CONGRATULATIONS LAURA!
A few words from her fellow peeps & coaches…..
People who know me, know that I am an extremely sappy person. So, in true form, this comment about Laura will not be any different. I have been a member of the PUSH community for nearly 2 years, and I am truly blessed for all of the wonderful people that I have met and become friends with. There are so many people at the box who I admire and strive to emulate. However, of all the people that have walked into my life, I can say with the utmost confidence that Laura stands at the top of the list of people who has changed my life in the most positive way possible. To say that someone has actually changed your life, is a true testament of how amazing that person truly is. Well, Laura really is that amazing and the reason why I nominated her for MOM.
My friendship with Laura and the rest of the 6 am crew truly has grown over the past year. With spending countless hours with the girls figuring out how to entertain everyone with our costumes, exchanging HUNDREDS of texts per day (yes, we do work), pushing each other to our limits during WODs, getting our pump on and doing “beach body” workouts as a trio with Krista, “annoying” the coaches because we never stop talking at 6 am, and always shooting for a goal together as a team, I really can’t imagine the void that would be created if Laura was not around. Laura brings such happiness and laughter, and is the type of friend that everyone deserves to have because she instills confidence in you when you do not believe in yourself and always pushes you to be better in the box and in life.
I think that this nomination is so timely, especially with all of the achievements that Laura accomplished during this past Open. I have never really been a believer of the “Open magic,” but I am now a believer after witnessing the new benchmarks that Laura has created for herself – from PR’g a 135# squat snatch and getting not one but EIGHT first bar muscle ups! Laura is living evidence that nothing is impossible when you work your butt off and believe in yourself.
I am so proud to call Laura my friend and very grateful to have her as an awesome training partner to obsess over CrossFit together! Good job Laura and keep on being amazing!
Yeah Laura! She is such a happy person, always smiling, laughing, lifting heavy barbells, and cheering her peers. She is PR’ng all over the place, killing the open, motivating people to follow and she is such a great supportive friend! It is super exciting to see her grow into a strong confident athlete.
When you hear Laura saying that she is incapable of doing something tell her to stop with the “fake news”. First CrossFit competition - podium finish, bar muscle ups in the open - she got 8 of them, 135# Snatch - no problem. All as a result of hard work and dedication. And a little chalk powder magic.
Seriously, Laura is a CrossFit rock star. Her double-unders are the nectar of the gods. Her snatch is a work of art! She’s so good, and she doesn’t even realize it! Most importantly, Laura is an amazing dancer! I got a PR because of her performance to Will Smith song “J”. She’s one of those people that you feel like you’ve known forever, and she makes everyone feel so welcome. We hang out on the couch with coffee after the WOD because it’s the best part of our day. She inspires everyone to do better while busting out some serious moves. She’s incredibly dedicated to becoming better without taking life too seriously. And her Moscow Mule is incredible! I think I want to marry her!
Laura is always smiling and putting in the extra work. It’s not uncommon to see Laura show up on a Saturday at 8 am and stay until Noon while she sits on the couch, cheers on other athletes, drinks excessive amounts of coffee and occasionally walks over to the pull-up bar to try a few butterfly pull-ups or bar muscle ups. She is always there for her morning crew, cheering them on, encouraging them through a tough workout. She recently started the Renaissance Periodization “diet” and toughed it out through all the initial cravings (which is kudos in itself) but really transformed her body (and even attitude) by doing it. Congrats on all your recent successes, Laura!
Can’t think of a more deserving person!
Laura (or Laurie as we fondly refer to her) is absolutely deserving of this award! I mean, who else will forgive you when you decide to sleep in and miss working out with her even though you planned it?…(Still sorry lol).
In all seriousness, Laura is a fantastic athlete, and more importantly a wonderful human being. She’s one of the reasons I truly enjoy getting up in the morning to make the 6 AM class. She’s patient, funny, and an awesome competitor/athlete - a true blast to be around. She’s either crushing WODs, giving strong encouragement to the rest of us, or…dancing…This gal pushes us all to be better and exemplifies what makes the PUSH Community so great. Congrats again!!!!!
Determined – Fun – Level Headed – Amazing Human Being!
Laura is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to snatching but also a force for fun. She is the first to throw down & play along with a funny theme, crazy costume or just silly music - that she can’t help but dance to. She’ll push you to put a bit more weight on the bar & probably make you laugh while you do it. 6 am wouldn’t be the same without her.
Laura is one of my morning opponents and also one of the most coachable ladies in the gym. While she typically is laughing at me instead of with me, she’s truly been a great smile to see on a daily basis. She may carry on that she hates a movement in a WOD, but her competitive spirit comes out in full force once that clock starts. Extra curricular work, some Neanderthal diet, and the latest gym fashion trends, Laura keeps pushing for more. I’m almost certain she’s unemployed and stays at the gym to drink the coffee….but you know what, I’ll take that company any day.
Now A Few Words From Laura
Shut the front door! You guys are all so awesome!
Started CrossFit: July 2013, came to PUSH511 August 2015
What is your fitness background: My family is really into sports so I have been playing something since I was around 5. I spent most of my years playing softball, soccer, basketball, and volleyball. Started rugby in high school and tried out for the USA U-19 team (sadly, was not picked). I also figure skated for about three years as a kid and danced (tap and ballet) for almost ten years (as evidenced by my killer dance moves). I played college basketball and did some cool things like set some records and stuff. It was neat. After college I learned how to snowboard, coached college basketball and spent way to much time thinking cardio was the only way to be fit.
Favorite Movement: Anyone that knows me knows this answer: power cleans, snatches and double-unders!
Least Favorite Movement: Just one? Nah, you get all of them: burpees, HSPU (ha, 17.4….), ring dips and air squats.
Occupation: Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Baltimore School of Law
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family: I grew up outside of Detroit and moved to Baltimore four years ago with my boyfriend. I was the oops baby when my parents thought they were done after two kids. Apparently, they went to a really great party. I am a self-identified cat lady and have three furballs roaming around my house (yes, feel free to make fun of me). I am also an aunt to two small humans and teaching them ways to annoy my sister and brother-in-law has become a hobby for me.
Tell us something we don’t know about you: So, I am not making this up, I seriously did not know my sisters real name until she got her drivers license. My whole life we have called her Annie, and when she showed me her license it said “Anne.” I told her they spelled her name wrong and forgot the i. Turns out, her legal name is Anne and I had no idea. Basically, I am the best little sister on the planet.
Words to live by or Favorite Quote: If you are going through hell, keep going. - Winston Churchill
How has CrossFit affected your life outside the gym: It has reminded me of what it means to be consistent, which was something that was lacking in my life. I wasn’t very consistent with my training the first two years (I would take a month or two off, using work as an excuse) and would get upset about my lack of progression. I finally made the decision when I came to PUSH that I was going to implement consistency into my gym time and was amazed with how quickly I have improved. It has forced me to look at all aspects of my life (diet, relationships, work) where consistency was lacking and make changes. Life is so much better when I am purposefully consistent.
What do you enjoy most about PUSH: I started CrossFit initially to meet people after I moved, but it wasn’t until I came to PUSH that I finally found the awesome community I didn’t realize was missing from my life. It has brought me together with people who understand the joy in hitting a PR and the frustration of feeling like you aren’t progressing. There are so many people I admire at the gym and so many people I want to be like! You all push me to keep trying new movements, add more weight, and remind me to believe in myself when I just want to quit. I love waking up early and heading to PUSH to hang out with the morning crew!
Fill in the Blank:
I like… the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pirates, coffee, peanut butter, a good beer or gin and tonic, working out in the morning and quoting movies.
I eat… green beans, rice, peanut butter and casein pudding everyday.
I do… spend way too much time on my phone looking at lifting videos, shopping on amazon and wasting time on Instagram. Shout out to the 6 am text message thread that gets me through the work day haha.
I am…always saying hi to people on the street. Apparently, that is weird here.
Favorite Cheat Meal…Thai food. All the freaking Thai food.
Favorite Real-Life Hero/Athlete…Pat Summit, she was, hands down, the best basketball coach. I really wish I had the chance to play for her.
I can’t thank you all enough for bringing so much joy to my life and nominating me for this! You guys are all awesome people and make working out so much fun!
