Get to know Coach Shannon!

Shannon is PUSH511's Head Coach & Program Coordinator! She is one of our personal trainers and coaches group CrossFit classes. Shannon shares a little about herself and why she loves sharing her passion for fitness at PUSH:

When did you start CrossFit? I started CrossFit in late January of 2015.

When did you start coaching at PUSH511? I began coaching in June of 2016.

What is your fitness background outside of CrossFit? I played competitive soccer for 23 years leading up to when I started CrossFit. I played at the Travel, ODP, and collegiate levels. I was also a three-sport athlete in high school, soccer, basketball, and track and field. When I graduated college I committed myself to lose the extra weight I gained and it evolved into a passion for CrossFit.

Tell us a little about yourself and your family. I have an older brother. My Dad and Mom live in Montgomery County Maryland.

Tell us something we don't know about you! I prefer country/bluegrass music when I'm outside of the gym.

What is your favorite CrossFit movement? That’s hard, there are so many and they’re all so different. I love both Olympic lifts, but my favorite is definitely the split jerk. Also a huge fan of ring and bar muscle-ups.

What is your least favorite movement? Regular old push-ups or strict handstand push-ups.

When do you normally coach? I coach the noon and 4 pm classes Monday-Thursday every week.

Do you prefer working out in the morning, afternoon, or evening, and why? I prefer the afternoon. I find that strength work Is a lot easier and more effective if I have a couple of meals in me. I’m not a big fan of working out late because it’s usually hard to wind down. Also not a morning person. I find that everything feels much harder in the morning, especially if you aren’t used to it.

What is your favorite song to work out to? This changes often, but right now: “Whole Lotta Money REMIX” by Bia and Nicki Minaj

How has CrossFit affected your life outside of the gym? CrossFit changed my life completely outside of the gym. I was able to make the connection between total commitment to a process and seeing it through to the end. I probably wouldn’t have gone back to school to get a degree in Exercise Science if I hadn’t started CrossFit. I’ve also made life-long friends at the gym.

What do you enjoy the most about coaching? I love connecting with people. I know what it’s like to walk through the gym doors and want to leave the outside world behind you, and it’s nice to be able to help others do that.

What’s the next goal you’re looking to achieve as an athlete? I’d like to compete at the elite level in the next year, whether team or individual. I have some ambitious strength numbers I’d like to hit and the same can be said for gymnastics movements. But for right now, just continuing to stay healthy and manage injury is good enough.

What’s the next goal you’re looking to achieve as a coach? I’m working on getting my Precision Nutrition certification as well as my L3.

What’s one thing you’d like to say to all of our athletes at PUSH511? If you have a serious goal you’d like to achieve that’s gym/fitness-related, you will need to work at it and not expect to get success just by showing up to class.

What tips would you offer someone who is just getting started with CrossFit? The process takes a longgggg time. Be patient and learn things right so you don’t have to unlearn them later.

What is your favorite place to vacation? I’m a big beach gal in the summer and a big mountain gal in the fall/winter. I don’t have one single place.

If you could have any superpower, what would that superpower be and why? Invisibility so I can be sneaky and scare my friends.

If you could only watch one show for the rest of your life, what would it be? The Office. Forever.

If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? What I’m doing now :)