Summer McKissick isn’t just a member of our CrossFit community; she’s the heart and soul of it. Her infectious positivity and unwavering dedication have made her an inspiration to all. Beyond her impressive athletic accomplishments, it’s her genuine kindness, level-headedness, and compassion that truly set her apart.
A force to be reckoned with in the gym, Summer’s relentless pursuit of improvement is evident in every workout. Whether she’s perfecting her handstand push-ups with Frank at open gym or tackling challenging CrossFit competitions with her friends, her determination is unwavering. You’ll now also see her crushing weights in Powerlifting class. Yet, what truly makes her exceptional is her ability to balance her athletic pursuits with a deep commitment to community.
From organizing game nights to planning outdoor adventures, Summer has been instrumental in fostering a sense of camaraderie among our members. Her infectious enthusiasm and welcoming nature make everyone feel included and valued. Even in the face of personal challenges, Summer’s resilience shines through. Our hearts are with her as she and her family are navigating her dad’s pancreatic cancer and kidney failure. Her ability to find joy and support within our community is a testament to her strength and character.
As we honor Summer as our Athlete of the Month, we celebrate not only her athletic achievements but also her unwavering spirit and her profound impact on our community. She is a true inspiration, a beacon of light, and a reminder of the power of human connection.
Congratulations, Summer!
Meet Summer…
Tell us about yourself
Let me start by saying WOW, I am honored to be the athlete of the month and a part of such an
amazing community. Also, I am not great at writing, and some things may not be grammatically correct for all my teachers out there (lol).
My name is Summer McKissick and I am 30 years old. I have been married for almost 2 ½ years to my incredible husband Sean and I have two Australian Shepherds named Moose and
Tilly. My husband and I got married in Ireland not too long after I joined Blackbird. I grew up in Pennsylvania and went to York College of PA where I got my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I had been a nurse for a little over 6 years in various intensive care units when I decided I needed a change and went to grad school to become an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (I know a mouthful). I wanted to help prevent people from getting sick rather than just treat them after the fact. Now I specialize in Obesity Medicine, which I thoroughly enjoy because I love fitness and overall health and I help people live healthier lifestyles.
What made you start CrossFit? Has your motivation changed over the years?
The funny thing is my husband was the one who got me into CrossFit. My husband was going to physical therapy and the woman who was treating him was JACKED. Somehow CrossFit came up and he brought up how he always thought it would be something I would like. CrossFit had always been something I thought about doing because of growing up playing team sports such as field hockey, lacrosse, etc. and loved that team/community aspect. However, I was worried about getting injured. The physical therapist specifically recommended Blackbird as a newbie to CrossFit because of the welcoming community, and because you are taught the movements. There are lots of things that keep me coming back to doing CrossFit such as the connections and friendships I have built, my competitive side, and I just love working out and getting my butt kicked. When I first started, I just wanted to get good at everything, but now I am more focused on building strength to set the foundation for those “cooler” movements.
What have you learned about movement, fitness, and yourself since joining Blackbird?
Since I was younger, I always wanted to be leaner, smaller, thinner, etc. Even though I feel like some people wouldn’t understand when they look at me, I have had a lot of self-image issues regarding weight and “feeling fat”. The sad part is I see this A LOT in the women patients that I work with, and it makes me sad that a lot of women are unhappy with their appearances (they will say they felt this way even when they were “skinny”). However, since joining Blackbird, I have changed my perspective on what I want to look like and my focus. Now I want to get stronger and don’t mind if that means being a little “thicker”. I love my body way more now and am more focused on my training vs. trying to be the tiniest version of myself I can be. I just want to live a long healthy life where I can continue to be able to move and feel good!
What is your proudest CrossFit moment?
Proudest CrossFit moment is a tough one because I have had a few milestones that were big to me. I would say getting double unders consistently and getting my first strict pull-ups were huge. I always thought girls who could do pull-ups were beasts and now I am one of them 🙂
What is your favorite CrossFit movement, lift, or WOD? Least favorite?
Least favorite movements- DUBSSSSSSS or Handstand Push Ups (mainly because I can’t do them lol)
Favorite Lift- Deadlift all the wayyyyy, snatches have grown on me
Favorite WOD- anything that is a long grind, I love a workout that is 30-40 minutes that you just have to continue to push yourself. I don’t like the short sprint ones.
What impact has CrossFit had on you inside and outside of the gym?
When I first started going to Blackbird CrossFit I wasn’t in the best mental headspace. I had moved from PA to MD right when the pandemic hit, left all my friends, and then started working at Shock Trauma in their Multi-Trauma CCU during COVID. During that time, I also started grad school. I was extremely stressed and did not feel like myself. I was only able to workout at home and just felt pretty down and lonely. When I started going to Blackbird CrossFit, it helped turn everything around. I
built new connections, loved sweating through hard with workouts, and felt stronger mentally and physically. Overall, CrossFit has made me happier and healthier.
What do you enjoy most about Blackbird or CrossFit in general?
Suffering together with friends! I love the camaraderie and getting fit. Blackbird is the best CrossFit gym around (that is right, I said it). People care about each other and show up when you need someone. I love the friendships I have built and the coaching there is exceptional.
What are your CrossFit goals? How close are you to reaching them?
My main goals for CrossFit right now are getting chest to bar which will hopefully lead into muscle ups. I have lots of pull ups but still haven’t quite nailed down the chest to bar. Right now that is one of my biggest goals. I would say I am pretty dang close to reaching them, I try to do pull ups before/after workouts and use bands to get as high as I can on the bar while gaining strength.
When you are not CrossFitting what is your favorite thing to do?
Outside of CrossFitting the things I enjoy most are hiking with my Aussies, traveling to new places with my
husband, trying out new coffee shops, and hanging out with my friends (especially Blackbird game nights!)
What is one fun thing about you that we may not know yet?
Something some people may not know about me is that I enjoy deer hunting. I grew up hunting with my stepdad and he taught me everything I know. I know how to use a bow and taught my
husband how to hunt and use a climber. (I am proud of this! lol) It is very peaceful getting up in the morning when everything is quiet and sitting in nature, that is what I like most about it.
What is the one tip you would give someone considering CrossFit or new to CrossFit?
I am a very competitive person (not all of you may know this), and with that being said you have to find a middle ground. Find your sweet spot of pushing yourself while still having fun. I feel like I see newbies tend to compare themselves and get down on themselves. I still compare myself, but it gives me fuel to work harder, and I love a little friendly competition. Also, everything takes time, enjoy the process. Remember most of the athletes you see have been doing CrossFit for a long time, you will get there but you must have patience and continue to work on your goals. The last tip is to lean into the community aspect, it can be intimidating at first, but you will most likely meet some of your best friends here.
What is your diet like? Has it changed since starting CrossFit?
Personal chefs are expensive but I think worth every penny. I mean you don’t have to write the menu, it’s always fresh and delicious and it makes eating clean doable. 10 out of 10 would recommend. Fortunately, I’m married to mine, and he doesn’t charge me.
My diet consists of an emphasis on lean proteins, lots of veggies (which help you feel full) and I (aka Sean) only keep healthy snacks in the house. However, don’t let all that fool you it is also all about balance. I love my sweet and salty snacks and will indulge but try to do it in moderation. I also love my caramel lattes and will occasionally, get an M&M and chocolate-covered donut with Frank at Whataday Café.
If you want to dial in your nutrition, I highly recommend a Blackbird Nutrition Coach. I
always say, “Know what you know, know what you don’t know, and know where to find what you don’t know”.
What is your favorite workout fuel? What about your favorite indulgence?
My favorite workout fuel must be a PB & J, especially for competition days. It is easy to prepare and doesn’t mess with my belly during workouts. I have a few favorite indulgences including caramel lattes, lime tortilla chips with salsa/guacamole and margaritas, and anything chocolate!
What takeaways or insights do you have for training for longevity?
Recovering from an injury is TOUGH, mentally and physically. I’d say what got me through was trying to let go of that “all or nothing” attitude and focusing on more of “something is better than nothing”. I am more accepting of scaling things now,
especially if something is bothering me. My goal now is to be able to continue to move and not get injured vs. risking hurting myself to just Rx a workout.
Results? Tell us about your results!
I am wayyy stronger now than I ever was before. I can do pull-ups! I can lift heavy,
and I feel like that shows because my muscles are popping out now!
FREEWRITE:
I would just like to thank the Blackbird CrossFit community for being there for me during rough times, family hardships, offering to drive me after hitting a deer to a competition (LOL), celebrating good times, listening to me rant, and just overall supporting me and keeping me fit! Joining Blackbird CrossFit has changed my life in all the best ways and I can’t say enough how incredible everyone is.