March 2017 Incendian of the Month – Sarah Silver

We are excited to honor the March 2017 Incendian of the Month: Sarah Silver! 

Sarah is an Incendian OG. She has been part of the #IncendiaFAM since May of 2013. She has been through it all: Crazy Growth, Paleo Challenges, Expansion, Macros, Ignite, Retail Set Up, Competitions, Parties, KidCare, Wodify….everything we have experienced in the last (almost) four years together. And, you know what? Sarah has been a calming, supportive force through it all….even driving 16 miles one way to get to her “home away from home.” 

She is your “Dream Member.” Sarah is the first to help, the first to lend support and the first to find excitement in everything. We just love her to pieces and we have affectionately named her “The Incendia Unicorn” because a creature like her is so rare. 

We love watching Sarah in Strongman. She has really found her place lifting heavy sh*t, under the guidance of Coach Don. You look at her and think to yourself, “I cannot believe that little thing is going to lift that heavy <insert strongman device>. Then you see her complete the lift and humbly smile when it’s over. It’s pretty freakin’ cool! 

Congrats, Sarah! You truly deserve this honor 🙂 

When did you start CrossFit:

I started CrossFit in May 2013.

Why did you start CrossFit:

I was so stuck in my fitness and really was struggling to find anything that I loved. I had done yoga for a few years but was getting bored with it. I had this awesome friend named Amanda who started telling me how she had found CrossFit, and how much she was getting out of it. My aunt had a friend who coached at Incendia and asked me to meet her there to try it out. Well, my aunt never showed and I got my booty handed to me so I knew I had to sign up.

What kept you coming back and what keeps you motivated:

The people are what made me come back initially. I had my friends that would meet for 101 3 days a week. I had no muscle tone at all and I remember thinking all of the movements were so hard for me to do. An 18# kettlebell was torture for me! I knew I was better than that, so I kept going. All the coaches were so amazing and I had never been to a gym where people actually talk to you … what a concept!! Having small victories were great and then my friends who I signed up with left the gym, but I was hooked.

What keeps me motivated is always wanting to be better. I am not the fastest runner or the heaviest lifter, but I want to be able to move up to the next weight in a lift, string more pull-ups together, get a better time on a WOD. Seeing a WOD come back up that you did a while ago is a great challenge to get you there and see if you can do better.

What is the best thing you have gotten out of doing CrossFit?

Hands down: confidence. Never did I think joining a gym would change every aspect of my life. The mental game that Crossfit helps you develop trickles down into all aspects of your life; your friendships, your relationships, your work life and how you treat yourself. The people I get to see there every day and the community that is Incendia is really one of a kind and the support is the best!

What is the one thing you have done here that you never thought you could do?

That’s a long list! Pull ups … I never thought I could ever do a pull up. Now I can even squeak out some strict pull-ups, which is so crazy to someone who literally had sticks for arms a few short years ago!

What is one goal you have reached? And, one goal you still hope to reach?

I was able to lift the 120-pound atlas ball in Strongman. I had missed it a few days before so I went back to just do that one thing and I got it. I would love to be able to butterfly my pull-ups so I can get through WODs faster.

How has your diet changed since starting CrossFit?

It has completely changed. When I started I thought I was a healthy eater which meant lots of soup, pasta, Starbucks and wine on a daily basis. I didn’t always feel great but figured that’s just how it was. My first Paleo Challenge was September 2013 and I didn’t expect to get much out of it (I almost quit before it started!) but it changed how I looked at food. It was a relief to not look at calories or fat, but what was actually in the food I was eating. It forced me to learn how to cook and helped me identify food allergies. I have learned how to listen to my body and meal prep and do what works for me. I can honestly say I am the healthiest I have ever been and feel the best that I ever have.

What is your favorite…..

CrossFit Movement or Lift? – I really love power cleans.

Cheat Meal? –I don’t really do ‘cheat meals’ but Postinos GF Bruschetta is a total treat and seriously AMAZING!

WOD Music? – 90’s Hip Hop!

Thing to Do on Rest Day? – I am so lazy on rest days … I clean my house, meal prep and lay on the couch and watch crappy reality TV.

WOD Attire? –Lulu Speed Shorts in the summer and Zella Leggings in the winter. A loose tank top because sleeves suck.

Workout? –I like Grace … Or anything we do in Strongman… Don gets creative!

Additional comments/anything you’d like to add?

I feel very fortunate that I found CrossFit and this gym in particular. The people are some of the best people I have ever met and am so happy that working out has become fun again. I love that there is always something to work on and improve on and that this space allows for change, supports it and celebrates your small accomplishments. I really don’t know what my life would look like had I not joined CrossFit but I know it wouldn’t be as amazing as it is now. Thank you to Brian & Lisa for creating this incredible community!