Congratulations, Lauren & Maxx!
Lauren and Maxx are our November 2021 Members of the Month! They've been long-standing members of PUSH511 attending CrossFit classes on a regular basis, and our coaches had quite a bit to say about why they loving having them in classes:
Maxx and Lauren are both awesome athletes to workout with and incredible humans to be around!
Well deserved athletes of the month- both the humans and doggies of Push agree!! Maxx and Lauren crush every workout they do and love working out beside them because they will always push you to your limits…and more. I recently competed with Lauren and couldn’t have asked for a better partner- she’s strong, humble, a fierce competitor, and a great teammate. Great athletes and people!!
Both of these humans are grade A human beings that I was lucky enough to go from calling strangers to good friends. Lauren is about the most empathetic, sweetest, and funniest people we have at our gym. She's also become one of the fittest women in the gym over the last year or so and has been absolutely crushing it. Maxx, despite his hardened exterior and intimidating, tough-guy demeanor, is actually a big softy. Don't let his long limbs, fitness level, and RBF fool you. Maxx cares deeply about fairness, doing the right thing, and treating people around you with the kindness they deserve. He's also pretty damn fit. These two athletes are some of the best Push has to offer and I'm glad they bought a house recently, so they can't leave :)
Lauren is awesome, and I’m not even sure she is aware of her capability. She is just steadily getting better with every passing month and in the quietest of ways. It’s amazing to her progress over the time she has been with us. I’m really pumped to see all that she will accomplish!
Maxx is a beast, I think we all know. He is very well-rounded and eager to take on tough WODs and pushes others in class. He may be the most humble person we’ve had in the gym, which is special. Once he gets some ankle mobility, he can really go from average to slightly above average.
Lauren is always smiling and has an awesome drive.
Maxx is just so humble always.
Lauren is awesome <3 Always has a positive attitude and is an incredible athlete.
Maxx has a beard. And he’s very tall.
Lauren always puts in the work and goes 110% on every workout. Always coachable and always open to advice/cues. It’s always exciting to see her crush workouts in class.
And oh Maxx… always gives Maxx Effort!
Lauren is an amazing athlete! She works hard and is a model of consistency. She is always pushing herself and the results of her labor are evident as she is always crushing workouts. It was also great to see her test herself in competitions this year. Looking forward to seeing how much farther she can go!
Oh, and Maxx also comes to the gym. Jk tho- Maxx is an absolute force. Maxx showed up and on day one was an amazing athlete and has only improved since. Maxx is someone who has worked hard on his weaknesses and gained on things that make him a strong athlete. Maxx is a beast!
Lauren is very welcoming and fun to work out with!
Maxx smells......well yeah he smells.
Maxx is a diva. Done.
Now, let's get to know our November Members of the Month!
When did you start CrossFit?
- Lauren: September 2017. I made a deal with Maxx that if he caves and gets an Instagram account, I’d start doing CrossFit and here we are today.
- Maxx: December 2013.
What's your fitness background?
- Lauren: I played team sports growing up. I started playing soccer when I was 5. I played field hockey and ran track in high school, while also doing travel soccer in the spring. I think the reason I love CrossFit so much is because it has the same type of group atmosphere.
- Maxx: Swimmer mostly, did some baseball too.
What's your favorite CrossFit movement?
- Lauren: Power clean.
- Maxx: Heavy cleans.
What's your least favorite movement?
- Lauren: Deadlifts = death
- Maxx: Burpees
What do you do for work?
- Lauren: Director of Sales & Customer Service
- Maxx: I build prosthetic limbs
Tell us a little about yourself and your family.
- Lauren: I grew up in Southern Maryland with my family consisting of myself, my parents, 2 older sisters and 2 older brothers. I was raised in a very catholic household and went to Catholic school from K-8. My mom was actually my 6th, 7th & 8th grade teacher. We always had black labs growing up (which is probably why Maxx and I chose to adopt Bentley). I went to Towson University and got my Bachelor’s in Exercise Science. I met my husband, Maxx, while we were working together at a restaurant called Atwater’s during college. I’ve lived almost all my life in Maryland but also have had the amazing opportunity to live in both Houston and San Diego. If it was up to Maxx, we probably would have never left San Diego. I’m currently looking for a career change so if anyone loves their job and is down to tell me about their position and what they do, hit me up!
- Maxx: Me, Lauren, two cats and one dog, a few more animals on the way.
Tell us something we don't know about you!
- Lauren: I live for trash reality TV, the trashier the better.
- Maxx: I enjoy Frolf-ing. Beer, nature, and friendly competition. What's better than that?
How has CrossFit affected your lives outside of the gym?
- Lauren: CrossFit has helped me appreciate my body more than ever. I always attributed the idea of a “good body” to purely the way it looks in comparison to someone else’s. CrossFit has changed my mindset to appreciate my body, instead, based on how much weight my body can lift, the skills I’ve been able to learn, the adaptations I make overtime, and the improvement that comes from hard work.
- Maxx: CrossFit has really cleaned up my diet and made me more aware of what I am putting into my body.
What do you enjoy most about PUSH?
- Lauren: The dogs - Duh.
- Maxx: The community. I've been a part of a lot of gyms and the inclusivity and camaraderie at PUSH is head and shoulders above any others.
What tips would you offer someone who is just getting started with working out?
- Lauren: Don’t compare yourself to other people. Focus on the things you’re most interested in improving or skills you want to learn and our awesome coaches will give you the tips on how to achieve it.
- Maxx: Check your ego at the door and focus on form. You'll get more out of showing up every day and moving correctly than if you try to go hard too soon.
What's your favorite song to work out to?
- Lauren: No Frauds - Nicki Minaj
- Maxx: Recently it's been anything Dada Life
What's your favorite restaurant?
- Lauren: My favorite restaurant of all time is an Italian restaurant in San Diego called Buona Forchetta.
- Maxx: Salt Lick BBQ, Austin TX
Who's your hero (real or fictional)?
- Lauren: My Grandma. She raised 10 kids in a very poor household with no complaints. Meanwhile, I raise our dog Bentley and the 2 cats and that’s plenty for me.
- Maxx: My dad.
What does your frequently used emoji tab look like?
- Lauren:
- Maxx: All the laughing and sarcastic faces, the alcohol ones, and of course the poop and eggplant.
Words to live by or favorite quote?
- Lauren: “Eat Spaghetti to Forgetti your Regretti”
- Maxx: I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.
What's your favorite travel spot?
- Lauren: The best vacation I’ve ever taken was with Maxx to Rome & Capri
- Maxx: Give me a quiet beach and I'm happy
If you could win an Olympic gold medal for any sport, real or fake, what would it be?
- Lauren: Quidditch!
- Maxx: Cup in hand kickball
What's your hidden talent?
- Lauren: Investigative Facebook/social media stalking
- Maxx: I can sleep anywhere at any time.
What are your top five favorite movies?
- Lauren:
- Bridesmaids
- To Kill A Mockingbird
- Dirty Dancing
- 10 Things I Hate About You
- Pride & Prejudice
- Maxx: Insert any Marvel movie.
