CrossFit Midtown is very excited to announce our May 2017 Member of the Month, Dez Johnson! A staple with the evening and weightlifting crew, Dez is quickly becoming one of the strongest members at CFM. Read on to learn more about Dez and her CrossFit journey. Thank you for being such an outstanding member of the CFM community!
Name: Desiree Johnson
Nickname: Dez * yes Dez is my nickname not first lol *
Age: in her 30’s wink
Hometown: Orlando, FL lived in CA, OK, and TX and now GA
How did you get exposed to CrossFit? I had been working out at a “gym” with a personal trainer and started to get very bored with my workouts and no longer seeing any results. One of the ladies that I did a lot of training sessions with told me about CrossFit. She said that she was going to switch and that I would really have fun with it. So I began looking into it and was really amazed by it. I ended up moving and getting a job in a different area and didn’t have a home gym anymore. So this manager that I worked for at the time (let’s call her Oz lol) was working at CF Atlanta with the rugby team. I asked if I could come watch one night, she said sure but how about you come do the workout. So I did, and I enjoyed it!
What brought you to CrossFit Midtown: Heidi and Mike. I remember meeting Mike a few times. I would low key wait for Heidi to tell me what part of her body was sore from a workout. I would listen fully with excitement as she told me about the WODs. So I finally asked her how do I get in touch with him. I e-mailed him and said hey can I come join your gym.
What was your very first day at CrossFit Midtown like? Very humbling lol. I was still in the middle of foundations and was doing a group morning WOD that Travis was coaching. It was a WOD that had box jumps, med ball slams and maybe KB swings. I was in the corner with my little “12” box on the struggle bus. Everyone was finishing up and I was the last one still going. It was that moment when you feel like your failing and you just want to tap out. Something wonderful happens that you’ve never experience before. Pure, unconditional support and encouragement from strangers. My first real group class and you don’t know me and I don’t know you, but your standing here seeing me thru till the end. I was hooked and haven’t looked back since.
What changes have you seen in your overall health and fitness level since starting CrossFit? The biggest thing I’ve seen with myself is my overall mental strength. The old Dez would have stopped workouts when it became “hard,” if I was sore or tired, or I’d say no I don’t like that machine, I’ll do something that’s easier. I still may slow down, but I have yet to just give up completely on a workout!!! That’s winning in my book! My cardio is getting better. I don’t think I will ever like running but I do it when I have to. Of course I’ve seen myself getting very strong with moving weights around. I had no idea that would enjoy it that much.
What kind of changes have you you experienced since starting CrossFit that were completely unexpected? I know it sounds cheesy but all of it. I didn’t expect much of anything but to come in, workout, and go home. I had no clue that almost 2 yrs later I would be apart of such amazing group of uplifting, inspiring people that I can call friends (like my social media life is strong because of CFM … just saying) I know that I can just be myself here. Good days or bad this community will always be here for me. Along with my new found love of lifting weights! Now that’s a fun confidence booster for sure.
Favorite WOD: Grace & DT, I love barbell workouts; that’s my jam!!!!!
Least favorite WOD: anything with burpees and running, but of course everyone knows that 🙂
Favorite CrossFit Midtown moment: I actually have a lot and its hard to pick just one. I’m really starting to find myself with the Barbell Club. I love how much we laugh and how we really push each other. It’s been great! I always look forward to hearing what Sarah is going to yell out when she needs to move heavy weights (lol “goodness”). Oh and Peach dressing up as Mike this past Halloween was so funny!!!! No, but really I always have a great time at CFM. If it’s BBQ ,parties, challenges, The Open, and even everyday WODs, it’s always a great time.
Hobbies, Talents and or Interests Outside of CrossFit: Okay so this is a safe place right? I like watching medical YouTube videos i.e. Dr. pimple popper, new knee procedures, shoulder ect. I’m not weird guys. So back in college I was a student athletic trainer and we were able to go watch real surgeries. I just like to stay current with health and medical stuff.
Advice for new CrossFitters: Just keep showing up. Keep going. Keep moving. You don’t have to be the fastest, the strongest, the most physically fit person in the box. But you’re in the box, you made it that far. It’s so easy to tell yourself to quit, to not get up and go, this is too hard, or I can never do that. Instead of all the no’s just show up, you have nothing to loose. This community won’t let you fail.
