Athlete Spotlight: Shay Overstreet

Name: Shay Overstreet photo(1)
Age: 27
Occupation: Radiation Therapist
Which class time do you usually attend? Any of the evening classes typically. Every now and then I squeeze in at lunch.
Favorite WOD: Anything without running, or box jumps, or wall balls, or rope climbs, or chest to bars…wait, what?
Favorite Lift: Clean and Jerk. If I never had to do a thruster again that would be great.
Deadlift Max: 205
Back squat Max: 185
Fran: n/a
Cindy: 12+6
Got Muscle-ups? Negative
1 mile run: 35:00 min on a good day…downhill…on a bicycle
How long have you been CrossFitting? I think I started in Oct 2011

What keeps you coming back/motivated?
“The atmosphere keeps me coming back. It’s such an enjoyable place to be, I don’t dread going to the gym anymore. Honestly, a lot of what keeps me motivated are my patients. Seeing a 45-year-old who isn’t able to sit up on their own to get off my table because they don’t have any abdominal strength pushes me not to let myself be like that.”

How did you find CrossFit?
“My husband decided he wanted to do the Tough Mudder and CrossFit was how he chose to train for it. So, I got drug into the madness. :)”

What is your athletic background (If applicable)?
“I did competitive gymnastics for around 10 years. Played basketball for 10-12 years, softball 8 years, and soccer for 4 years. I dabbled in swimming a bit, but nothing to major.”

How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
“Instead of fearing a challenge, I now embrace it, and work towards overcoming it. I can’t imagine how I would look/feel if I had not started CrossFit two years ago. I don’t see myself ever giving it up. I think from now on I will always wake up in the morning trying to figure out how I was going to get that WOD in.”

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.)
“When I started CrossFit there were quite a few things I was unable to do…..pull-ups, double unders, toes to bar, lots of different things. I don’t know if I ever thought I would never be able to do those things, I just knew it would take me a little while. At this point there are quite a few things I feel like I will never get. My next goal is a strict pull up and strict handstand pushup.”

What motivates/inspires you?
“Mostly Kim Barb. That beast. 🙂  Everyone in CrossFit inspires me. Everyone that goes into that gym day after day, sometimes getting their butt kicked by a WOD, but still showing up the next day for more with a smile on their face… That inspires me to continue trying to be the best I can be.”

What is your proudest CrossFi achievement?
“I remember being super excited when I got my first kipping pull-up, and I was pretty proud of my first hand tear for some weird reason. Felt like I was really a part of the CrossFit world after that.”

Name one goal/personal achievement you would like to achieve through CrossFit?
“I would like to lose 30 more pounds, and be able to run a 9-minute mile. Maybe we should have a Paleo partner challenge all year long. :)”

What goals have you achieved in CrossFit?
“Pullups, Tons of PR’s, and being able to consecutively string double unders together, even when being exhausted. Wasn’t sure if that day would ever come.”

Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit?
“Video Games, Board Games, College Football (Go Jackets), and shoes. 🙂 Oh, and traveling!!! I love to travel!!!”

What is your favorite meal?
“I love food! Probably Mexican. I could eat it everyday and not get sick of it. This Paleo challenge needs to hurry and end so I can have some cheese dip!”

Any advice for new members?
“(CrossFit founder Greg) Glassman said it best…’No, It doesn’t ever get any easier. You wouldn’t want it to either.’
Just keep showing up. Make this lifestyle your lifestyle. Make it just part of what you do everyday. Don’t look at it as a chore, or something you have to do. Remember how awesome you feel when someone says “You do CrossFit?? That stuff looks CRAZY hard!!” Always set goals, and never stop trying to reach them. 🙂

Coach Brandon’s comment:
“Shay is one of those people that brings some excitement to the room when she’s in the class. Now, she may not be totally pumped up to do some of the WODs when she looks at the whiteboard, but she always gives it her best. It’s always a pleasure to have Shay in class and coach her.”

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