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Fashlete™ of the Month

This Counts

September 2011

Name: Jackie Cheney
Age: 35
Occupation: Mom, Medical Assistant at Primary Health Medical Group • Boise. ID

A few weeks ago, my sister Natalie introduced me to one of her readers, Jackie Cheney.  Natalie receives a lot of emails from men and women who have been profoundly affected by her memoir, Signs of Life.  This book deals with a universal emotion that I really wish wasn’t so universal: Grief.  That little word, a single syllable just sitting there in black and white, has the power to sink my heart to the pit of my stomach.  But the stories from women like Natalie and Jackie are ultimately about what lifts our hearts, not what makes them sink. There is a much better monosyllabic word to describe what I feel when I think about the Natalies and the Jackies of the world. It looks better in black and white and it feels better to say. That word is Hope.

Jackie lost her second son, Elam John Cheney, on May 22, 2009.  Elam was stillborn due to an abrupted placenta.  Not only was Jackie dealing with the loss of her son, she was dealing with the failure of her own body.  Jackie was able to get pregnant again but continued to be confronted with the fragileness of her body and her baby.

"There is something very defeating to have your body fail and lose your child.  I was far from a physically, mentally healthy person."

When Jackie picked up Natalie’s book, she found herself forced to live through emotions and grief that she had been ignoring for years.  But what she also found in that book and within herself was overwhelming inspiration to truly rehabilitate herself mentally and physically.  The aspect of recovery that Jackie discussed with me was the implementation of an exercise regime and goal setting.  Jackie set out to train for and complete a triathlon with her friend and constant support, Chelsi.  In our interview I asked Jackie to elaborate on her mental and physical transformation. Here are some excerpts from our talk that I hope will be helpful to others open to finding mental well-being through physical means.

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Faith, Action, Results

August 2011

Name: Jorge Ballerino
Age: 43 (but feels 23)
Occupation: Cancer Warrior

I met Jorge in 2009 through an organization called Team in Training.  We both joined the team to prepare for our first triathlon and raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Jorge is outgoing, charismatic, energetic, and athletic.  He is one of the first people I remember meeting on the team and we became fast friends.  His energy is infectious and anyone who was on our team would tell you the same thing: it just wouldn't have been the same without Jorge.  When we flew to DC for our first Olympic Distance Triathlon, Jorge convinced the entire team to board the plane dressed in white from head to toe because, after all... we are from Miami!!  Once you meet Jorge Ballerino, you will never forget him.

 In 2010 Jorge was diagnosed with Metastasized Stage IV Melanoma Cancer.  The survival rate for this type of cancer is 9-15%.  I still can't wrap my head around that statistic.  When Jorge called to tell me about his diagnosis I can remember thinking "This world cannot lose Jorge Ballerino."  The role Jorge played on our triathlon team is the same role that he plays in every aspect of his life: he is a leader, a care-giver, an entertainer... a strong man with a heart bigger than his biceps :)  I could not accept the fact that someone so full of life was being threatened by a deadly, unforgiving disease. Luckily, Jorge was not about to accept this fact either... and his fight began. 

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Don't Cheat On Cindy

July 2011

Name: Cindy Rhoades-Young
Age: 34
Occupation: Stay at Home Mom/Full Time College Student (graduating with her B.A. in December)

Affiliate: Practice CrossFit • Troy, OH

"For the first time in my life I actually get it and believe that there will never be a piece of pizza that will taste as good as my first pullup...Food is my fuel...not my comfort.... " -Cindy

The Beginning: Just over 47 days ago Cindy vowed to get her first pull-up.  Most of us have been there before, swinging around on an assortment of colorful rubber bands, cursing the bar, and dreaming of the day we can do Fran, Helen, or Eva RX.  In this case, it's all about Cindy (as many rounds as possible in 20 minutes of: 5 pull-ups, 10 push ups, 15 air squats).  One woman.  One Goal. One WOD.  It is a wonderful coincidence that Cindy and her muse share the same name.  Ahhh yes, another CrossFit miracle.

The Challenge: Cindy's coach, Josh Bunch, suggested that she also challenge herself to a 100% pure paleo diet for the duration of her pull-up challenge (great coach).  And thus, the "Don't Cheat on Cindy Challenge" was born:  Do Cindy. Go Paleo for 47 days. Do Cindy and record your progress.  The "one woman, one goal, one WOD" aspect of this challenge lasted about a nano second.  Before she knew what she had done, Cindy's coaches were posting "DON'T CHEAT ON CINDY" signs on the walls of the box and 15 other Practice CrossFit members had signed up for her challenge.

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Olympic Lifting : Kid's Play

May/June 2011

I'd like to think that when I am a mom someday, I won't be the kind of parent that forces her kids to participate in activities based on her own interests and that I'll have the same "follow your bliss" attitude that my parents had.  But... I'm sorry future children, you are absolutely participating in sports.  Not just for the sake of physical fitness but because being involved in sports as a kid teaches discipline, mental toughness, confidence, teamwork, goal setting, and so much more.  

Since my children don't exist yet, they are safe for the moment from my burpee challenges, 1 mile time trials, and Tabata everything.  In the meantime, I would like to introduce you to group of five determined young athletes from LIFT Florida.   Emma, Cody, Justin, Gunner, and Stone have qualified to compete in the Junior Olympics in New Orleans in July in the sport of Olympic Weightlifting.  When I think of the discipline it takes to get to the level of competition that these kids have gotten to at such a young age, I am immediately in awe.  I have chills.  My heart is in my throat.  I'm beaming from ear to ear.  This group has put in hours of training and have become exceptional at something that many adults I know have difficulty with (myself included). This is, without a doubt, a very special group.

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Girls With Sole

April 2011

Name: Kate "Killer" Rawlings
Age: 28
Occupation: Sole owner of Coca CrossFit where she holds certifications in CrossFit Kids, Olympic lifting and Gymnastics.

Kate "Killer" Rawlings is currently the 29th Fittest Woman on Earth.  And although that is an extremely impressive statistic it has nothing to do with why she is featured here today as the Fashlete of the Month.  Kate is involved with  Girls With Sole, an organization with a  mission to use fitness and wellness to empower the minds, bodies and souls of girls who have experienced abuse of any kind, or who are at-risk.  Kate recently hosted a fundraiser for Girls with Sole and will be offering free classes at Coca CrossFit for girls who have experienced abuse.  Although I have a million training and CrossFit related questions that I would love to ask Kate, this interview is entirely about her important work with Girls With Sole.  Enjoy!

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