Name: Terri Sessions
Age: 57
How long you have been a member at CFSC: 9 months
How you got started at CFSC: Bucci Industries Wellness Program
Favorite CrossFit movement: Deadlift
Least favorite CrossFit movement: Attempting Double Unders (Ouch!). I bet when I can string several together I will answer “The Bike”.
Favorite healthy food/meal: Salmon and Roasted Veggies
Favorite part about CFSC: The support and camaraderie of staff/members; from cheering me on when I am the last to finish a WOD, to showing me what to look for in a jump rope, to offering me use of a generator or a place to stay when a storm knocked out electricity for a whole day. CFSC is a safe place to physically challenge myself while being emotionally and mentally supported.
Something we don’t know about you: I’m scared of heights. Actually, no, I’m scared of the sudden stop I’d make if I fell from a high place.
Words of wisdom for people who are new to CrossFit or interested in trying it: Come and join us! It’s a great place to find out what you are capable of doing. Then, with some honest effort, surprising yourself at how much you have improved. You will work really hard but have so many laughs!
Name: Well, well, well…If you thought you were going to get an easy answer from me on any these questions, phrases, or one word dictions, then you have zero idea who I am. Where to start? WHERE TO START? I know! I am the one you hear whispers about in the non 5 AM classes. I am the one who willingly chooses to work out wearing tights, a sweatshirt, and sometimes the infamous “Black Mask” on any day of the year. I am the one who will break out an Acapella whenever the music stops assuming that particular song was on point. Yes, it is I, Kentrel Owens! KO for short!
Age: According to Merriam-Webster, age can be simply deemed as “the period contemporary with a person’s lifetime or with his or her active life” (“Age”). With that definition firmly rooted into your mind, you can now easily comprehend that I am a YOUNG 31 years old with some OLD people tendencies. In reality though, Aaliyah illustrated it best, “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number!”
How long you have been a member at CFSC: Although you may believe that I have been a member for an extended period of time, my first day at Live Active Charlotte was on January 1st, 2020. On this New Year’s Day, a bright eyed newcomer walked into the doors for the first time. Of course, most classes were cancelled since it was a Holiday which meant that the scheduled classes were a lot larger than normal. As any new person can articulate, I was just trying to not look like a fool. The workout was “Home Alone 2,” which was 10 rounds of 20 Goblet Squats (70/53), 20 Burpees, 20 Goblet Reverse Lunges (70/53), and 20 GHD Sit-Ups. The kicker though, people had the opportunity to do it alone or with a partner. Well, shucks! AIN’T NO ONE GOING TO WORKOUT WITH THE NEW GUY ON SUCH A HARD WORKOUT WHO JUST WALKED IN! So, yes, I did it by myself… RX! That’s scary right?! You’re now holding your breath with a drench sweat and you didn’t even notice it. Let me tell you the real kicker! Remember this is my first day EVER at this location! I haven’t met anyone and I know no one. Well during one of my sets, Coach T, who I did not know at the time and I believe was straight up flexing the whole class, whips her head around during one of the movements and finally notices me swimming in a pool of my own lonesome sweat. Do you know what she said to me?! No, she didn’t say I am doing great! She doesn’t come to critique my form! She says, “Who are you?! I’ve never seen you before! Did you do On-Ramp?! WHAT IS YOUR NAME?!!!!” With my heart already beating out of my chest and tongue sticking out, I am now even more nervous and stutter my name while crying Buffy said I didn’t need it. T, without hesitation, responds, “OK.” Yeah, why am I still here?!
How you got started at CFSC: After doing CrossFit and other various activities at the Harris YMCA for two years prior, I wanted to utilize a real “box” dedicated to strictly CrossFit. Thus, I used the trusty internet to the find the best option…or whichever one was the closest to me. I set up an appointment with Coach Buffy and she grilled me about my lifestyle. After feeling underwhelmed with all my responses, she allowed me to join the gym after the New Year. We all saw what happened on that day…
Favorite CrossFit movement: UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH…Lemme think. I don’t like that or that…that one other movement is stupid so definitely not that. Wait, what about… Naw, hate that one too. I guess my favorite would have to be Double Unders. I choose this movement not because I’m especially great at it because I am 100% NOT, but rather, I was ecstatic about finally completing a WOD with them. Yeah, that’s a good answer. Thank you for agreeing!
Least favorite CrossFit movement: O, this is so EASY! Anyone who works out at the 5 AM class knows exactly what I am about to write. Coach T also knows what is coming. Before I even delve into the name of that movement, just know that Coach T explicitly called me a “Weak ASS B****” after she spent an hour teaching me the movement. This dreaded exercise is simply known as the “Snatch!” Every day I see snatch on the WOD, I know that I am going to be heckled into oblivion by my “friends.” It’s so fun when the whole class watches me struggle on the warm-up because I’m not utilizing my hips enough. As Shakira so elegantly puts it, “My Hips Don’t Lie,” and I truly do suck at the “Snatch!”
Favorite healthy food/meal: I’m not really sure I have a favorite healthy food. They are all just…so…healthy and that’s not fun at all! With that being said, my healthy days always consist of egg whites, some type of breakfast meat, and spinach omelet sandwich with a side of Oikos protein yogurt. I eat that meal everyday at 4 PM. Since it’s been a staple of my diet for awhile, I guess technically that is my favorite healthy meal.
Favorite part about CFSC: My favorite part concerning the gym is the atmosphere that each member consistently contributes to each and every day. We all come from different backgrounds and upbringings, but these facts never alter the inclusive vibe within our own little family. We all have the ability to lean on each other when the times get tough, laugh uncontrollably at any hilarious or sometimes embarrassing event, or vent with our gym family concerning our outside gym activities. Most gyms do not have the ability to contribute to this spectacular welcoming environment. Thank you all for being true to yourselves and allowing me to feel comfortable being myself!
Something we don’t know about you: You may have already assumed this, but I am a HUGE geek. I love reading comics, watching anime, playing videogames, daydreaming about superheroes, or even spending time trying to learn a new language. I am not ashamed of my nerd tendencies so your cruel bullying will have zero impact on my self-esteem. Let’s be honest, once I finish transcribing this autobiography, I may just watch the Avengers get curb stomped by Thanos once again. For all my fellow geeks, let your freak flag fly high! #GeeksUnited
Words of wisdom for people who are new to CrossFit or interested in trying it: I have a few mottos that I like to spit here and there. I believe the one that potentially has the most impact on an individual can be depicted with this array of words: “It’s never too late until it’s too late.” I utilize this line in order to remind myself, friends, family, or anyone who ever doubts their ability in whatever area. Until proven otherwise, time is finite. We never know when our last breath will be used on this earth. However, we have the capacity as humans to accomplish extraordinary tasks. I’ve seen countless individuals not give in to their various battles by conquering each one. There is no timeline or blueprint to success. Everyone has their own story to write. So, if you have the desire to do CrossFit, but have doubt, remember, “It’s never too late until it’s too late.” If you’re trying to better your own personal relationships in one or way another, but feel hopeless in the journey, “It’s never too late until it’s too late.” All we can do each and every day is live the best way we know how and continue striving to be better than yesterday. Thank you for your time friends and family and much love to you all! – KO
Anything Else: Whoa, whoa, whoa! I had no idea everyone wanted an encore. No, I did not add this to the very end. Why would you accuse me of such malarkey? ANYWAY, I would like to thank all the coaches who have taken the time to ensure proper technique and continue to utilize words of encouragement to all members. To my CrossFit Endurance people, my Achilles have taken me out the game momentarily, but just know I miss lapping…I mean, running with you all! When I heal up, I’ll be back and can’t wait to join back in the running shenanigans. To the random fitness enthusiasts I see on the weekends or the rare non 5 AM classmates, I greatly appreciate you allowing me to invade your workouts! Furthermore, to my 5 AM clique, thank you for truly accepting me as one of yours! Thank you for accepting my squeaky moonwalk I choose to do during Buffy’s coaching. Thank you for accepting my obnoxiously loud intrusions at any point of time. Thank you for becoming my friends… except Chad and Eric. EFF THOSE GUYS! Most importantly though, thank you for pushing me to be a better CrossFitter in every sense of the word! FINALLY, this last shout out goes to Terri! I am not sure why I would even be considered for any recognition, but yours is truly deserved! You are an inspiration to every class you choose to bless with your presence. Your energy, happiness, and genuine kindness you display are, indeed, special and obvious for anyone to notice! I am very humbled to share the month of August with you!