DANIELLE DRESSEL is BBCF’s March 2015 Athlete of the Month!
Danielle shows up with a smile and great attitude each day. She’s a natural athlete. She works hard. She understands the importance of working on her weaknesses, good form and technique. She put in the time learning the lifts correctly and now after 6 months at Blackbird, her gains on the bar are skyrocketing. Because of Danielle’s humble attitude and strong work ethic, she has been a leader in the gym. The most impressive aspect of Danielle is not her strength or performance in WODs, it’s her giving spirit. During the Century HS Run of the Century, instead of showing off her long distance running skills, she stayed beside one of our members who was nervous about running her 1st 5K. She donated her time to come in her police uniform and speak to our daughter’s Daisy Troop about respecting authority. And she’s the first one to turn and support her fellow athletes as they finish a tough WOD. The list of selfless, community-minded giving goes on and on. We have been impressed with this young woman since we met her and we are honored to recognize her as our March Athlete of the Month! Meet Danielle…
1. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF.
My name is Danielle Dressel, but Danielle Olsen on Wodify 🙂 I am a newlywed with 2 dogs and a cat. I have worked for the Montgomery County Police Department for almost 7 years and recently made Detective.
2. WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START CROSSFIT? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING IT?
I have always been an athlete, but I started my CrossFit journey with Blackbird CrossFit in August 2014. Prior, I had a part time job as a bootcamp style workout instructor, but had never dabbled with CrossFit. By virtue of moving to this area, I could no longer instruct due to distance and was curious what all the “hype” about CrossFit was. I fell in love with it and keep coming back for more.
3. WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS AFTER YOUR 1st WOD?
After my first WOD, I felt exhilarated. It was a great workout and I enjoyed being pushed to my limits. I thought of myself as generally in pretty good shape, but it was a humbling experience to say the least!
4. WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST CROSSFIT MOMENT?
My proudest CrossFit moment was competing in my first competition. I took second place in the scaled division, beating out 16 other girls! Outside of that competition, I am proud of seeing my progress in the past six months. Even if it is a one pound PR or making my 3 rep max my new 5 rep max, I’m proud of myself and every one else who walks in the door each day.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVEMENT/LIFT? LEAST FAVORITE?
My favorite CrossFit lift is the Bear Complex. I enjoy how it encompasses multiple movements in one. My least favorite CrossFit movement is double unders, but I’m working on them!
7. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHEAT MEAL?
My favorite cheat meal hands down is peanut butter… as in straight out of the jar with a spoon. I don’t follow a strict paleo diet, but Blackbird CrossFit has helped me to develop long term healthier eating habits and be more cognizant about my food choices. The better you fuel your body, the better it will perform. I’ve seen this in myself, as well as fellow athletes at the box.
8. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT CROSSFIT?
What I enjoy most about CrossFit is not necessarily work-out related. I enjoy the community that it creates within the box. Every one pushes themselves and each other to be better and work hard every day. It creates accountability within the group. I look forward to coming to Blackbird CrossFit not only to work out, but also to hang out with the friends that I never would have met otherwise. I typically go to the 9:30am class and we have such a great time!
9. WHAT IS THE ONE TIP YOU WOULD GIVE SOMEONE CONSIDERING CROSSFIT OR NEW TO CROSSFIT?
My advice to someone considering CrossFit would be to forget every stereotype you have ever heard and try it for yourself. The coaches always have a modification if you are injured or physically unable to perform a movement/lift just yet. There is a scaled version of each workout, so it doesn’t matter if you can’t do a workout as prescribed just yet. Most importantly, no one is going to judge you. In fact, it’s the complete opposite – everyone there wants you to succeed and will cheer you on until the very last rep!
10. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?
My CrossFit goal is to be a “jack-of-all-trades and a master at none.” I want to be a better all-around athlete, but my specific goals are to master hand stand push ups and strict pull ups. I am making progress (albeit small steps at a time), towards both of these goals. I’m not quite there just yet, but practice makes perfect!
11. WHAT HAS CROSSFIT DONE FOR YOU IN AND OUT OF THE BOX?
CrossFit has impacted me in the gym by truly pushing me out of my comfort zone. I have ran six marathons and over 15 half marathons, I’ve done triathlons and enjoy “running for fun,” but I have never been in better shape physically until I started doing CrossFit. The competition against myself drives me to work hard. I know I won’t PR every day and some days the weights just feel heavy, but tomorrow is another day.
FREEWRITE:
Blackbird CrossFit is the whole package. The facilities are better than any other I’ve seen in the area and classes are offered throughout the day, not just early morning and the evening. The trainers are personable and knowledgeable; they will not give up on you until you understand and master the movement, but will also call you out if your form is not proper so as not to hurt yourself. Each trainer has their own coaching cues or ways of explaining a movement that helps in different ways. The owners actually care about you, your health, your progress, your family and your well-being. I am proud to be a part of Blackbird CrossFit!
