Name: Erik $everson
Age: 35
How long you have been a member at CFSC: Just over 8 years
How you got started at CFSC: My lovely wife, Kyra, intended to buy me a few classes for my birthday back in 2010 because she knew I was interested. Instead, she decided she liked it and signed herself up. She eventually allowed me to join as well.
Favorite CrossFit movement: Ninja wallball get-ups, forward rolls, and backwards running (come on Deuce, I just programmed a day for you). Ok my real answer would be anything on the rig (pull-ups, ring dips, MU, toes 2 bar, etc)
Least favorite CrossFit movement: Thrusters – and it’s not even close. Over the years I have learned to find some redeeming quality or value in nearly every hated CF movement…except thrusters. They are merciless and awful.
Favorite healthy food/meal: Meals are pretty clean and boring at the Severson household, but I grill some mean chicken thighs.
Favorite part about CFSC: This is where everyone says “the people!” but I don’t like people. So…my favorite part is the variation of the workouts coupled with the general sense of health & fitness provided by consistent crossfitting.
To be clear, I enjoy individual persons very much and love interacting with all of you individually. But people as a whole? Gross.
Something we don’t know about you: I think I am the longest tenured male member to “win” member of inspiration. Can you call it winning when it was just a mathematical guarantee at some point? So clearly I ooze inspiration.
Ok, I’ll give one serious answer as well. I’m not big on goals at the gym, but I did set a goal for myself last year to be in the best shape of my life when I turned 35. Although it’s difficult to measure general fitness, I’ve been happy with my progress this year.
Words of wisdom for people who are new to CrossFit or interested in trying it: I know most people probably have a favorite coach or two, but I recommend variety when it comes to class times and coaches. I like getting tips / cues from different coaches and using all of it to find what works for me. I could list out every coach at CFSC and a specific example of how they have helped me, but it’s not called “Coaches of Inspiration” so I won’t be doing that.
Name: Elizabeth Nassif
Age: 41
How long you have been a member at CFSC: 7.5yrs
How you got started at CFSC: My husband, Burt, had started on a friend’s recommendation and loved it. I was looking for a way to start losing all the baby weight and he encouraged me to try it.
Favorite CrossFit movement: hang cleans and snatches
Least favorite CrossFit movement: thrusters and squat cleans
Favorite healthy food/meal: dark chocolate… I eat it daily! I also love seafood and nachos with cashew cheese (no, not all together)
Favorite part about CFSC: I love how this isn’t just a gym. It’s a place where my kids are learning amazing values from great people. It’s a place where I have watched Burt become a badass athlete and an inspiring coach. It’s a place where I am supported and encouraged to challenge myself and face my fears. It’s a place that has brought more than just fitness into our lives.
Something we don’t know about you: In college, I worked for a promotion company that put on all the concerts here in Charlotte. Whatever band or musical artist was in town performing, I was their errand girl for the day. I got to meet some awesome artists (like Justin Timberlake, Paul Simon and Dave Matthews) and watched all the shows from backstage. It was an amazing job experience.
Words of wisdom for people who are new to CrossFit or interested in trying it: Over the years, I’ve gone through multiple injuries and setbacks, I’ve had workouts that brought me to tears, and I still struggle with many movements. But this is how I continue to grow. Don’t give up and don’t get discouraged! Consistently showing up and doing something will get you further than doing nothing. Who cares if you don’t “RX” every workout? If you are better today than you were in the past, then you are improving and that is key!