It is time to announce the Athlete of the Month for November 2019. This month’s athlete should be a stranger to no one. She joined IA because she wanted to start working out, but had no real exercise experience and wasn’t sure how much she’s like it. However, she’s turned into a huge CrossFit Fan-girl. She’s been participating in our internal competitions now for about a year. She, her husband, and her sister-in-law attend almost every social event. She even pitched and organized the recent 800g Challenge. The Industrial Athletics Athlete of the Month for November 2019 is:
EMMA HUSTON
1. Where are you from originally?
I’m originally from Kettering: a small town in the very middle of England.
2. If not from Pittsburgh, what brought you to Pittsburgh?
A group of friends I’d made on an extended vacation to Brooklyn were moving to Braddock, and I thought it sounded like fun to join them.
3. Where do you work?
I’m a Service Center Quality Manager. Right now, I’m in the process of transitioning the CSR on-boarding over to the new training team, and am starting to build a Quality Assurance team for all of our locations.
4. What is your favorite hobby?
Aside from CrossFit, I also enjoy gardening (despite not having green fingers).
5. How did you discover CrossFit?
My husband (Jason) started doing CrossFit at the Pittsburgh Fire Academy and would. not. shut. up about it.
6. When did you start CrossFit?
I first started CrossFit at Industrial Athletics, with Fundamentals starting in May 2018.
7. Why did you start CrossFit?
I’ve always despised exercise, and avoided it my whole life. I started going to a globo gym in December 2017 because I wanted to tone up after having lost a little weight, and although I was really enjoying the endorphin rush after working out, I was feeling really uninspired and knew I had poor form. Jason had been getting really into CrossFit and introduced me to Ben Bergeron’s book ‘Chasing Excellence’, and we watched ‘The Redeemed and the Dominant’. I was amazed at what the women could do, and I really loved the mindset aspect, so I decided I wanted in and have been hooked ever since.
8. What is your favorite thing to do in CrossFit?
Cardio and bodyweight movements. But speaking more generally, my favorite thing is when I’ve been working really hard to try and figure something out, and then it finally clicks. I think my proudest moment yet is when I first managed to jump onto a 20” box – I’d been terrified of it until I got there.
9. What is your least favorite thing to do in CrossFit?
CrossFit has helped me to see things I’m not (yet) good at as opportunities to learn. When I first started exercising 2 years ago, I couldn’t run more than 2 blocks without being mad and giving up because I was out of breath. Since then, I’ve run a Ragnar relay, and rowed a half marathon. But if I really had to pick something, I guess I’d go with wall balls.
10. What is the number 1 thing you want to get better at?
All the things! I’ve spent a lot of time working on endurance/cardio/gymnastics, so for Autumn/Winter I want to focus on improving anything involving a barbell.
11. What is your favorite part about coming to CrossFit at Industrial Athletics?
Of course the community and coaches are huge, but I love that we focus on pushing each other forward at our own pace. When you see someone have a breakthrough moment on something they’ve been putting a lot of effort into, it feels really good to share those high fives. And then it’s onto the next thing!
12. What is your favorite CrossFit WOD?
Paul 4179. I love high cardio workouts with quick/varied rep schemes.
