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Member Feature: Julia Furer

December 03, 2018 - 1:25PM

Since Julia has started at DogTown, she has grown as an athlete, as a person and an integral member of our community! Naturally strong, her numbers have increased astronomically over the course of 4 years. She has an impressive, hefty 300 plus pound deadlift.

Julia has been an awesome member who has participated and helped organize our Crush Cancer fundraiser over the last three years in which time, she alone has raised over $150,000. Jules is literally the best!

Thanks,
Coach Dusty





Q: What was your health and fitness like prior to CrossFit?

A: Growing up I loved playing sports and competitive soccer pretty much ruled my life through high school, but my fitness totally dropped off during college and the years following. Prior to joining DogTown I would go to LA Fitness a couple of days per week, hop on the elliptical or treadmill for 30 minutes and then awkwardly walk by all of the weight machines telling myself I'll try them next time. I joined a lot of group fitness classes like spin and step and even got into Zumba for a bit, but I could not find anything that kept my interest or made much of a difference in my fitness level. When I started at DogTown I could not do a single push-up!



Q: How long have you been doing CrossFit and what inspired you to start?

A: I started at DogTown 5 1/2 years ago. I actually had no interest in trying CrossFit because I thought for sure it would be too hard and I wouldn't enjoy it. A friend of mine had been a member at DogTown and kept pushing me to try a class, insisting I would love it. A couple of years later her cousin Olivia, who happens to be my sister-in-law (it's a very cute story), had moved to LA and had also joined DogTown, so now I had two people pressuring me to try CrossFit. I finally agreed to go to a "Bring A Friend Saturday" figuring I'd appease them by trying it once and would never have to go back. I do not remember what the workout was, but I do remember thinking I might die. My next thought was, "I can't wait to do that again!" I joined that Monday!

Q: What are your favorite movements and workouts and what are your least favorite?

A: I love any workout that has a lot of barbell. Deadlifts, squats (any kind), and double unders are my favorite movements. I don’t love to run, but I have gotten A LOT better at it since starting CrossFit. Gymnastics movements are definitely the most challenging for me, but my least favorite has to be wall walks. They make my head feel like it might explode.

Q: What is one of your most proud CrossFit moments and what is one of your more embarrassing ones?

A: My proudest CrossFit moment was when I finally figured out how to link together my toes to bar. After about 3 1/2 years of practice and conceding that it was just never going to happen, things finally clicked and I figured it out. I was so excited and relieved! My most embarrassing moment happened at the old gym during the warm up run when I tripped and flew what felt like 10 feet onto the sidewalk. Less than 2 weeks later I fell again at the exact same spot. I still have the scars on my knees to prove it.

Q: What are your CrossFit goals?

A: I have never really set any specific CrossFit goals. My hope is that I continue to get stronger and move faster. My endurance remains my biggest weakness, but also where I have improved the most since starting CrossFit, so I hope my stamina and aerobic capacity continues to increase.



Q: When it comes time for Crush Cancer, you are the top female fundraiser. What is it that inspires you to be such a significant part of it?

A: Like everyone else my life has been impacted by cancer. I lost a grandfather to cancer, have aunts and uncles who are survivors, and an aunt who is currently in the fight. They inspire me, but I also look at Crush Cancer as an investment in my own future. Perhaps the energy and time I put into fundraising now will one day save my own life. Also, I am the Director of Development for a nonprofit, so fundraising is my area of expertise. I have no problem asking people for money, and luckily I have very supportive family and friends who believe in the mission of Crush Cancer.

Q: Since you are a DogTown OG, have you changed your approach to training over the years? If so, how?

A: Absolutely! When I first started I was so excited by how quickly I was improving, getting stronger, figuring out new movements, and hitting new PRs regularly. After the first year or so, as my body had now acclimated to daily high impact exercise, I knew I was still improving, but the difference was not as drastic and the PR's were not happening as often. I really had to adjust my expectations for myself so I would not feel disappointed. Now, 5 1/2 years in, my approach to training is really just to show up and have fun with my friends. All of the benefits that come along with doing CrossFit are wonderful, but it's my DogTown family that keeps me excited to come in every day.

Q: Any advice you can give to a newbie at DogTown?

A: Keep coming! In the beginning you will be sore all of the time, intimidated by a lot of the movements, unsure of yourself, and probably doubtful that CrossFit is for you. If you are consistent I promise you will quickly begin to see physical results, feel so much better, and have more energy. You will feel proud of yourself every day. Also, we are a very friendly bunch and love welcoming new people. Put yourself out there to be social with your classmates. Most of my closest friends in LA are people I met at DogTown, and I am so thankful for that!

Q: What have been the most surprising changes in yourself that you have experienced since starting at DogTown?

A: I can't believe that I actually love and even crave exercise now. Before CrossFit I worked out because I knew I had to be healthy, but I never actually enjoyed it. It always felt like a chore and something I often dreaded doing. I thought people who said they loved working out were literally crazy. I totally get it now because I am officially one of them.



Q: What 2 things can you share with our DogTown family that they may not know about you?

A: In college, I traveled around the world on a ship for 5 months through a program called Semester At Sea. We went to The Bahamas, Cuba, Brazil, South Africa, Tanzania, India, South Korea, Japan, Canada, and Alaska. It was the most incredible experience of my life!

My middle fingers are very crooked and I was super embarrassed by them as a kid and would try to hide them. Now I think they're fun and cute!

Member Feature: Jordan Alexander

October 29, 2018 - 5:20PM

Jordan Alexander joined DogTown about a year and a half ago. When he arrived, he was there to get stronger for rock climbing. He was not that interested in dialing in nutrition and had no idea how vested in CrossFit he would get. Over the course of the last year, Jordan has begun a transformation that continues to evolve. Our dude loves extreme stuff, hard and fast workouts and has an innate ability for body awareness in gymnastic movement.  While his sheer will is something to marvel at, he has also developed a willingness to slow down and learn the proper mechanics that will keep him getting stronger and staying healthy into old age.  As a coach, I love grit and hard work first and foremost.  He embodies these qualities and with some structure and slowing his roll, he is making huge gains in and outside of the gym. If you have the chance to take a class with Jordan, you will quickly find that his energy and hard work are contagious.
Coach Dusty



Q: What was your health and fitness like prior to CrossFit?
A: Prior to CrossFit, I worked out a few times a week at LA Fitness and did rock climbing at Hangar 18. I joined DogTown to gain strength for climbing. However, I ended up addicted to Crossfit so haven’t been climbing as much!

Q: How long have you been doing CrossFit and what inspired you to start?
A: I’ve been doing CrossFit for a little over 18 months. I started because I wanted to get stronger for climbing. I ended up putting rock climbing on hold and focused on CrossFit. The few times I’ve been back to rock climbing gyms, my results have been crazy different. I can climb at much higher levels due to strength. I still need to make it a priority again though along with CrossFit since I do love climbing too.

I now feel better at 32 years of age than I’ve ever felt in my life.

Q: What are your favorite movements and workouts and what are your least favorite?
A: Bar muscle ups or anything gymnastics based. Gymnastics is usually the highlight of my week when I’m in town! Love being upside down and focusing on movements and seeing actual results such as getting my first bar muscle up or ring muscle up! Favorite workouts are any that are short and brutal! I’m not the best at maintaining a pace.

Q: What is one of your most proud CrossFit moments and what is one of your more embarrassing ones?
A: Proudest CrossFit moment so far has been 10 consecutive bar muscle ups.
Most embarrassing was letting go of the bar doing toes-to-bar and almost hitting the electrical outlet. Letting go of the bar is not recommended from personal experience.

Q: What are your CrossFit goals?
A: To get stronger! Prior to CrossFit, I was skinny fat. I want to continue getting better at movements and overall just being healthy. Beyond that, 5 consecutive ring muscle ups and consistent handstand walking!

Editor’s Note: Jordan also aspires to beat Missy and Vanessa at workouts.

Q: You’ve been training 1:1 with Dusty once a week for the last few months.  What have been the biggest changes and successes since?
A: Working with Dusty has been a highlight of my CrossFit experience. Over the past few months, I’ve seen a huge increase in mobility and overall strength. Beyond that, he inspires me to get better every day. It’s not about immediate results but becoming better little by little each day.

Q: You approach CrossFit with a solid work ethic and a no fear attitude. Where does that come from (and how can we all get that?)
A: Work ethic / no fear just comes from wanting to be better every day. I consistently record what I do each day at the gym so I can always look back on it and see where I can improve / be better. I’m just trying to be faster and stronger than I was the day before!
 
Q: Any advice you can give to a newbie at DogTown?
A: Be consistent! The pain of that first workout is temporary. If you stay consistent, you’ll consistently get better. Beyond that, set goals and work to achieve them!

Q: You are doing a Tough Mudder in November. Here’s your chance for a #shameless plug to persuade other members to participate. Go!
A:  Nov.3 at Lake Elsinore. 10 miles. 20 obstacles. I had a bunch of friends going originally and they bailed because they hadn’t trained or anything like that. Come get muddy and hang out!

Q: : What 2 things can you share with our DogTown family that they may not know about you?
A: I’ve been skiing since I was two years old and it’s by far my favorite thing to do! I’ve also been to more than 30 countries in the past 4 years and hope to hit every country around the world eventually!




 

Member Feature: Jim

October 21, 2018 - 7:21PM

 
One of the greatest things about CrossFit is that when anyone sets into the box, they are an athlete. Nobody is judged based on what their job is or what their title is or where they grew up or the stressful day they had. We are all there to work out and be better than we were yesterday.

Everyone is bonded simply for being in the pain cave together. We push each other, we inspire each other. We cheer for each other. (We tease each other). We are a community.

So many of us though have really inspiring stories that do not get the attention they deserve. One of the most quintessential unique traits about CrossFit is that people are there after overcoming some really hard, difficult shit. And with Crush Cancer just around the corner, it’s a great time to get to know one of our very own DogTown members, Jim Agee (and his wife and workout motivator, Ellen).  About three years ago in August of 2015, Jim started experiencing pain that went up his leg into his back. On the third day, the pain was excruciating enough that Jim and Ellen went to Urgent Care. They were quickly sent to a urologist that same day who arranged for MRI’s to be taken. 

A tumor was found on Jim’s lower back, up against his spine. He was seen by an oncologist who was upfront with Jim and Ellen on his diagnosis, which was non-Hodgkin’s  Lymphoma. He was also adamant that they would tackle it any which way they needed to. Jim felt like he was in good hands, and the promising  news was he had a 90% chance of beating it.

And so Jim began 6 treatments of chemotherapy, each session three weeks apart. Jim felt pretty good, all things considered, during chemo until around the 4th session. The tiredness he felt is indescribable.

In January of 2016, Jim had finished his chemotherapy and the tumor was gone. Mentally, he was ready to regain his health and when he asked his doctor how long recovery would take, he was told 2 years. Jim was a bit skeptical of that long of a period, but the doctor was right on about that. It did indeed take that long to get back to a sort of baseline of health that he felt prior to his cancer diagnosis.





Coincidentally (which is a bit sarcastic as there is no such thing in life as coincidences) around the same time that Jim began his recovery, Ellen began her CrossFit journey. She had great success with it (Ellen is a rock star!) and as all loving wives do, she inspired Jim to sign up as well. Like everyone who comes through DogTown’s  On Ramp program, Jim was humbled by the workouts. He stuck with it though and more than a year later, Jim has come to love and thrive off of doing CrossFit. Prior to CrossFit (and his diagnosis),  Jim and Ellen did a lot of outdoor cycling  and were into century rides that are 100 miles! Ellen also has done several AIDS Life Cycle from San Francisco to Los Angeles and will be going again in 2019.

In comparison,  Jim “enjoys” (again a loose term as does anyone really enjoy CrossFit workouts?) CrossFit because he likes having quick and dirty full body workouts.  When they were biking, while it was fun, it was a much bigger time commitment, like spending all day Saturdays on longer rides. Jim also had no idea he would enjoy Olympic Lifting either! He loves the community of coaches and athletes and being around people who push him and motivate him to go harder.  He is appreciative of the support he gets there and CrossFit is definitely going to be a mainstay for our power couple!



Crush Cancer is happening on SATURDAY OCTOBER 27, 2018 AT DOGTOWN CROSSFIT.

Click: here to donate.

HERE'S THE STORY

Stand Up and join us in the 8th Annual 2018 Crush Cancer event that benefits Stand Up To Cancer’s collaborative cancer research! This year, the main Crush Cancer event will be held in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday, October 27th. In addition, gyms from across the country and around the world will be hosting their own events- all with the goal of raising as much money as possible for Stand Up To Cancer. Crush Cancer is an endurance fundraising event and health expo where participants must raise $150 in order to participate.
This circuit-training-style workout includes five different exercises, and participants are encouraged to perform as many reps possible for one minute. They then get one minute of rest and repeat the workout twice. The health expo is open all day and features restaurants and businesses- as well as the biggest brands in the endurance workout space. Crush Cancer has raised over $875,000 in the past 7 years and gyms from across the U.S. (from Los Angeles to Boston) and the world (from Dubai to the UK to the Philippines) have participated and now it is your turn to get involved!
Join us this fall to Stand Up To Cancer! If you cannot attend our LA event, contact Kara Gross (email Kara at dogtowncrossfit.com) about creating your own local fundraiser!