she is consistently at the gym crushing workouts and putting everything she has into them everyday. We appreciate her hard work, enthusiasm to learn and grow as an athlete, and positive attitude! Keep it up, Sharon!! Age/Weight: 47, 130 lbs Athletic/Sports history/highlights: Competitive open water swimmer, represented Australia in triathlon (Olympic distance) at the Commonwealth games and World Championships, competed as a professional triathlete on the USTS circuit for 3 years. Recently won SUP races throughout Colorado. How long have you been CrossFitting? Approx 3 years How did you get into CrossFit? I had pain in my left shoulder from years of swimming, and I was tired of looking at the black line on the bottom of the pool. I knew nothing about Crossfit...walked into a local affiliate, tried a class and loved it. What is your favorite WOD/CrossFit movement? I have an aerobic endurance background so I love the long chipper workouts, but I also love the weightlifting, not because I am good at it, actually because I have a lot to improve on! What is your least favorite WOD/CrossFit movement? Anything that takes me upside down or off the ground. Years of swimming had me planted firmly on the ground so handstands and rope climbs test my sense of balance, and trust in my ability! Even talking about it makes my palms sweat!
What is your most memorable CrossFit moment? The first workout...I thought I was fit until I tried Crossfit and had my butt handed to me! I remember I couldn’t do a pull-up or push up when I started! When I got my first pull up I felt AMAZING! Most recently I am happy to be running again (after injury) and to have graduated to a heavier dumbbell/kettlebell during WODs. How does nutrition play a role in your fitness and recovery? Nutrition is the key to my training. Without proper replenishment I could not come back day after day! When I started Crossfit I my body fat percentage was HIGH, I weighed 145 lbs. Now I weight 130 lbs and have been able to decrease my body fat percentage. I have tried many many eating plans: eat to perform, zone, weighing my food, and have finally found the one that works for me. I now eat vegan and my body is the happiest and strongest it has ever been. How has CrossFit improved your overall wellness? I am stronger and more confident in my physical ability than ever before. I am more flexible (thanks to ROMWOD). I can run after the school bus if the kids forget their lunch, or pick up the Yeti cooler full of food without asking for help. I am physically independent! How has CrossFit changed your family? I have 3 boys. They see me working out and getting stronger, they see my daily commitment, they say they want to be like me… Advice to new people: Find what YOU love, commit to it and do it, no excuses. And smile and have fun doing it!!!