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There is no better time than now to change your life. 

Lanna Gruppen

Member of the month:

November 20223

Name:

Lanna Gruppen

Age:

29

From:

Allendale

Member Since:

What do you do when you’re not at CFA?

I love spending time with my family and friends. I love being out on the water and being on my boats! I also love spending time with my dog, Ollie, and I love rock collecting. 

What led you to Crossfit and CFA specifically?

I was really ready for a change! My job had become very sedentary and I lacked the discipline to work out independently. I played volleyball and basketball growing up and always loved the camaraderie that came with being part of a sports team. I was looking for a place where I could be challenged and held accountable.

When did you realize that CrossFit is right for you?

When I started at Crossfit, I was in a really dark place mentally and physically. My husband and I had been trying to start a family for a long time and if you’ve ever experienced infertility, you’ll understand how isolating and despairing it can be. You feel like such a failure. Even though my body wasn’t doing what I desperately wanted it to do with the fertility stuff, Crossfit became such a healing experience for me. My body wasn’t able to make a baby at the time but I was able to come here and run further than I ever thought I could, lift heavier than I ever thought I could lift, push my body in so many different ways-because we all know it’s not just the tire flips and rope climbs lol-  and do more squats than I ever thought was humanly possible.

Do you remember your first WOD?

I don’t remember specifically but I remember Melissa Dyke had to help me get the clamps off my barbell because I didn’t know how yet! I wasn’t nervous to start that but I remember being nervous about the 1/1 lessons with Coach Kate and Josh which turned out to be really fun and informative. 

What movement do you despise over everything and why?

I don’t like doing those pistols or the lunges. Feels like my knees are going to explode, can anyone else relate??? 

What has been your all-time favorite moment at CFA?

The first time I was able to complete the mile run I was really proud of myself! I may have been the last one back but I didn’t care! I ran the whole time without stopping or walking. Also getting to tell my coaches and friends at Crossfit that I was pregnant was really cool too.

What motivates you during a tough workout?

My friends here at crossfit really motivate me! When I see others around me giving it their all and pushing as hard as they can, you can’t help but feel like-ITS GO TIMEEEE. 

If you could write your own workout for a day, what would it be?

With being 34 weeks pregnant probably a lot of biking, box step ups, deep squats, dumbbells, maybe some hang cleans + push jerks, farmers carries, and some overhead squats. 

What are your goals going forward and what do you think will help you achieve them?

My current goal is to continue working out and coming to crossfit for as long as I can until baby gets here. I don’t know what that’ll look like as we get closer to my due date in December but I know that this has been so beneficial for my physical and mental health. Research also shows that exercise helps make labor and delivery easier for mamas and babies so that’s another positive too! 

My long term goal is to be able to come back and complete the Murphy. I’ll more than likely be switching to the 5:45 am class, can’t wait to make some more Crossfit buddies! 

What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health, and fitness or just day to day life since starting CrossFit (before/after?)

I have a lot more confidence to try new things and it changed the relationship that I had with my body. Before I was definitely punishing my body  and that has gradually changed the more involved I became at Crossfit. It also changed my mindset on the food I ate, eating healthier wasn’t a chore or a bad thing, but a tool to help me have more energy and strength at Crossfit. 

What would you recommend to someone who is just starting out with CrossFit?

Crossfit is for everyone! Josh, Kate, and Dave do a fantastic job of teaching the skills and keeping everyone safe here. They do a great job of making it really adaptable for your different needs while still challenging you to do better. I will forever be thankful for how supportive they were of me while I was going through IVF and how they have tailored different workouts for me so that I can still get a great workout in while growing a baby! Just keep trying and keep moving! 

If you could have one skill or characteristic of another member at CFA what and from whom would it be? Or which other CFA member are you the most motivated by? 

I really like my evening class pals! Chris, Ted, Deb, Meg, Melissa, Molly, Gill, Leah, Bob, Anna, Cop Kyle, HARRY, Dan, Sherry, Father Steve, Christine, the Sietsemas, Kris, Kate-You guys are the best! 

#keeppounding

Quick Questions

Favorite Cheat meal: Pizza!
Favorite Workout song: Cinderella Man, Stir Fry, Notorious Thugs, Anything by the Dixie Chix 
Favorite Place You Have Traveled: Hawaii
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Favorite CrossFit Athlete(if any): Leah Austin and Anna Steele =] and Meg if she would ever compete =]

Coach’s comment:

Lanna is one of a kind and definitely one of our favorite people at CFA. It has been awesome to see her continue to workout and scale as needed throughout her pregnancy. She is always ready to work hard and try to start the workout early. She is a beast on the assault bike and can do at least 100 unbroken ring rows by now. She has been a great addition since she started with us almost two years ago and we can’t wait to meet her future little CrossFitter! Keep up the great work Lanna!

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