Ines Subashka: Introduce yourself.
Lindsey Smith: My name is Lindsey Smith and I live in Austin, Tx. My husband, Web, and I are avid Crossfit athletes out of CrossFit Central. We also like to blog about our experience within the community (www.crossfitchron.com). I am a former collegiate athlete and began CrossFit shortly after having our daughter, Alexis. She is now 3 years old and the joy of our life. I work full-time as a physical education teacher at Trinity Episcopal School. I am also on the CrossFit Certification Staff and spend several weekends a year working Level1 Certifications.
IS: How long have you being doing crossfit?
LS: Just over two years. (Jan. 2009)
IS: Have you been involved in some other sports before that?
LS: Yes, I was a collegiate athlete at DePaul University where I played soccer, basketball, and track and field.
IS: How did people around you accept the fact that you are doing crossfit?Did they take a jaundiced view of it?
LS: For the most part, people really respect what I do. They understand that it is a great outlet for me and I have received a ton of support from my friends and family.
IS: Do you have a nutrition plan that you follow? If yes, do you meet disapproval from you friends?Or do they understand why you eat the way you do?
LS: I eat clean (paleo style – no grains, no dairy) about 80% of the time. The other 20% often includes coffee, candy, or something of the like. I eat well, but offer myself some flexibility as well. Yes, others often times have a hard time understanding why I am unwilling to eat “whole grains” and sometimes I am called a food snob, but its all in good humor. I think most people really respect the way my family and I eat.
IS: What does crossfit mean to you and did it change your life in some way?
LS: To me, CrossFit is all about making the most of every opportunity. I love the mental capacity and stamina it requires to finish a tough workout. I also pride myself in being part of an awesome community. From the grass roots level and beyond, CrossFit is filled with awesome and inspiring individuals.
IS: What is your favorite WOD and which one do you hate the most?
LS: My favorite WOD is probably Grace and my least favorite is anything that involves deadlifts.
IS: Is it hard for you to combine your daily tasks with workouts? And have you ever used the excuse that you are too busy to workout?
LS: As a full-time working mom and wife there are times that I feel bogged down by the routine of life, but when it comes down to it, getting my workout in is just as important to my day as is brushing my teeth. Your priorities are reflected by what you choose to do, or not to do, on a daily basis.
IS: What is your biggest accomplishment in crossfit so far?
LS: A few that come to mind are helping my affiliate qualify at Regionals last year to compete in the Games, finishing 5th at the 2009 CrossFit Games, 12th at the 2010 CrossFit Games and 18th at the Games in 2011.
IS: Do you remember some funny story with you and crossfit?
LS: I could not pick up a 135 lb. deadlift when I first started CrossFit, despite a 250 lb. back squat at the time. I remember my husband standing there and he just kept telling me, “Are you kidding? Just pick it up.” Nearly 200 lbs. later… I still hate the movement, but that memory does make me laugh.
IS: What advice would you give to the beginner crossfiters ?
LS: Simply take CrossFit one day at a time. Improvements come with dedication and commitment. Every CrossFit athlete, even the most competitive, had a time where muscle-ups seemed impossible, double-unders were completed one at a time, and Olympic lifting felt foreign. I never in a million years would have thought I would care to learn to walk on my hands at age 28 years, but that is also why I love this sport.
