January 2013

Name: Courtney Norman
Age: 25
Occupation: Media Buy Coordinator & Executive Assistant of a Natural Health Publishing Company, Blogger - Journey of a Dreamer

Many people make resolutions to "get fit", but don't really know where to start.  Weight plates and pull up bars are intimidating and everyone in the room looks more experienced.  I decided to share Courtney's story because when it comes to getting fit, so many people share her insecurities and inhibitions.  If you have ever been terrified of a workout, if you have every looked at someone else in the gym and thought "I can't do that", if you have ever wanted more from yourself... you will love this blog and you will love Courtney.  

One of our goals with Fashlete of the Month is to remind "fitness newbies" that they are not alone!  Take it from Courtney... leave your self doubt at the door, face your fears, and change your life.  CHOOSE STRENGTH.  Without further ado, I give you Courtney Norman....

I still remember the day I first walked into CrossFit O’Fallon. It was buzzing with some kind of energy I couldn’t explain. People laughing and joking while going through their “warm up” (which I thought should be considered it’s own workout!) and they all looked like they were having fun. As I looked around the place seemed so foreign. Rowers were the only “machines” found in the small industrial space. “Learn to never quit” was the quote plastered on the wall, conveniently placed right above the pull up station. I remember being terrified that I wasn’t going to be able to do it. I thought I wouldn’t be strong enough, fast enough, or good enough. It wasn’t long before I was making a list of things that I would never be able to do. I spotted the wooden boxes scattered throughout the room. They jump on to those? No way I’m getting this chunky butt to do that. Pull ups? Even with those crazy bands I’d never be able to. Forget about that tumbling mat against the wall, there was no way I was getting into a handstand. As I watched the normal class start adding weight to their barbells I thought there is no way… I’m just not strong enough. The first time I picked up one of the 35lb bars I didn’t think I’d even get used to using that. Adding on those intimidating bumper plates was out of the question. I just wasn’t strong enough. I have always been the chunky, out of shape girl… even after training for a marathon. Why would this be any different?

November 2012

Name: Allie Chrismer
Age: 16
Occupation: High School Student

Hi, my name is Allie Chrismer and I'm 16 years old. I was diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), a heart disease, about a year ago.  If I do things that get my heart rate up or drastically change my position, I could pass out.   My heart doesn't pump blood like it should.  A normal heart will fill up with blood and then pump that blood out and send it all over your body.  When my heart beats it doesn't always fill up the whole way.  So sometimes my heart beats faster to try to make up for the blood that my heart isn't filling up with.   

Normally a person with POTS will pass out after about 20 minutes of being up right. I passed out in 4 minutes. So you could say my case is pretty severe. After I was diagnosed I tried a bunch of different medicines. Medicines that made my blood pressure increase, and ones that made it decrease. There was at least 12 different ones I tried. Most with unpleasant side effects.  So once they had no more meds to try the doctors pretty much said, there's nothing else we can do you'll have to live with it.

September 2012

Name: Michelle Tam
Occupation: Clinical Night Pharmacist at a large hospital  

Michelle Tam is the talented woman behind the popular Paleo blog Nom Nom Paleo.  Michelle majored in Nutrition & FoodScience at Berkley and later earned a doctorate in clinical pharmacy at UCSF.  In the summer of 2010, Michelle made the decision to go Paleo and read everything she could about the science behind the Paleo diet.  She started Nom Nom Paleo to chronicle her culinary adventures, share tips, and post recipes.

With tens of thousands of loyal readers, several food industry blog awards, and her own highly praised iPad recipe app, Michelle is considered to be an expert in all things Paleo.  From her delicious recipes to her mouth-watering food photography, Michelle covers it all.  And there is so much more....

Spend a little while reading Michelle's blog and not only will you find delicious recipes and insightful nutrition advice... you will get a peak into her busy (very busy) life as a wife, mother of two young boys ("The Double-Os"), CrossFitter, and Clinical Night Pharmacist working the graveyard shift at a large hospital.  Michelles's inclusion of her day-to-day routine is just as helpful and inspiring as her Paleo knowledge.  In addition to learning some great recipes I have learned a lot about the great balancing act of life.  While raising two boys and working nights, Michelle still manages to make fitness and nutrition a priority - not just for herself, but for her entire family.  That's right, the Double-Os are Paleo too!