Success Stories
Jenina Marcelo & Lisa Salazar
Double Trouble
They're awesome enough alone. But get Jenina Marcelo and Lisa Salazar in a CFLB class together, and watch out world. Those two are bound to kick butt and take names.
Lisa and Jenina's CrossFit journey began in their car. "We had driven by CFLB a bunch of times and always wondered what was going on in there," says Lisa.
"As we passed by, I tried to get a peak but never really saw anything," Jenina adds. "Lisa looked up their website and called to get us an introductory workout....
Tari Okoya-Koren
Deadlift Diva
You should have been there. It was a heavy weight day, deadlifting for 1 RPM (rep max - the most weight you can hoist with one lift). A crowd of CrossFitters circled around a woman as she bent over a loaded bar, staring straight ahead with a fierce focus. Then with beautiful form, she proceeded to deadlift the dookey out of that barbell.
How much weight was on there, you ask? Oh, just 315 LBS, putting her at the top of the leaderboard. And the woman lifting it as easily as an empty...
Jeffrey Patton
W.L.C. IN THE B.A.G.
Jeffrey Patton's motivation for joining CFLB: keeping up with the 20-somethings on his Tough Mudder team.
"Earlier this year, a friend of mine convinced me to do the Tough Mudder event (a hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle course designed by the British Special Forces)," Jeffrey recalls. "I was training on my own (sort of). Then when our team did a 15-mile practice hike, I discovered that everyone else what in much better shape and that my half-assed jogging on the beach wasn't going to cut...
Emily Mumper
50 LBS LIGHTER, 27 INCHES TRIMMER
Emily Mumper has discovered a whole new world, and she loves it: Shopping. "There is no better feeling than going to try on clothes and having to send them all back because they are way too big for you!" she explains.
Bring on the skinny jeans. Since joining CFLB in March 2012, Emily has dropped from 230 to 180 pounds - a total loss of 50 pounds. In the process, she won our Spring 2012 Paleo Challenge and trimmed 15 inches off during our recent 8-week Whole Life Challenge (WLC),...
Megan Traver
Underdog, Schmunderdog
You may find this hard to believe, but Megan Traver came in 2nd place in our recent Whole Life Challenge - a mere 8 weeks after joining CFLB and starting CrossFit.
"When I came to CFLB in September, I was a bit of a mess," Megan admits. "I had indulged all summer and was back at work at an extremely stressful job. Needless to say, I was way off track and really needed help. I knew that if I kept heading in this dangerous direction that the consequences would be, well,...
Dave Brooks
CROSSFITTER. AND WHALE-SHARK-STALKER.
Take a look at Dave Brooks' recent honeymoon photos, and you won't see many shots of him kicking back on the beach with umbrella-ed drink in hand. Instead, picture Dave and his beautiful bride (fellow CrossFitter Kristen) zip-lining across the jungle canopy, swimming next to ginormous whale sharks, diving into caves, and dropping into wells. With a huge grin on his face in every shot.
Dave and Kristen's honeymoon adventures are a sure sign of their complete CrossFit transformation....
Edelina Burciaga & Jamie Winters
Power Couple!
Here you have it: our first couples success story on - who else - Edelina Burciaga and Jamie Winters. Jamie and Edelina continued to amaze and inspire us, as well as each other, with their dedication, awesome attitude and performance improvements.
But don't worry: we won't start combining their names (Jamelina, or perhaps Edelaime?). While both athletes share a passion for CrossFit that borders on geeky, each came to CFLB with their unique set of challenges and goals.
When Jamie...
Lauren Crispin
CF STALKER TURNED SUPERSTAR
One of the nicest people you'll ever met, Lauren Crispin hardly seems the stalking type. But that's what she did before she summoned up the nerve to step into our gym.
"After driving by the CFLB building, I looked it up online and I kept thinking about it for a while," she recalls. "It looked challenging and fun, so eventually I picked up the phone and made an appointment."
So, what is the right call? Ummm, yeah. "I totally love it!" Lauren says with her usual positive energy...
Samara Ali-Ahmad
5K at 51
For Samara Ali-Ahmad, CrossFit is a family affair. Introduced to CFLB by her daughter Layla and Layla's boyfriend Derek (both CFLB members), Samara and her husband signed up for the July 2011 On-Ramp class, and she's been getting stronger ever since.
"I remember in the beginning Samara couldn't push press 10 LB dumbbells," recalls her coach and personal trainer Melissa. "She's now up to the 20 LBs. She is truly amazing! Not only has her strength improved, but her stamina as well. She'...
Panita Thanatharn
Masta P Masters DUs
It's the last round of WOD 5 from the CrossFit Games 2011 (a whole mess of rope climbs followed by crazy-heavy clean and jerks). Panita Thanatharn crouches over the barbell, poised to rip 155 LBS off the floor. She cleans it, no problem; she's done it before. But she's never jerked this much weight over her head. Will she make it this time?
Of course. It's Panita, after all - quite possibly the world's most determined CrossFitter and athlete. Not only does she set a new 155 LB clean...
Jeffery Alan Jones
The Silent, Strong Type
CFLB member since February 2010, Jeffery Alan Jones is one of those rare athletes who has mastered a quiet strength. But don't let his stealth-like workout approach fool you - Jeff is as fast, strong and nimble as they come here at CFLB.
Jeff played a lot of sports growing up, and has toured the world in search of the primo surfing spots. A professional musician and composer, these days he spends hours on end sitting in front of a piano or soundboard. So he relishes those CrossFit...
Joe Fernandez
Bodyweight Badass
To watch Joe Fernandez finish his 40th consecutive pull-up (without even pausing to rest), you'd never guess how much this guy loves his Fat Tire Belgian-style ale. Hey, one man's beer is another man's protein shake. Whatever Joe's been doing since joining CFLB in May 2010, it's obviously working.
Forget the 30 pounds he's lost. Never mind the 4-inch decrease in his waist line. Joe has become a for-real fire-breather - with the leaderboard entries to prove it. Check under...
Jerome Marshall
Marathon Man
Next time you're driving down Orange Ave., a few blocks east of the gym, keep an eye out for CFLB member Jerome Marshall. You can't miss him. He's the tall, incredibly svelte guy running like he never plans to stop.
On the days Jerome isn't at his CFLB class, he's on the street training for the LA Marathon scheduled for March 18. He's already completed 17- and 20-mile trial runs, and surprised himself at how well he did. "I felt like I could've just kept running all day," he says. And...
Monica Garcia
Zen & The Art Of CrossFitting
Monica Garcia isn't your typical firebreathing CrossFitter. This beast has mastered her inner peace. A long-time practitioner of yoga and meditation, Monica brings an incredible and enviable focus to every rep, lift and movement she does at CFLB.
"I like that I can use CrossFit as another way to practice mindful meditation," she explains. "You have to very much be present when you do CrossFit, when you're lifting heavy weights. I see my CFLB classes as an extension of my practice."...
Robin Chinchilla
2011 Leaning Challenge Winner
You may not have had the chance to meet Robin Chincilla in person, but you probably recognize his name. That's because it's written up there on the whiteboard every day, next to other über-dedicated 5:30AM CrossFitters. Including this über-dedicated wife Monica.
While most of us are still snuggled in bed sawing logs, Robin's up at the crack of dawn slinging sand bags, climbing ropes and killing it. Sometimes he'll even come back for more at our Olympic Weightlifting Class. No matter...
Elizabeth Rodriguez
10k Is Ok With Her
Like the vast majority of us, Elizabeth Rodriguez suffered from the freshman 20 (and then some) during her first year of college. "I snacked all day and pretty much ate all my dinners at fast food restaurants," she admits.
With her crazy-hectic schedule, she found it hard to lose the weight and the bad eating habits. Over time, a little extra college chub turned into a 100-plus pounds of excess weight Elizabeth didn't want to live with anymore. So she did something about it.
...
Sully Vazquez
60 Pounds In 60 Days
Sully Vazquez is the last guy on the planet to boast about his accomplishments at CFLB - so we thought we'd go ahead and do it for him. This past summer, Sully made a promise to himself to start fresh and get healthy. "So I joined the July On-Ramp session at CFLB and have loved it ever since."
Sully finished his On-Ramp course 30 pounds lighter. And 100% committed to CrossFit and his new Paleo-inspired diet.
"Although it took some convincing, one week after starting I was...
Fernando Alcantara
Muscle-Upping Maniac
A part-time bartender, Fernando's work-related lifting is typically limited to a bottle of booze. But recently while on the job, Fernando hoisted a full keg onto the top shelf, without asking for help.
"I googled it later," says Fernando. "That keg weighed 160.5 pounds." Definitely a PR, Fernando. And quite possibly a new WOD at CFLB?
Long before Fernando was hoisting kegs overhead, he heard about this thing called CrossFit from a friend. So he decided to give it a try,...
Gwen Holt
Our 5’2” Powerhouse
When last we did a success story on Gwen Holt about one year ago, she was already kicking butt left and right. Today, she's even leaner, stronger and more awesome than ever. Coming out of our 8-week Summer Leaning Challenge, Gwen lost over 11 LBS and 1.5 inches, bringing her total weight loss since joining CFLB to a whopping 27.4 LB and 19.54 combined inches.
"I told myself it was all or nothing," says Gwen about her commitment to completing the challenge. "I achieved my goal, and...
Pat Heasley
2011 Leaning Challenge Winner
For those of you who know and love Pat Heasley the way we do, you may remember the previous success story we did on her last year. So, what has Pat been up to since then? Oh, not much...just dropping 28.5 more pounds and co-winning our Summer Leaning Challenge - bringing her total pound-sheddage up to a whopping 60.5.
"After losing a big chunk of weight in the first seven months of my membership, I just kind of hit a plateau," recalls Pat. "I was getting stronger and better in my...
Matt Capon
Bring The Pain
A graduate of Officer Candidate School, Matt Capon was no stranger to grueling workouts when he joined CFLB on October 2009. A former high school lacrosse and soccer competitor, avid surfer, mountain biker and skier (he even experimented with yoga), Matt was already fairly fit when he started here. And now?
"I am probably in some of the best shape of my life," Matt says. "For the amount of time I put into CrossFit per week, the results have been tremendous."
Matt first heard...
Jenny Jackson
CrossFitter On Fire
Jenny Jackson came to CFLB after her first attempt at passing the CPAT (California Physical Ability Test), required for the Firefighter Academy. She'd been seeing a personal trainer at a big gym for 6 months - and paying a lot for little result. "I realized that if I wanted to become a firefighter, I would have to do something more."
"When the coaches at CFLB heard I was going for the CPAT, they immediately found out what the test involved and started helping me prepare for it," Jenny...
Michael Kollin
50 And Still Going Strong
Michael Kollin knew his CFLB membership was paying off when ran down the block with his kid on his shoulders, without breaking a sweat. "He weighs about the same as those sandbags we run around with," jokes Michael. "So I guess CrossFit really is functional."
Michael's amazing transformation and progress since his On-Ramp days is definitely no joke. He signed up at age 48, with 242 lbs on his frame and a barely-used membership to a local athletic club. "My exercise pretty much...
Miguel Jurado
5 pants sizes slimmer
Recently, Miguel Jurado’s gotten a few good-natured jibes at work. “My co-workers tell me I’m swimming in my clothes,” he says. But he doesn’t seem to mind. A serious competitor in our 8-week Summer Leaning Challenge, Miguel shed about 11 pounds and 2 ½ inches...
Jennifer Hawver
2011 Leaning Challenge Winner
Most people are drawn to CrossFit for the challenge, the variety, the results. In the case of Jennifer Hawver, it was the threat of puking that brought her here. "A friend of mine told me that she threw up after her first time doing CrossFit," she explains. "So I HAD to try it."
While Jennifer's never lost her Paleo cookies during a WOD, she has lost a substantial amount of weight and some serious inch-age from her waist. So it came as no surprise to us (although it did to her), when...
Brian Liang
Cooking & Looking Good
Brian is the first to admit it: of all the Summer Leaning Challenge participants, Brian was probably the most skeptical.
"First of all, I LOVE food and cooking," he explains. "So I wasn't too thrilled with the idea of limiting that. But I told myself, why not just try it?"
Brian didn't just try going paleo for 6 weeks solid. He kicked butt at it, losing 12 pounds and 2.25 inches in the process. "I was seeing results just from doing CrossFit," he says. "But after I combined...
Kalie Benson
Power Rower. Power Lifter. Power Everything-Er.
Here's what you do: Go to Wikipedia.com. Type in Kalie Benson. Click on NCAA Rowing Championship. There, under Division II, you'll find Kalie's name listed with the 2003 winning for UC Davis. Yep, Kalie Benson is a bona fide Champion. Now she's a bona fide CrossFitter.
A former high school basketball player, volleyball player and thrower as well as college athlete, Kalie thrived on competition. But after graduating from UC Davis, she found it hard to maintain the same drive that...
Sandy Bond
Sporting Her Daughter’s Jeans
Sandy Bond's 20-year-old daughter may want to put a lock on her closet. Because recently, this 48-year old mother of three put on a pair of her daughter's size six jeans, and they fit perfectly.
"I haven't worn a size six since I was in high school," says Sandy. "That's a good feeling of accomplishment."
A participant in our recent Summer Leaning Challenge, Sandy lost 20 lbs. and 2 ½ inches from her waist in 8 weeks. Add that to the total 70 pounds she's lost over the past year...
Orlando Bermudez
The “O”
The first few months after Orlando Bermudez (AKA "O") joined CFLB, he put on about 20 pounds of muscle weight. He's since shed those 20 pounds as well as a few pant sizes, thanks to his Paleo eating habits. "This is definitely the thinnest I've been," Orlando admits. "My clothes are a lot looser."
Strong to begin with, Orlando has seen himself get significantly more powerful and faster since doing CrossFit. "It's not just that I can bench press more weight," he explains. "The strength...
Julia Delgado
From 0 Push-ups to 100
Watching Julia finish her 100th pull-up, you would never guess that when she started at CFLB in March 2008, she could barely do a single knee push-up. "I was in disgusting shape," Julia recalls. "The beginning years of my 20s were very lazy."
Julia grew up playing softball, basketball, and practicing karate - which she also taught. So when she decided it was time to get back into shape, she starting taking kickboxing classes. Her kickboxing coach suggested CrossFit as a way to increase...
