Athlete Spotlight: Abi Glisson

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Name: Abi Glisson
Age: 26
Occupation: HS Physics Teacher
Which class time do you usually attend? I like to keep people guessing…
Favorite WOD: Anything with deadlifts and not gymnastics
Favorite Lift: Deadlift
Deadlift Max: 250 (current), 265 (PR)
Back squat Max: 175 (current), 195 (PR)
Favorite Food: pizza and ice cream
Favorite Movie: About Time
Favorite Athlete: the Icelandic girls—Katrin, Sara, Annie, who’s next?
Dream Job: Birth Educator or SAHM
Dream Vacation Destination: Kiawah Island, SC

How long have you been CrossFitting?
“Since September 2014”

What keeps you coming back/motivated?
“The community and how CrossFit centers my life, physically and mentally. I can’t imagine going back to the “old way” of slogging for hours on cardio or weight machines. I love seeing friends in class and meeting new people. Then we all do some crazy hard thing together, and it’s not so bad. CrossFit is the total package—why would I go back to going at it alone? And of course, feeling my body change for the better helps, too!”

How did you find CrossFit?
“When we moved to Suwanee, I googled gyms in the area and No Excuses is actually the closest gym to my house. I had been rowing in a group setting, so the group aspect was appealing. Walking in to the gym for the first time was scary—it looked like chaos to the untrained eye—but I signed up for an assessment, and the rest is history!”

What is your athletic background (If applicable)?
“I was a dancer (clogging and Irish dance) through college, but never played sports. I rowed in college, and I was working out at an indoor rowing gym before coming to CrossFit.”

How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
“I’m stronger than I ever thought possible. I was able to have a really healthy pregnancy because of CrossFit before and during pregnancy, and I’ve bounced back really quickly because I stayed active. I’m a better mom because of CrossFit—I’m happier, more patient, and better able to lift Isaac in his carrier! This has become the non-negotiable in my life—I do crazy things to schedule the “other stuff” around CrossFit, and my life goes so much smoother because of it. I’ve made a commitment to myself, and this is the community I need to be with. I don’t see myself ever leaving.”

What is the one thing you have done here that you never thought you could do?
“I never thought I would be in BETTER shape 4 months after giving birth than I ever was before pregnancy.”

Who or what motivates/inspires you?
“Vanessa Whitten and Michelle Lomax! #mommystrong”

What is your proudest CrossFit achievement?
“Being the last one still working in 16.2, and then getting that one clean just before the clock ran out.”

Name one goal/personal achievement you would like to achieve through CrossFit?
“I want to test into Fitness! So I guess you could say I would like to have a bodyweight 3RM back squat and be able to do pullup and dip negatives.”

Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit?
“Being Isaac’s mom (so cliché)! I also like to knit and do adult coloring books when Isaac takes a long enough nap.”

Any advice for new members?
“Just keep showing up. You don’t have to go at 100% all the time to make improvements (you CAN’T go at 100% all the time). Don’t wait until you “feel like working out” to get in to the gym: go anyway, and I guarantee you’ll feel better after. The second you step foot inside, you’re winning.”

Any additional thoughts/comments:
“Go read the latest WOD Wisdom (http://www.noexcusescrossfit.com/2016/04/28/wod-wisdom-dont-afraid-practice/) about Practice… Brandon “loves” answering my incessant questions about how to scale and pick weights that will challenge me enough to help me reach my goals without setting me up for failure or injury. We have the best coaches, so go pick their brains! Start talking to them about what you want to achieve—they are a WEALTH of information and support.”

Coach Laura’s Take: 
“Abi is such a hard-working individual. It has been awesome to see her transition from CrossFit newbie, to doing CrossFit through her pregnancy, and now kicking butt and taking the steps to get (back) into shape and even beyond where she started. Abi has always been consistent in the gym and takes steps to make sure she is here. That consistency is paying off. She is coachable, goal-oriented and reaches out to the coaches for help with all aspects of her fitness and mindset in the gym. I know that she will continue to meet goals that she sets for herself!”