CrossFit Midtown is very excited to announce our 2026 April Member of the Month, Donají Carrillo Castro! Dona has been a member since November 2023. She has hit huge PRs, made great friends, and become a staple in the 7:00 pm class! Read on to learn more about Dona and her CrossFit journey. Thank you for being such an outstanding member of the CFM community!
Name: Donají Carrillo Castro
Nickname: Donna or Dona
Age: why?
Hometown: Toluca, Mexico State, Mexico
How did you get exposed to CrossFit?
A friend who was into CrossFit invited me to the Open announcement for 17.4 in Mexico City—Brooke Wells and Brenda Castro. It was packed and I didn’t make it inside, but he did. I still have a video he shared with me. Months later, I joined him for a class and stuck with it until my shoulder needed a break from all the fun.
What brought you to CrossFit Midtown?
I actually met a former CrossFit Midtown athlete that just moved to Los Angeles and joined the gym where I was doing weightlifting. I told him I was moving to Atlanta for work and asked if he knew a place where I could keep lifting. He recommended CrossFit Midtown… and then it only took me a few years to actually show up. No rush, right?
What was your very first day at CrossFit Midtown like?
It wasn’t as intimidating as I had built up in my head. Coach Cam was so friendly and welcoming that signing up was easy (although I’ve made my decision ahead of coming) He is so nice at Foundations that I told him he should start a Foundations 2.0 class when I graduated from it.
What kind of changes have you you experienced since starting CrossFit that were completely unexpected (ie. new friends, “family”, the community, more self confidence, etc)?
I definitely didn’t expect my upper body strength to improve the way it has. I’ve always been active and liked lifting, but the pull-up program here works fast. I still have a lot to improve, but getting strict pull-ups feels like a major milestone—especially as a woman.
What I really didn’t expect, though, was the community. I didn’t think I’d make such good friends or be this close to such a strong group of inspiring women. (The guys are good too, don’t get me wrong.) There’s something special about being surrounded by women who push you, support each other, and somehow make you want to do better.
Tell us some of your recent accomplishments. What goals do you have for 2022!?
Lately, my biggest accomplishment has honestly just been showing up consistently. I’ve learned that progress is definitely not a straight line—some days you feel great, some days you question all your life choices in the middle of the workout.
My main goal is to keep showing up, keep improving little by little, and most importantly, keep enjoying the challenge (even when it’s humbling). And maybe one day I will finally get a BMU.
What does your frequently used emoji tab look like? (screen shot and send it!)
What is your favorite workout and if you could make up your own workout what would it be?
I really like Saturday partner WODs—especially when there’s a heavy barbell involved and the weight goes up. There’s something about sharing the suffering that makes it more fun… or at least more bearable.
What is your favorite dessert or “treat yourself” meal?
I like kettle cooked potato chips with hot sauce. It is a popular street snack from back home and a little way to stay connected with my roots/to not miss my family as much.
Favorite CrossFit Midtown moment (doesn’t have to be during a class, just any favorite moment at CFM)?
I first thought maxing out on Tuesday’s at 7pm. I noticed it has happened often on a Tuesday and most of these times Hailey was coaching or pushing everyone. Then, I thought most of the time CFM is my favorite moment of the day. The routine of showing up and seeing how we can support each other without doing more than showing up. It’s cool how someone can be inspiring someone else without even realizing it. And training with Alex (or the girls) definitely makes everything more fun and more rewarding. Having someone by your side through the workouts (and the suffering) makes a big difference.
Hobbies, Talents and or Interests Outside of CrossFit:
Outside the gym, I love spending time with friends and family, traveling, and hanging out with Rizzo, a bernedoodle girly that took all the sassiness for herself.
I also enjoy watching movies (especially the Oscar nominees) or TV shows, watching F1 races, and reading. I am also trying to learn a bit of astrology, but it does take time. All of it when I am not working, which, lately, has kept me pretty busy.
Advice for new CrossFitters:
Don’t overthink it; just show up, listen to the great coaches we have, and use sugar WOD (it really helps to measure and for accountability).
Be kind and patient with yourself, celebrate the small wins if it makes you feel better, and something people tell me often that I forget – don’t compare your chapter one to someone else’s chapter twenty.
