Congratulations Cristina! Cynergy CrossFit’s Athlete Spotlight for June!
Cristina has been a constant in the 5AM class and comes in ready to work with the best attitude! She never walks away from a challenge and is a joy to coach. She is very generous with the other athletes especially when a bike is involved! 🙂 Thank you Cristina for showing up and being part of the Cynergy family!! Keep up the great work!
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What do you do for work?
I own a pet care business in East Bridgewater called the Secret Garden Pet Resort. I have founded the business in 2001 when I opened a small grooming shop in Bridgewater next to the Bridgewater Veterinary clinic. In 2006 my late husband Brendan and I purchased the 30-acre property in East Bridgewater and started renovating the existing boarding facility. After my husband’s passing, my oldest daughter Lara joined the business which is now co-owned by the two of us.
What would you like us to know about you and your family?
I was born and raised in Milano, Italy. I moved to the US in 1996 to be with my husband Brendan. After graduating from Bridgewater State College with a degree in Management, I started my small business which has sustained my family and I throughout these years. My two daughters Lara and Allyson have been my only family in this country since the death of my husband Brendan in 2011. My family of origin still lives in Italy. However, I now have an extended family through Lara’s engagement. We have also welcomed baby Maisy, my first grandchild born May 2020 whom I occasionally have the pleasure to babysit.
What is one thing that we may not know about you.
The name of my business The Secret Garden is after a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, my favorite book as a child.
How long have you been CrossFitting?
I joined CrossFit in the Fall of 2019 after becoming annoyed with the schedule changes at the YMCA. I looked for an alternate gym in the area and I came across Cynergy CrossFit. I did not think I knew what I was getting into at the time, but after the first class I was immediately hooked!
What time do you typically train?
I like to train early in the morning for several different reasons the most important being that my work rarely interferes with the 5 am class and that in the summer it’s cooler and more enjoyable. It also sets me up to the right mood and pace to tackle each day in a productive way.
What is your favorite lift and why?
I like deadlifts. I feel it is the lift that I make the most progress because I have strong legs and a strong core. My upper body strength is still developing and I’m struggling to use the lifting techniques effectively.
What is your favorite WOD and why?
I love WODs that require endurance more than strength. I like WODs that focus on wall balls, burpees, up downs and running, I seem to score better on those.
What are your current CF goals?
I would like to become more consistent with my double unders, improve rope climbing and be able to do pull ups which are still so far from being achievable to me.
What are your current life goals?
My current life goals are to be able to maintain a comfortable balance with my work. I want to have time to cultivate a deeper relationship with family and friends and to travel often back to my country of origin to spend time with my family.
What is your most memorable time as a CrossFitter?
Probably happened very recently when I discovered I was able to climb the rope. My previous attempts before the pandemic did not produce any results and now suddenly, I’m climbing…what happened?!
How has CF impacted your life outside of the box?
CrossFit was the missing piece in my life. When I joined. it became clear to me that physical strength is an integral part of a well-rounded life. I am reminded daily that I need to keep challenging myself if I want to grow and become a stronger person mentally, and physically. On days when I am feeling tired and do not perform as well as I would like, I am able to be kind to myself: I am still showing up while I allow my body to recover.
How would you best describe Cynergy to others?
A great place for anybody to grow their physical ability and stay fit. Coaches are competent and not pushy. They are truly there to teach and guide you through a safe process that will show results. They set and reinforce values that help maintain a healthy internal culture: Cynergy embraces diversity and respects members’ gender, race, age and physical abilities or limitations. Everybody is welcomed and supported at Cynergy CrossFit.
I love coming to CrossFit. It is the best start to my day and has kept me in the best shape of my life for months now. I love finding the familiar faces in the morning and laugh at our inside jokes.
Cristina’s WOD
For Time:
400M Run
5-10-15-20-15-10-5
Wall Balls
Hand Release Push-Ups
400M Run