Name:  Melanie Hatfield     Age:     48           From: Kalamazoo

How long have you been with CrossFit Torrent and what made you decide to start? 

I started at Torrent in February of 2019. Dew talked me into it, I was super nervous, it seemed impossible and it was extremely daunting. 

What do you do when you’re not at CFT? 

Work full time at Whirlpool, mountain bike (we try, hope to get more time in this summer), walk the doggo, and continue to buy unnecessary things for the puppy we are getting in July.

 

When did you realize that CrossFit is right for you? 

It took a hot minute. It was unlike anything I had tried before and it was hard. After I had been at awhile and Dew kept talking (and talking and talking) to me about Greg Glassman, CrossFit and the foundation of the workouts and diet it all started making sense (it still sounded like a weird cult, but it made sense … so I guess I was drinking the Kool-Aid!). Still hard, but logically I knew it was the best I would find for not only my body, my head. 

 

What were your thoughts after your first WOD?

I was quite confident I may actually die. And I hated the assault bike. Not like in an “I don’t really like my neighbor with the dog that barks all the time” way, but in a “you said what to my son?” kind of way. That disdain still remains to this day. 

 

What is your favorite or least favorite WOD/movement?

I think that’s already overwhelmingly clear. This will be true forever and always.

 

What is the one thing you have done at CFT that you never thought you would do?

Lift weight over my head. I thought barbells were for badasses and gym rats, not 48-year-old women. I still can’t lift a ton but there is something very empowering about being able to lift at all. One day I won’t look like I’m horribly constipated when I lift … one day. #goals

 

What motivates you during a tough workout? 

The fight to finish. I don’t want to quit. I also heard something in a CrossFit movie that stuck with me “I can do anything for x minutes.”. I also try to remember that I’m lucky that I have the ability to do this at all. Between those things and swearing and grunting a lot I get through. 

 

What’s your favorite thing about CrossFit?

The fact that I feel stronger mentally as well as physically. It seems like every workout is an accomplishment, even if it’s with subs, there was some piece of it that I did better or simply did. I’ve actually found a lot of motivation in the online Fusion community since the apocalypse started and everyone is so nice and friendly, there’s no judgment of abilities or capabilities, only positives, and support. 

 

What are your short term and long term goals? 

Short term, keep at my 5-6 days working out. Long term, well, I would love to be able to actually do a pull-up… any kind of pull up … someday, but overall I want to continue on the path of health, strength, and wellness. I want to continue to drop weight and gain muscle and find better ways (that we can adhere to) to eat right. 

 
How have you seen yourself change- mentally and physically since joining Torrent? What impact has CFT had on you in and out of the gym?

I have the mentality that if I can do CrossFit I can do anything. It’s mind over matter. The mental game of the workouts is sometimes harder than the actual workout. It doesn’t mean that I’m magically a superhero, it’s just made my perspective shift. 

 

Do you have any advice for people just getting started at CFT?

Just try it. Try it for longer than a month. Give it a real chance, if you put the work in you will be amazed how different you feel. It’s not a magic pill, you don’t drop pounds overnight, it’s a lifestyle change, it’s a mantra, it’s how you can be a better you. (OMG it is a cult j/k)

Quick Questions

Favorite Cheat Meal: Burger, Beer … Repeat the beer

Favorite Musician/Band: I refuse to answer this on the grounds it will incriminate me.

Favorite Sports Team: Sports ball? Huh? Ummm … Cubs? Yeah, sure I like Chicago

Favorite Tv Show/ Movie:  Anything on Food Network and anything in the Horror genre and apparently now, CrossFit docs.

Favorite CrossFit Athlete: The big beefy one? No, not the guy, the girl … someone’s daughter. I’m terrible at names.

 

Coaches comments:

“The Athlete to Coach dynamic is always a blast with Melanie. It could be a word, or no words, it could be a smile, or a stare, it doesn’t matter because you know she gets it and she always wants to give it her best. Having a dynamic like that can be hard without trust and having immense trust in the athlete is a really empowering moment.”

“I remember chatting with Melanie in our initial meeting which seems like ages ago! She had so many valid questions and I got to really dive in and share the gospel according to Glassman. After that meeting, she was willing to give it a shot and I also got to torture, I mean lead, her through her first few one on one sessions. I will never forget after one of the elements sessions I said “Let’s hop on the bike for a quick cool down and we will chat for a bit.” Oh boy if looks could kill. I really enjoy having Melanie and her sarcastic sense of humor in class! Over the time of quarantine, she has been absolutely KICKING BUTT. Thanks for being such an active, supportive, and entertaining member of the Torrent and Fusion Family. I can’t wait to get back to the gym to see those killer looks in person. 🙂 “