Member Spotlight: Stephanie Lopez

 Any changes to brag about? Anything else to add? So, what brought you to CrossFit Tidal Wave/Mainland? I started Crossfit last May when a friend of mine kept bragging about the workouts and swore up and down it would be the best workout I had ever done. I have always enjoyed both cardio and weight lifting and was always looking for the next best thing or a great class that pushed me to work harder. She wouldn’t stop talking about the challenge, about how she knew I would love it, and about how great of a coach Shaun is. I went in curious to see what crossfit was, since I had only heard about it, and was sold after my trial classes were over. What made you stay? I stayed because before crossfit I didn’t realize just how strong women were able to be. I had never seen women lift such heavy weights if they weren’t body builders or some kind of professional athlete. I was inspired to see normal girls like me lifting heavy, getting stronger, and able to complete so many exercised that I struggled on. What are some of your goals?My biggest goal was to tone and lean out. I have plenty of weight to lose and I know that when the weight comes off I will also gain more strength. I want to be able to do unassisted pull ups and handstand pushups. Have they been met? I have met some of my goals since starting crossfit, I can definitely say that I have lost inches and everyone I am close with says they can see how my body has changed in the last year. Best lifts? My best lift is definitely the deadlift. I reached 235lbs before 2014 was over and I know I can lift even more now. I am really eager to see what my 1RM on this lift will be in the coming weeks. Benefits you have noticed? My biggest crossfit benefit has been more control over my diabetes. With proper eating and doing the WOD’s so many days a week I have reduced the amount of insulin I have to take significantly!  What do you do out there in the real world? In the real world I am a single mom, I work at American National Insurance in the agent payroll department and I teach Zumba!  Your favorite WOD?My favorite WOD is any WOD that has wall balls, and includes a barbell. I absolutely LOVE the lifting part during the WOD’s.  Biggest CrossFit Accomplishment?I don’t know if I could pick out my biggest crossfit accomplishment… I have done so much in the last year I never thought possible! Being a part of the in house competition is definitely one thing that stands out; it was the hardest workout I had ever done at that point in my life! And entering the Crossfit open this year and pushing myself every Friday morning at 5am is definitely another.This May will mark my 1 year anniversary doing crossfit and all with Crossfit Tidal Wave. I can definitely say this has been my best decision ever! The people at our box are amazing! I can’t even begin to say how thankful I am for everyone being so kind to me from the start, and for all the friendships I have made here; I know they will last for a very long time! There is no other workout like Crossfit. And I really like how Crossfit makes me feel alive! I can’t wait to see what I am able to accomplish in my second year; maybe a scaled competition…?