Tiffany Kraisser is Blackbird CrossFit’s September Athlete of the Month! We opened this vote up to all of the coaches and each of them overwhelmingly agreed that she was a fantastic choice. Tiffany is a natural with the bar. She is incredibly strong and inspires everyone, especially the women, in our box to try a little harder and lift a little heavier. Aside from her impressive 145lb Split Jerk, 235lb Back Squat, and 265lb Deadlift, Tiffany has also become an important part of our Blackbird community in 3 short months. She gets it. She feels it. She is willing to work for it. She has a huge heart, a humble spirit and an insanely eager desire to learn and improve. Meet TIFFANY KRAISSER…
1. Tell us about yourself. 
My name is Tiffany Kraisser and I am 23 years old. Born and raised in Maryland. I grew up in Laurel and then later moved to Carroll County for high school. I attended Century High School, completed my first year of college at Howard Community College and will be returning to finish my college career this winter for Exercise Science and Business! I’m so excited to have finally found the right direction for me! I also attended The Temple: A Paul Mitchell Partner School, in downtown Frederick, and am a licensed cosmetologist. I still do hair on the side and hope to incorporate that into my future, as well. I have big dreams, and I plan to chase them hard!
2. What made you want to start CrossFit? How long have you been doing it?
I was first introduced to CrossFit by one of my best friends, Kayla. She had been doing CrossFit for about a year, and told me she was going to take me to class while I was out in California visiting her. So, I got online and researched what I was getting myself into. Half excited, mostly terrified, I walked into my first class. I absolutely loved it! When I got home it took me a couple months to find my home at Blackbird, but I now have been a member since the end of May!
3. What were your thoughts after your 1st WOD?
My first WOD at Blackbird was Fran. Fran and I don’t get along. Or I should say, thrusters and I don’t get along! But I did it with prescribed weight on the bar and banded pull ups. I walked out knowing I was going back again! I loved that the feelings that I had at CrossFit No Boundaries in CA were the same feelings that I had leaving Blackbird; a sense of community, competition, and just pure excitement.
4. What were your goals when you 1st started?
My goals when I first started were to go as far as I can with this sport and Olympic lifting. Goals I’ve developed so far are un-assisted pull ups, double unders, and really working on snatches and overhead squats. I’m still working on all of them and seeing constant improvement!
5. What are they now?
They’re still pretty similar because I haven’t accomplished them all yet, but I really want to start competing more! I loved participating in the Baltimore Area CrossFit Affiliate Team (BACFAT) competitions this Summer with Blackbird and want to try individual competitions. I have dreams of participating in Olympic lifting competitions, as well! My smaller goals will always be improving skill work. There are so many movements that I need to develop and I’m willing to work hard for them!
6. What do you enjoy most about CrossFit?
Oh gosh, what I enjoy most about CrossFit is everyone I get to see everyday! Really though, the friendships I’ve created in a short time are such a testament to the CrossFit community. Of course I love lifting …heavy ☺ I love pushing myself to new levels I didn’t think I could get to. But it wouldn’t be the same without my Blackbird family!
7. What is your favorite CrossFit movement/lift? Least favorite?
My most favorite lift would be either back squats or split jerks; I love split jerk day! My least favorite would be strict press or ring dips, aka I need to work on my upper body strength!
8. What is the one tip you would give someone considering CrossFit or new to CrossFit?
Stop thinking, walk in the door, and really give it a chance. If you do that, you’ll see that you had nothing to be afraid of! Sure there will be good and bad days, and sometimes you’ll get frustrated, but that’s what your CF friends are there for! Don’t half ass it, give it a shot, and you’ll be amazed at how much you will fall in love with CF and this community! (Yup, I drank the kool-aid.)
9. Results? Tell us about your results.
Results can be seen in so many different ways. Mentally, I have seen huge strides in what I thought I was capable of. Mental strength is such a huge part of everyday life, and something that I really want to always be working on. Physically, my body has really started changing. But my favorite results are the numbers I’m gaining on the bar! I have seen some awesome gains in a lot of my lifts, and I can’t wait to see what I can accomplish. But that can’t be said without giving my coaches a huge thank you!
10. What has CrossFit done for you in and out of the box?
CrossFit has done so much for me in and out of the box. In the box, I have gotten so much stronger. But that is also true out of the box as well. I have been able to look at life differently, and know that I can accomplish anything. If that wasn’t cheesy enough, I just also feel like this is what I am supposed to be doing. Something just clicks when I’m there doing a WOD, and it’s an awesome feeling.
FREEWRITE :
I am so thankful for the Titus family and everything that they do to make Blackbird what it is. Without their love of CrossFit, and their commitment to the Blackbird community, we wouldn’t have what we do. Everyone comes from different backgrounds, different careers, and age groups; but what we all have in common is a love of CrossFit. And I think that’s pretty awesome. So congratulations Matt and Rebekah. You’re changing lives everyday and we are so thankful for you!