As I sit down to write this profile piece on Lauren Hunt, our amazing May Athlete of the Month, I’m typing and erasing and jumping from one incomplete paragraph to another. My usual description of our highlighted athletes just isn’t working to describe how we all feel about her. So, I’m going to pull a first and write this from first person perspective. I’ve had the honor of being one of her main coaches since she a regular at the 9:30am class, a.k.a. “Mom’s Club.” So, I’ve watched her physical and emotional transformation up close. And as it so often goes in our close-knit CrossFit community, she has now become a treasured and adored friend.
Fifteen months ago she walked in our doors just thinking she wanted to lose some baby weight after the birth of her 3rd beautiful daughter. Instantly I adored this woman. She is full of positive energy and kindness. She is always smiling and laughing, until you say 3, 2, 1, GO or put a barbell in her hand; then she’s all business and laser focused. She always gives me 110% each class. She is the type of person that cannot give you any less, with a competitive drive to always do better. As soon as you see her move, you can tell that she’s a former D-1 collegiate athlete. Her body awareness is amazing. It takes one simple cue and she can correct a fault. So, from the beginning coaching her was extra fun and I knew that she would excel quickly.
Fast forward a year and this woman is crushing weights, dialing in her diet, and working hard on her gymnastics skills. Lauren excelled in her first Open this year and was a key player in helping her team win first place honors– had to add that in there since she was on my team! Go Team Darkhorse! She was then brave enough to try her first CrossFit competition in February and immediately signed up for her second. Don’t get me wrong, we don’t just celebrate those athletes who lift heavy and love to compete– that’s not the majority of our membership. But watching a fellow tired-mom finally do something for herself that turns into a lifestyle change, a confidence booster, and a renewed fire lit within, is a powerful thing! And she deserves this honor ten times over.
So, not only can this chic do strict pull ups and dips, shoulder press 95lbs, push press 135lbs, back squat 235lbs, deadlift 255lbs, and clean 150lbs, she can make you look and feel beautiful! Her talent goes beyond the barbell and being a great mom. She has quickly become Blackbird’s resident hairstylist. She opened the cutest salon, LMH Hair Studio, inside her home in Eldersburg almost two years ago. I personally love sitting there talking business ownership, motherhood, and CrossFit while she works her magic!
If you can’t tell, I’m a super-fan! Now check out her version of the story. MEET LAUREN HUNT…
1.TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF.
Wow, such an honor!! My name is Lauren Hunt, I am 33 and live here in Sykesville with my husband Zac and my three girls, Lilly, Emma and Abby. I am a hairstylist and own my own salon out of my house- LMH Hair Studio. I went to Mount St. Mary’s University, got a degree in business and played midfield for their division 1 lacrosse team.
2. WHAT MADE YOU START CROSSFIT?
After having kids I knew I wanted to get into some sort of workout program, but did not know what. My friends Ashley Weber and Bianca Coulson talked me into joining Blackbird. I never thought I would want to do CrossFit, but I was way wrong!! From the first day until now, I have experienced a level of encouragement and support that I never though possible. When I first started, I just wanted to loose the baby weight and feel somewhat in shape. I had no idea it would be so much more than that! My motivation remains but it has deepened on so many levels. I want to live a healthy and strong life now and always!
3. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED SINCE JOINING BLACKBIRD?
I have learned that it’s not just about the number on the scale but about being healthy and strong. I have learned a lot about nutrition and the best ways to fuel my body. I love how I can be a good role model and show my girls how to grow up being strong women.
4.WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BLACKBIRD OR CROSSFIT IN GENERAL?
I enjoy the people, the coaches, the owners, and the entire community that Matt and Rebekah have created. I think CrossFit in general is a pretty unique and incredible community, but I don’t think anyone stacks up to what Blackbird has to offer! I also like the feeling of being an athlete again. After playing lacrosse in college, I have missed the competitive nature and pushing myself on a physical level. CrossFit has certainly filled that void!!!
5. WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST CROSSFIT MOMENT? 
Haha! Honestly, the other day when Gittermann and I were cleaning and both hit major PRs- that was one of my most exciting moments! I am still on a high from that day! Also, seeing my results after both nutrition challenges and doing my first competition at the Granite Games were other exciting moments for me! I look forward to the next one and more after that 😉
6. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVEMENT/LIFT? LEAST FAVORITE?
I like the cardio filled WODs but also I am a fan of lifting heavy weight. ☺ Since kipping of any kind is not my strong suit, basically anything on the rig is my least favorite. But I’m hoping to soon change that!
7. WHAT ARE YOUR CROSSFIT GOALS? HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO REACHING THEM?
I think I will always be trying to improve and be better all around. Working on my kipping pull ups and handstand push ups are top of my list at the moment.
8. WHAT IMPACT HAS BLACKBIRD HAD ON YOUR LIFE IN AND OUT OF THE GYM?
I feel like it has taught me how to be a better person all around… not only in the gym, but with my family and at work and within my relationships with friends and family. I have wanted to share the tools that CrossFit has given me and I have learned that it can be for EVERYONE. CrossFit does not have to be for the most athletic– you can start from any level of fitness, which is something else I love about it!
9. WHEN YOU’RE CROSSFITTING, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO?
Spending time with my friends and family.
10. WHAT IS ONE FUN THING ABOUT YOU THAT WE MAY NOT KNOW YET?
I have a big family with 35 first cousins.
11. THE ONE TIP YOU’D GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS THINKING ABOUT STARTING CROSSFIT OR JUST STARTED?
Go for it! Just say yes and try it!
12. WHAT IS YOUR DIET LIKE? HAS IT CHANGED SINCE STARTING CROSSFIT?
I have become more mindful of what I put into my body since starting CrossFit. I try to eat the way we do during the nutrition challenges for the most part, but don’t get me wrong- I still love the occasional pizza and wine.
13. RESULTS? TELL US ABOUT YOUR RESULTS!
Since starting CrossFit January 2017, I have lost around 20 lbs. I would like to continue to lose more body fat, but feel successful in what I have accomplished so far.
FREEWRITE:
Blackbird has given me so much and I feel truly blessed to be a part of such an incredible community! Matt, Rebekah, and all of the coaches are so talented and give so much time, energy, and expertise to help us all be better every day! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I can’t imagine myself anywhere else!!