Patti Kraisser is BBCF’s October 2015 Athlete of the Month!
I will never forget Patti’s first month at Blackbird. She was willing to give it a try at her daughter’s nudging. She point blank told me that she would only be doing it 2 days a week because she had joined another gym with a friend and they were going to be accountability buddies. I admired that. Fast forward 1 month and Patti has an unlimited membership! From the beginning Patti never backed down from a challenge, never used age as an excuse, and never gave up. You can see the fire, drive, and determination in her eyes when attempting a PR in lifts, or perfecting technique, or pushing the last few minutes of a workout. Last year during her first Paleo Challenge, we saw the real fire ignite. She was diligent and dedicated, and it paid off with a whittled waistline and a huge cash prize for 1st place overall and 1st place in WOD improvement. Her body truly began to change. And with a new found understanding of fueling her body properly, Patti is seeing the results that she has been working so hard for in the gym.
I haven’t even mentioned how strong this woman is! We usually don’t throw out stats for our Athletes of the Month because performance is only a small part of our criteria, but Patti is quite impressive for only lifting for one year. She can dead lift 275lbs, bench press 143lbs, shoulder press 90lbs, push press 130lbs, clean 130lbs, and even though she claims to dislike overhead squats, she can still squat while holding 100lbs in the air! She is active in our CrossFit community, participates in all of our activities, attends all of the competitions to cheer on her daughter and fellow athletes, and always has a positive attitude.
Now, Patti is getting goals and seeking out new challenges left and right. She signed up for a 10K and has been training hard. She runs on her own, she comes in before her workouts to get in extra miles, she joined our Endurance Club, and she’s constantly taking seconds off her mile pace. She has even signed up for her 1st CrossFit competition! She’s putting in extra practice with the competition WODs and Patti will be kicking some tail at the Festivus Games in 2 weeks! Like all of our Athletes of the Month, Patti is such an inspiration to us and to all of our athletes at BBCF. She’s humble and incredibly supportive of everyone else, so she deserves this recognition and praise tenfold. We are so lucky to call her a Blackbird! Meet Patti…
Hi! My name is Patti Kraisser, I’m 48 years old and have been married to Mark for 29 years; everyone knows our daughter Tiffany. I have been a hairstylist for over 30 years and I still love what I do! Other than working out, I like to read, watch movies and sometimes too much Netflix, and I’ve recently become addicted to Candy Crush.
2. WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START CROSSFIT? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING IT?
Tiffany is the reason I started CrossFit! I have always worked out with group fitness programs or trainers, and I always thought that I had a pretty good handle on health and fitness. I was intimidated at first to try CrossFit, but after watching Tiffany at a competition, I thought, “Ok I can try this.” I have been coming to BBCF for over a year now and I love the feeling of constantly challenging myself and love how strong my endurance has gotten. Being a hairstylist is physical; and I feel like I can now keep doing it for another 20 years.
3. WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS AFTER YOUR 1st WOD?
After my 1st WOD, I was like, “WOW! Girl you need to get your act together!” This is totally different then your usual gym routine! Intense and fast!
4. WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST CROSSFIT MOMENT?
There are so many proud moments! Here are my Top 3: 1. Winning the Paleo Challenge last October. 2. Taking my one mile run from 11:55 to 9:03. 3. Climbing the rope to the top…last time I did that was 2nd grade!
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVEMENT/LIFT? LEAST FAVORITE?
I have 2 favorite lifts. Bench Press and Dead Lift! My least favorite of course is Overhead Squat! Other than pull ups and double unders, I enjoy all of the other movements that we do. Those are my challenges at the moment.
6. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT CROSSFIT?
What I enjoy most about CrossFit is the people and the coaches! I look forward to seeing people that I haven’t seen in awhile from different classes and working with all of the coaches.
7. WHAT ARE YOUR CROSSFIT GOALS? HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO REACHING THEM?
I have 3 main goals right now. The first is training for the Across the Bay 10k on November 8th. So I have been working hard on improving my running! Also, being able to perform unassisted pull ups and consistent double unders. Pull ups I’m at able to do 2-3 strict pull ups with the skinny red band and for my double unders, I’m at single-single-double. I’m getting so close; it’ll happen!
8. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE NEW TO CROSSFIT OR THINKING OF GIVING IT A TRY?
The best tip I could give someone about CrossFit…start doing it! It will change your life, body, and outlook!
9. IF YOU COULD CREATE YOUR FAVORITE WOD, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Hmmmmm I’m going to go with 100 burpees for time! I have done this twice at home, so I’d like to have it on record here at the gym and beat my home time.
10. IN YOUR OWN WORDS, WHAT MAKES CROSSFIT DIFFERENT THAN OTHER FITNESS PROGRAMS THAT YOU’VE TRIED IN THE PAST?
I would have to say what makes CrossFit different than other fitness programs is twofold: how fast and intense it is and the people. When I look at the WOD and it’s a tough one, I just think to myself, “Well, it will be over in 12 minutes!” And the last few minutes of that, I can certainly say that someone is going to be there rooting you on and I’m always able to that I find energy that I didn’t know I still had!
11. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND/OR THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DEDICATION TO TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF?
I would have to say the best advice about health and physical activity is that you have to take responsibility for yourself and your future! We are living longer and I want to stay off medications and keep my independence for as long as I can!
Thank you Matt and Rebekah for opening Blackbird CrossFit! Your belief in CrossFit shows in your dedication, support, and guidance. And having all of these extra classes and seminars, like the nutrition seminar, yoga, Master Your Mobility with Dr. Chip Bleam, CrossFit Kids, etc. has benefitted everyones life! To my coaches, you all are awesome too! I appreciate what each of you bring to BBCF and I could not imagine not being a part of it!