Athlete Spotlight: Kathleen Hoehn

Name: Kathleen Hoehn
Age: 23
Occupation: Lead Generation Marketing Specialist
Which class time do you usually attend? 6 p.m.
Favorite WOD: My very first WOD: 3 RFT of 30 Wall balls/KBS/Box jumps/row
Favorite Lift: Snatch
Deadlift Max: 255 pounds
Back squat Max: 205 pounds
Fran: Never tested RX
Cindy: Don’t know
Got Muscle-ups? I barely have strict pull-ups, so no.
1 mile run: Probably no less than 8 minutes
How long have you been CrossFitting? Since January 2013

What keeps you coming back/motivated?
“I heard someone refer to CrossFit in an interview as ‘adult recess’ and that’s totally true for me. If you have a bad day you come in, zone, and get it out.. and if you have a great day you come in and kill it! I look forward to it all day.”

How did you find CrossFit?
“My college roommate started doing it and fed me the Kool-Aid.”

What is your athletic background (If applicable)?
“Did it all in high school, and in college got into group workouts — kickboxing, HIIT, spinning etc.”

How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
“I received a complement on an airplane once about how easy I whipped my bag out of the overhead compartment. I step up stairs by two and think about ‘through the heel’ and pushing my knees out. Most recently I find myself hook-gripping while doing everyday things.”

What is the one thing you have done here that you never thought you could do? (muscle up, double unders, heavy deadlift, run a mile, etc.)
“I had only seen guys using barbells to work out and didn’t know how the Olympic/power lifting would play out for me. I never thought those movements could become so normal.”

What motivates/inspires you?
“Being a goal-oriented person is where I get the motivation to always want to do more/chase a new PR/work to do things RX. Once I get one, it’s on to the next!”

What is your proudest CrossFit achievement?
“Getting through my first Hero WOD was a proud moment. It was so awful and felt great at the same time!”

Name one goal/personal achievement you would like to achieve through CrossFit?
“I’d like to maintain the overall wellness and health I’ve created for myself. It’s my goal to be able to maintain a good work/life balance as I develop my professional career… not giving up my WODs!”

What goals have you achieved in CrossFit?
“I’ve had many little wins along the way: first it was kipping pull-ups, then hitting a 200-pound deadlift, stringing together T2B, a few months ago I was able to do dips RX, and most recently I did my first handstand!”

Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit?
“Since I’m new to Atlanta, I love exploring around town. I’m a die-hard Michigan State fan, so I’m always watching games at the MSU bar in Midtown. My college pals are scattered around the country, which gives me a great excuse to scratch my travelers itch. I’m pretty crafty and nerd-out over scrapbooking and recently started canvas painting.”

What is your favorite meal?
“BBQ brisket from Salt Lick in Texas”

Any advice for new members?
“You’re stronger than you think you are, so prove yourself wrong.”

Coach Ben’s take: “Kathleen is originally from Michigan and has been such a delight to be around! She is such a young fee spirited woman and so much fun to be around. Her laughter is contagious! Her approach to CrossFit has been one that I admire in any athlete. She comes in just trying to have a ‘good time.’ She is stronger than most, has a HUGE engine and could possibly be one of the top female athletes in the gym. What’s so amazing about her is that she just simply wants to have FUN! She doesn’t worry about being the best, finishing first or where she is in her progression of fitness. She simply wants to just enjoy what she is doing. Her attitude has motivated me as a coach to continually remember why we do train our bodies regularly, not for our own glory and prestige but rather for admiration and respect for the One who has given us these bodies. So I would like to thank Kathleen for her daily reminder of this reality. I hope her success and blessings continue to multiply.”