Athlete Spotlight: Martha Raber

 

 

Name:Martha Raber

Age:38

Occupation:Manager, Enterprise Risk Services

Hometown:Up North, where the white stuff accumulates and temperatures drop to crazy lows.

Which class time do you usually attend? 6PM Barbell Class (Tues & Thurs) and 7PM Class for WOD

Favorite WOD: Any WOD with minimal cardio and heavier lifting.

Favorite CF Movement: Anything that involves heavy lifting with minimal technique.

Least Favorite CF Movement: The movements I am still working on mastering within the next 3 months… muscle ups, chest to bars etc.

3RM Back Squat: 180 (and steadily increasing!)

1RM Deadlift:295 (315 coming right up!)

Favorite Food: Eggs, Salmon and Sweet Potatoes

Favorite Movie: Do I have to pick one? I can’t pick just one…

Favorite Athlete:This one varies too… I can’t just pick one…

Dream Job: Working the dream right now!

Dream Vacation Destination:We go to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures every year. We are planning either a cruise or direct flight to the Caribbean for an all in one adventure! Scuba diving etc.

If you could have any super power… to be able to fly!!!

Favorite Motivational Quote:“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.”

How long have you been doing CrossFit?

I have been attending classes sporadically since January of 2018 and started attending classes regularly about six months ago.

How did you first discover CrossFit and what made you decide to start? 

We moved to the north side of Atlanta from the south side in Dec of 2017 and I was looking for a challenging physical activity to get my health back on track. (Am sure no other adult has ever let work and career get in the way of staying in top physical shape while eating healthy.)

Tell us about your fitness/sports background:

Have always been active… played basketball, volleyball, softball in my teen years, followed by kickboxing and ultimately getting my black belt in MMA.

What sorts of positive changes (mental, physical, emotional) have you noticed in your life since getting involved at No Excuses?

Where do I start… First, I feel tons better and went from drinking 2 Monsters and 6-8 cups of coffee, to only drinking 2-3 cups of coffee and no more energy drinks (slowly killing myself). This transition happened mostly since I have started working with No Excuses in house Dietitian (Karen) the beginning of this year. I have dropped 20 pounds over the past year, the body fat percentage decrease with muscle mass increase did not start happening till Karen helped me revamp how I ate. And I also have to include Coach Adam who teaches Barbell Class… honing technique and lifting heavier led to muscle mass increase! Friends and co-workers have seen the physical changes and I am super excited to almost be back to my personal best physical shape and health, while knowing I will be able to stay in shape.

Who or what keeps you coming back and motivated?

Special shout out to my 7PM groupies, you know who you are!!! All around friendly atmosphere with everyone encouraging each other. Also, all the coaches are extremely patient and willing to work with you no matter what level you are at.

In what other ways do you use your fitness?

I use my fitness to stay sane… for each WOD and Barbell class I like to see how hard I can push myself mentally to force my body to keep going when it wants to stop. I always feel better after the WOD (an adrenaline junkie thing) then when I started!

Please share with us a favorite CrossFit or No Excuses moment.

When I could finally jump rope!!!

Name one goal you would like to achieve in the next year (doesn’t have to be CrossFit related, but it can be)

To be able to Rx all Open workouts, on the next Open coming up. Wait… that includes double unders… Coach Adam help!

Tell us about your hobbies and interests outside of the gym:

On the side and in direct relation to my career, I keep up with the everchanging standards, regulations and laws within the information security and data privacy realm. My team provides cybersecurity, compliance and privacy consulting which extends to delivering validated reports and certifications specific to data type and industry sector. Outside of being a geek, I enjoy hiking, rafting, ziplining, playing basketball, rollerblade etc. with my family and friends. CrossFit has helped me to keep up with my growing (to fast) sons who will soon be 13 and 16 years old! And just ran my first Spartan Sprint a couple of weeks ago and am doing the Spartan Super in Oct.

What advice do you have for someone just starting CrossFit or is on the fence about starting?

Just go for it! Do it for you! When I first started, I could not even finish a WOD with an intense cardio part. We will be right there sweating with you every step of the way to encourage you no matter what!

What do you love most about No Excuses?

No Excuses provides an all-in-one service package to help anyone attain and maintain their ideal health and physical shape. This includes regular classes (WODs), barbell classes (work on technique), one-on-one classes to obtain additional guidance on harder movements, advanced nutrition/dietitian classes and guidance, in house chiropractic services, and a dedicated group of individuals sweating right alongside you in every workout!

Coach Adam’s Take: “Martha is one of the few members at NECF that can match my energy! Martha always comes ready to throw down, while also being very humble and very coachable! You can find Martha constantly putting in work, whether it be at home, the gym, CrossFit class, barbell club, etc. Martha is great at recognizing her weaknesses, and doing whatever is necessary to improve those weaknesses!”