Brittany (Betty) Duszak
November 2017
About The Athlete
Brittany (aka. Betty) started with CFC last winter in our March On-Ramp (Intro) Program to try something new and get out of the standard gym cycle. Since then, she has become a staple member in regular classes and continues to make exceptional progress in a number of strength components, skills and aerobic capacity.
The positive energy and enthusiasm she brings to class, combined with her coach-ability and willingness to challenge herself every day is a pleasure to coach and work along side. The past few weeks she has even been stringing together pull-ups, push-ups and double-unders at exponential rates, so keep up the great work and congrats!
A little more about them…
What got you into Crossfit, how long have you been doing it and what keeps you coming back?
I started in February 2016 so I’ve been a member of CFC for 10 months.
I started with encouragement from my boyfriend Micky and friend Larissa who have been long time members with endless things to say about the benefits of CrossFit. I was tired of making workouts up as I went along at a regular gym and thought I’d give it a shot.
Once I tried it I found that somehow it made working out fun, I sometimes couldn’t wait to get back the following week to see if I could get a PR. Also there is a feeling you get post WOD, maybe a surge of endorphins? Maybe a sense of accomplishment? What ever it is it makes me happy and that’s definitely what keeps me coming back.
What are some of your non-crossfit hobbies or activities?
I enjoy road or mountain biking (not to be confused with assault biking) for hours at a time. Hiking and taking in nature, I plan vacations around national parks and different landscapes. I spend a great amount of time with my niece and nephew crafting, tobogganing, swimming, reading, and other various types of play.
One sentence to describe CFC from your perspective…
A safe space with encouraging coaches and members where one can gain confidence and work on ones health!
What is your favorite part of CFC?
Love how there is no judgment, you can try new things and fail without feeling embarrassed.
Favorite and least favorite movement/workout, and why?
Wall Balls: Least favorite. They get me so gassed! I can just barley get the 10 lb ball to that darn blue line. 20 and I’m spent.
Double-Unders: My favorite workout (on days I can actually do them) I have been working on them for months, I feel as if only gods and goddesses are capable of stringing together > 20. Needless to say 10 DU’s and I feel like I’m some sort of Beyonce, Muhammid Ali, Ghandi mixed spawn.
Favorite superhero, band/musician or celebrity, and why?
Favorite band: Led Zepplin the greatest band of all time, Jimmy Page is a beast
Celebrity: Leonardo DiCaprio because of his acting but also because of his work as an environmental activist
Biggest/proudest/latest accomplishment or PR?
Proudest accomplishment is getting kipping pullups, although still working on stringing them together
What’s your take on our coaching team?
Each of the coaches has a background that brings something unique to the sessions
Taylor: Really really good at puzzles and rubix cubes, just OK at crossfit…. But actually, Taylor is an incredible athlete. His dedication and motivation to improve on himself mentally and physically everyday makes me want to be a better person.
Michelle: You have incredible coordination and make lifts appear effortless. You also have a nack for picking up on what each lift or movement is ****
Shane: I appreciate the time you take to ensure we are getting the movements right, working with us and giving us all the cues needed until we are able to get the lift.
Tyler: Lots of body mechanic knowledge. Heart of gold.
Steph: Incredibly knowledgeable in the different progressions needed to work on for reaching a goal. You’re energy always gets me in the mood for a workout.
Jenna: I went to one empowerment class and I was sore for a week!
Jason: We both have asthma and I can always count on you to let me use your inhaler in the middle of a metcon. Also love how you give us advice on how to approach a metcon that you’ve already done.
Do you have any goals set for the near future – in or outside of CFC?
In CFC – I’d like to get more ‘Rx’ metcons under my belt and am also excited to be apart of the next CrossFit open
Out of CFC – More adventures.
Give us a little known fact about yourself…
Coaches Comments
Betty has been a wonderful addition to the CFC team. She comes in early to warm up and usually get some extra time to work on things she wants to improve on, like pull-ups. She is a beast when it come to Metcons and regularly enjoys beating Micky in workouts lol. She listens to coaching cues and is able to turn those in to some positive results. She is becoming an all around awesome crossfiter. Keep up all the hard work because it is sure paying off.. – Coach Jason.
Me and Betty go way back.. Well, certainly seems that way at least. Skeptical and a little hesitant at first but has since found a home with the CFC community. She’s got great energy, drive and a willingness to learn that stands out in classes and open-gyms. Not only that but just try telling her she can’t do something… 15-minutes later she’s off in the corner hanging off the pull-up bars or rings, jumping on or off something semi-dangerous or just messing around with a barbell to prove you wrong; and often, with time and effort she does. It’s incredibly admirable and entertaining.She carries that same attitude and mentality into the strength/skill components but more so in the conditioning work. I have seen her eyes near the end of a metcon, she is in another world and damn you if you’re going to disturb her! But maybe One day we’ll take on a partner workout together and really see what she’s made of! #2018goalsOn-top of that she moves well, so getting to watch and coach someone who moves safely in that level of intensity and environment is again, incredible. Congrats Betty, don’t stop! – Coach Taylor
Betty is a pleasure to have in class! She beams with positivity and is so encouraging of other around her. She is very receptive to feedback and is always looking for ways to improve. Betty has become a very consistent member in the gym and she has the GAINZ to prove it. She has been working tirelessly on her double unders as well as her kipping pull-ups and they are coming along very nicely! I am so proud of all the progress she has made in the short time that she has been “cross-fitting” and am looking forward to seeing her reach her goals in the new year. Way to go girl!! – Coach Steph
Betty is an awesome addition to our box. Recently getting pullups, she’s a great example of someone who works hard and it shows in her progress. Betty’s extremely coachable and absorbs cues very well. Congrats Betty! – Coach Shane
Love seeing Betty around the gym. She’s a beast, mastering double unders and pull-ups recently! She’s even made a few appearances at 6am classes. She’s committed and brings happiness to class. I also want to help her become the “fastest man on earth” before 2017 is over. That way she can scratch it off her goals list! – Coach Michelle
Sincerely,
The CFC Coaching Team