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We know how intimidating it can be to join a new gym. You don't know what to expect or who you are going to meet there. Perhaps you are worried that everybody is going to be an elite athlete and you'll have nothing in common with them. Well, at SVG we have athletes from all walks of life and all backgrounds. Here is a chance to learn a bit more about some of the members of our community.
Mick Winters
What inspired you to start your fitness journey and how has SVG been a part of that journey?
My fitness journey started around 2015 when I had to pick up my oldest daughter at a CrossFit gym in West Springfield. I had heard of this CrossFit thing but didn’t think too much about it. I was watching my daughter do her rounds and reps and was impressed. I thought “maybe my wife and I could try this”. We ended up doing an orientation, and my first thing to do was a 500 meter row for time. I finished the row and thought I was going to die. I got up, walked out the back door and deposited my lunch on the ground.
But somehow it didn’t discourage me. It actually encouraged me to keep trying to see what I was capable of, to see where my mental toughness was. I stuck with it until the doors closed and we wanted to continue and needed a new home. Enter Jay Paul. I met Jay through another now defunct gym that resided in Agawam. He made us aware that he was in on a new venture and I should come check it out when I had the chance. This, of course, was the beginning of CrossFit SVG. I would go and help paint walls, clean up pallets, do what I could to help. (can’t forget to mention meeting Andy for the first time!) Since that time, Jay and Andy have been like family. They have pushed my wife and I to stay on our fitness journey to this very day and SVG has become a staple in my life and I am grateful for the friends I have made through the years and the amazing guidance of the coaches helping me reach goals I never thought possible then and now.
Maura Starke
What inspired you to start your fitness journey and how has SVG been a part of that journey?
I had played sports in high school, went to college and dabbled in pilates classes and free weight training in a globo-gym, nothing serious just to keep my body moving. Once I got my first job out of college I fell off from making any kind of fitness a priority. The job was in an office and I was sitting with my department the majority of the days, downing 3 large lattes. I inevitably gained a lot of weight. At the same time a friend of mine was also experiencing something similar and we decided to become gym buddies and signed up for a gym in between both our jobs. Looking back we really had no idea what we were doing. We'd spend 45 minutes there on a cardio machine and call it a night. It was still movement, but I wasn't reaching any of my goals. Then another friend of ours, Elonia, asked if we wanted to try a CrossFit gym she had been attending, a free partner workout on a Sunday. I was definitely having major anxiety about it. I mentioned it to Rick and he was supportive, while silently hoping I wouldn't come home in tears. We showed up, I remember specifically that the workout happened to have a farmer's carry. I went home and told Rick he had to come with me next time I enjoyed it so much. We joined and I have done so many things I never thought I would: rope climbs, box jumps, a body weight clean and jerk. I've reached a lot of personal goals both training and body composition wise and I wouldn't have been able to do any of those things without SVG's coaches and community.
What is your favorite workout?
Honestly, I really enjoy any Crossfit workout that has a heavy-ish barbell or dumbbell. Thrilled about a heavy DBall over the shoulder or carry, literally THRILLED (100% not sarcasm here). Nancy, Grace, Grettel, I could go on and on. If I don't have to hop on the rig I'm a happy camper.
Which leads me one of my biggest challenges: most gymnastic movements. I used to dread seeing a high volume pull-up focused WOD and would think hard about strategically taking a "rest day". With the help of several SVG coaches I've definitely made progress on pull-ups, hand stand pushups and toes to bar, but I have to actively think about the movements before I do them and I get very frustrated with myself. When I get frustrated with myself I definitely start to spiral and can't really pull myself out of that negative self talk and the movement goes down hill with my mental state. Working on it.
Danalynn Hayes
I did not have a traditional journey into fitness. I danced competitively for a decade of my life, but never considered myself an athlete. In my 20’s, I felt obliged to continue to exercise for my health, so I ran begrudgingly in road races but never felt joy while doing it. When I turned 30, I started resistance training and became a fan of CrossFit. I loved watching the games and CrossFit documentaries. I fell in love with barbell and kettlebell training but was afraid to try CrossFit myself. After I had my daughter in 2020, I felt I had nothing to lose, and I started training at SVG. I was 6 months post-partum and felt incredibly blue and out of shape. After my first class at SVG, I was hooked! I can honestly say that the community pulled me out of a difficult season in my life, for which I will always be grateful.
It’s important not to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others on your fitness journey. I must remind myself of this all the time. Also, the small things count. 10 minutes of extra practice on a skill a couple times a week, a half hour extra of sleep, an extra glass of water. All these things add up and contribute to your progress! Lastly, at SVG, I’ve met some of the kindest and most badass people, so do yourself a favor and talk to people and make friends. They end up making class a lot more enjoyable and then you’ll want to come back all the time to see their beautiful faces.
The coaches at SVG see your potential before you see it yourself. Without the push from some of my coaches, I don’t think I could have accomplished as much as I have in the last 3 years. Other members also inspire me to push myself beyond what I think I can do. There are many inspirational athletes and coaches at SVG and I admire them. It’s great to see what is possible when you put the work into fitness!
Jona Steenbrink
What inspired you to start your fitness journey, and how has SVG been a part of that journey?
I have always been pretty active and played soccer and rugby in school, and soccer and crew in college, before I dropped out and worked as a bike messenger for ten years. Anything to keep moving really. Actually, now that I come to think of it…maybe I’m not active, perhaps I’m just restless! Whatever the reasons, I found CrossFit late, at 45, and immediately fell in love with it because it was really hard. There were dozens and dozens of things I was bad at, but all of them could be scaled and learned and improved on which kept me coming back.
Perhaps even more than fitness, CrossFit surprised me by being a really incredible community of people, and there’s no better example I can think of than SVG. I started here a little over a year ago (if I remember correctly) and almost instantly felt like I belonged — like I had been here forever.
How has the support from the community and coaches at SVG contributed to your progress and success?
Wow. This is such an interesting question because really there are two ways to answer it. On the one hand, the obvious answer is that the supportive, strong, and motivated community of athletes and the thoughtful and competent coaches have helped me to grow and develop as an athlete, to get fitter and stronger and functionally more adept.
But for me, the much more important way in which SVG has impacted my life is through the people who are there. The people at SVG (and to be fair, at the CrossFit gyms I was at before) have made me feel valued, strong and competent in ways that not much else in my life has. The connections we make, the feeling of support is like nothing else. It isn’t always an obvious thing, sometimes it’s just as simple as seeing other people struggle and sweat and succeed. But other times people talk through their shit in class and allow you to talk through yours. Maybe while you’re warming up, or in little breaks between sets or whatever it is. It can be an offer of help, or a piece of advice, just listening, a joke that breaks the tension, or a group hug that makes you feel heard and valued and loved. Maybe it’s corny, and maybe it’s an overstatement, but SVG has allowed me to make important changes in my life that I otherwise wouldn’t have made. Which is much more important than someday learning to walk on my hands!
Katie White
What inspired you to start your fitness journey, and how has SVG been a part of that journey?
I first got inspired to start my fitness journey when I was in my early twenties. I wasn't raised with sports or athletics, and fitness wasn't really something my family valued. However, I started to see the toll not being fit had on aging relatives as a cautionary tale. I read a lot and sought advice from "older" people about what habits to start as a young adult to set myself up for long term success. Fitness was always toward the top of that list. I dabbled in conventional gyms, running, hiking, and took yoga classes once or twice a week, but it wasn't until I set foot in SVG on opening day that I found something I could stick with. The two c's (community and convenience) keep me coming back. Convenience because it's close by and I don't have to think too hard - I just show up and do the work and am done! And the community speaks for itself - knowing people are going to support and encourage me and having them reach out when they haven't seen me in awhile helps me stay accountable, and motivates me to want to show up - if not for myself, for my friends.
Can you share a specific achievement or milestone you've reached through your training here that you're particularly proud of?
The one that sticks with me the most is when I got my first strict pull-up. Upper body strength is my biggest weakness and has been the slowest thing to progress for me. I genuinely thought I would never be able to do one. But after finally building my training base and committing to working on them, I finally got one! I'll always remember how proud I was in that moment, and sometimes when I'm feeling uncertain of my strength I do one just to remind myself how far I've come.
Balancing Life and Fitness, Overall Wellness and Training Regimen:
Balance is essential to me in so many aspects of life and fitness is no exception. I have a lot of other hobbies and commitments - everything from more sports (which I discovered as an adult that I love!), to trivia teams, two book clubs, and civic/political committees. I have a demanding job, am a stepmom, and also care for aging parents as an only child. It's a lot to balance but I've come to realize that if everything is a priority, nothing is a priority. As much as I'd love to excel at my workouts, fitness is just one of the many things that's important to me, so I have to set goals that are realistic for me and my lifestyle. I aim for three moderate-to-hard effort workouts a week and enjoy more leisurely athletics (pickleball, anyone?) a couple times a week on top of that. I also make it a priority to walk every day, whether I'm in the woods with my dog or plodding along on my walking pad while I work. I'm also lucky to have a supportive spouse whose goals and values align with mine, so we help hold each other accountable. But the main thing that keeps me on track is giving myself grace and not throwing in the towel when invariably life happens and one of my priorities has to take precedence over my fitness goals. At the end of the day, slow progress is still progress!
Advice for Newcomers:
Go at your own pace, and be sure to get plenty of rest and recovery, especially at the beginning. Progress looks different for everyone and comparison is the thief of joy - focus first on those things that are most important to you and on what you can reasonably accomplish based on your values and priorities. The rest will fall into place. And most importantly, enjoy the process!
Jamie Assaf
What inspired you to start your fitness journey, and how has SVG been a part of that journey?
Trying to be healthier and lose weight was always an inspiration for my journey to fitness. I’ve always tried lifting weights and running in the past but when I came to SVG I was hooked instantly. The best workouts I’ve ever been a part of and now that kinda makes the journey easier
Can you share a specific achievement or milestone you've reached through your training here that you're particularly proud of?
The one that sticks with me the most is when I got my first strict pull-up. Upper body strength is my biggest weakness and has been the slowest thing to progress for me. I genuinely thought I would never be able to do one. But after finally building my training base and committing to working on them, I finally got one! I'll always remember how proud I was in that moment, and sometimes when I'm feeling uncertain of my strength I do one just to remind myself how far I've come.
Community and Support:
The SVG athletes are great and that makes it easy to get in there and learn or try and perfect barbell movements and any other skills. The coaches are awesome and always help me get the most out of the WODS at SVG and I love it here!
Advice for Newcomers:
My advice to someone new to SVG would be not to worry about anything like not being able to do certain things or doing things incorrectly because the people there are awesome. The coaches are great and will always help you and steer you in the right direction. Just show up and you’ll find out for yourself.
Nutrition and Wellness:
Since I rejoined SVG last January I’ve made some major changes to my eating habits. I cut out all snacks and even some daily meals. I’ve been trying to eat only real foods like fruits and vegetables and also swapping out meat for more fish. I’ve noticed a tremendous difference in my overall health!
Jess Pronovost
My fitness journey started a little later in life. Sometime around 2006 - 2007 a friend talked me into picking up running and challenged me to run St Patty's with her. I was never athletic, did not play any organized sports in school and with the exception of skiing, was never really into any form of exercise. I was in my 30's by the time I jumped on the bandwagon. I was “bit by the bug” so to speak, and within 2 years, had not only discovered my love of running, I completed a 5k, 10k, triathlon and my first of many century rides. I also started training to be a kettlebell instructor. By 2012, I was a level 1 SFG Certified KB instructor as well as a Spin instructor and never looked back.
With COVID, the gym where I had been training and coaching closed, and I spent a year just doing my own thing which was pretty much riding my bike, as well as running, walking and hiking miles upon miles with my two dogs. Last year, my friend Cathy suggested I come try out a class at SVG. I was terrified. I had a pretty big preconceived notion of what I thought CrossFit was, and didn't want anything to do with it. Boy was I wrong. I came to one class and that was that. I signed on the dotted line the next day. As I approach my first year, I couldn't be happier with my choice to join the gym.
I have 2 specific "achievements" or "milestones".
One is box jumps. Jumping isn't my thing. I honestly can say that coach Angela tricked me into success with this one and it was needed. I didn't have the guts to try jumping onto that damn box! She started me out on plates. She would routinely add plates when I wasn't looking until one day she had to point out that I was already doing box jumps, onto a smaller target no less! I, for real, felt like Wonder Woman the first time I jumped up onto that box haha!
My second is ALL things barbell related. Barbell stuff is still new to me. I do a lot of overthinking, a lot of second guessing, and a REAL lot of "Holy crap, I just did that!" I am only 5lbs away from my push press goal of 100 lbs. I know for some that is not a lot of weight but to me it sure is! A year ago that was a totally insurmountable number and when I hit 95 lbs (again with the encouragement of Coach Angela and all the other amazing people I work out with daily) I think I cried a little bit.
The biggest challenge I have faced in my fitness journey has probably been my shoulder injury. I was involved in a pretty bad bicycle crash in 2017, and it resulted in surgery and pins in my shoulder. I spent A LOT of years afterwards being scared of messing it up and started neglecting my strength training. I feel like with the wonderful community at SVG as well as with the assistance of top notch coaches, I regained my confidence and am comfortable in challenging myself again.
A typical week sees me at SVG at least 4 mornings a week. I love starting off my day with this crew and we all keep each other accountable. Most afternoons you will see me out and about in Granby with my two dogs who need their daily exercise of 3-5 miles a day regardless of what I did that morning at the gym. Sometimes we run, sometimes we walk and sometimes we hike! Depends on how much I have left in the tank truthfully!
Scott Taylor
Journey to Fitness: What inspired you to start your fitness journey, and how has SVG been a part of that journey?
I have always been involved in athletics. Ever since I was young, I played every sport I could. I am an overly competitive person, (just ask my family) so playing sports helps with that aspect of my personality. I enjoy being active, but time and age have started to slow my participation in organized activities. Coaching filled that void, however my own fitness suffered. When I hit a new PR on the scale (not in a good way) I knew it was time to do something or risk becoming very comfortable in a sedentary lifestyle. Teaching will do that to you. I have always been interested in Crossfit as an outside observer, I’ve watched all the Fittest on Earth episodes, so I knew it was now or never. Andrea Marion, a co-worker, told me about SVG and how awesome it was / is, so it was now or never. I can safely say the last 11 months have been the most physically active I have been in many many years, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. SVG has provided me with a place to fill my physical needs, but what I never expected was to meet so many wonderful people who would become a support system, accountability managers, and most importantly close friends.
Community and Support: How has the support from the community and coaches at SVG contributed to your progress and success?
The support from everyone involved at SVG is unmatched. The coaches make it easy to show up day after day. I know I’m going to get a great workout in, while getting coached and supported in all areas of my progress in CrossFit. As I am now closer to 60 than I am to 50, there are days that my body doesn’t feel like it can do it. However, I know all I need to do is show up, and there are friends / coaches who can help me get through whatever workout the coaches have come up with to push me past what I think is possible. Leonard and Noelle make it easy to be accountable, as we are always checking on each other to see when we are going that day. I knew I had found somewhere special in April. After only three months I decided to enter the Festivus games to challenge myself. It was over an hour away, I was going by myself into something I had no idea what I was doing, but wanted to compete so I thought I would give it a try. Little did I know that my coach (Kirsten), Noelle, Pedro, and Leigh, would drive all that way on a Saturday to come support me. I cannot thank them enough for their support that day. It was so special to have your own support system behind you, and made the workouts so much easier to get through. Kirsten even fought for me after the comp, (I tied for second in my group, but did not make the “podium”, tiebreakers are dumb! haha) Another example of support happened just the other day. I was in a workout and wasn’t feeling my best, but Mick was sitting waiting for the next class, and even though he never said a word aloud, I could hear his voice in my head encouraging me to push and keep going. When your coaches and friends can encourage you without even saying a word, that speaks volumes as to the community Kirsten, Andy, and Jay have created at SVG. One I am so excited to be a part of. Where else will a group of people show up to run 3+ miles in the rain, crawl through the mud, and climb over obstacles together, while laughing and creating memories for over two hours. It’s the support that everyone gives to each other that makes it so easy to continue my progress and continue to achieve levels of fitness I haven’t reached in many many years.
Personal Achievements: Can you share a specific achievement or milestone you've reached through your training here that you're particularly proud of? Future Aspirations: Where do you see your fitness journey taking you in the next few years?
There are so many physical achievements I have reached over the past eleven months that SVG and its community are the sole reason why. I competed in the Festivus Games in April, completed two Spartan races, dropped 27 pounds, can do kipping pull-ups, bench pressed 210 pounds (first time ever over 200) the list goes on. All of these achievements make me proud of where I have gotten to so far, it makes me excited to think what this next year will bring. My future aspirations include doing Crossfit for as long as I can. I’d like to enter more team competitions. (If anyone is interested let me know) I am in the VDM with my gym bro Leonard. My ultimate goal is to stay as fit as possible for as long as possible for retirement. I have three years left of teaching (34 total years) or 1,407 days, but hey who’s counting. I’d like to be around for my family as long as possible. I look forward to spending my days walking on a beach with my wife looking for seashells and coaching football, and of course working out at SVG with my Crossift family. Thank you all for welcoming me and helping me to become the best version of myself.
Aimee Racicot
What inspired you to start your fitness journey, and how has SVG been a part of that journey?
I was inspired to take my health and wellness more seriously the moment my son was born. I didn’t want to be the mom on the sidelines. I wanted to be running alongside him and I wanted to feel good doing it. For as long as I can remember I have struggled with weight. I also smoked and ate a very unhealthy diet for many years. Fitness was at most a smoke break that might include a short walk.
After my son was born, I decided to start running. I went to the Mount Holyoke College track and very slowly ran the long side and walked the short side three times around. Eventually I could run one entire loop, and gradually moved off the track. I ran my first 5K in 2009. Crossing that finish line set me off on a 10-year fitness journey that included countless half marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks, 10 full marathons and one 50K. What started out as a way to get healthy and be an active mom turned into an entire lifestyle shift. I changed my diet, lost 75 pounds, and became an avid outdoors person.
I ran my last marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon, in 2019, then COVID hit and my life changed completely. I stopped running altogether during that time. As the world emerged out of COVID, I found myself newly divorced, out of shape and emotionally drained. I discovered the skis I bought when my son was 3. I had never used them. I learned how to ski and found it to be an amazing emotional release. Nothing like flying somewhat uncontrollably down a mountain with tears streaming down your face. It was exhilarating, terrifying and freeing all at the same time. I ended my first ski season on a black diamond at Mount Snow.
I felt a little lost after skiing all winter but I wasn’t quite ready to run again. Two friends and SVG members were strongly and frequently encouraging me to give CrossFit a try. In June 2023, I joined SVG and have since experienced very positive changes in my fitness level, my body and my life overall. I primarily attend the 5am class with Andy. Andy doesn’t just coach, he takes an interest in your ability and pushes you out of your comfort zone in the most supportive way because he knows what you’re capable of doing (even when I disagree!). CrossFit has given me the strength and confidence to run again. I just completed my first race since 2019, the River Run 10K. CrossFit has helped me to feel better about myself physically and emotionally. It's changed my perspective on what I am able to accomplish. It's also helped me to get out of my comfort zone in other areas of my life. A huge thank you to the coaches and members of the SVG community.
What is your favorite memory or experience since joining SVG?
My favorite CrossFit Memory is when I jumped on the box for the first time. I was introduced to the box by Kirsten during a foundations class. I instantly had a rather irrational fear about the box that I couldn't quite understand. I felt paralyzed every time I bent my legs in preparation to jump on the box. I could jump up on plates stacked nearly as high as the box. Why were circles different from the square, I asked? I'm still not sure. Andy would not let me give up. He encouraged me to use the plates during a workout but only after I gave the box a try. One day as I stood in front of the box trying to overcome my fear and anxiously thinking about jumping on it, Andy stood on the other side stretching out his arms towards me. He told me to jump holding his hands. I jumped but not high enough to land on the box. He told me to do it again, and again, and again until I propelled my legs high enough and finally landed on top of the box. Over and over, we did that until he let my hands go and I did it on my own. It's interesting how a seemingly insignificant activity like jumping on a box can mean much more...for me it was personal growth, internal strength, mental fortitude, and a willingness to let go of some limiting beliefs that were holding me back.
Haider Abdulridha
Journey to Fitness: What inspired you to start your fitness journey, and how has SVG been a part of that journey?
Since I started CrossFit, I’ve come to see it as my gateway to true fitness and personal transformation. After my previous gym closed, I embarked on a search for a new place to train, and that’s when I discovered SVG, just after it opened. The moment I stepped inside, I was embraced by a vibrant energy and a supportive atmosphere that felt like home. The spacious gym, dedicated trainers, and an incredible community have all played a vital role in my journey. After a long day at work or during an invigorating weekend workout, the encouragement I receive from fellow members fuels my motivation like nothing else. I’ve found that I’m constantly smiling and genuinely enjoying every moment of my workouts whenever I catch myself in a random video or story posted on SVG’s social media, turning what once felt like a chore into a celebration of strength and camaraderie.
Motivation and Goals: What keeps you motivated in your fitness journey, and do you have any specific goals for the upcoming year?
As I approach my 40th birthday in 2025, I've embarked on a transformative journey toward my best health and fitness, redefining what achievement truly means. While I once focused solely on breaking PRs that I’ve recorded in my 30s, I've realized that true fulfillment lies in the connection between my physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. I'm embracing a holistic approach that celebrates joy in everyday moments, whether through mindfulness practices, diverse workouts that inspire me, or nurturing connections within the SVG community. I’m inspired to thrive in every sense as I step into my 40s—a journey toward lasting happiness and wellbeing.
Future Aspirations: Where do you see your fitness journey taking you in the next few years?
My long-term goal for the next few years is to maintain a sustainable training routine that supports my active lifestyle, mental and psychological health. I came across CrossFit when I randomly watched a video of an athlete performing “the Seven” WOD on YouTube, I kept waiting for him to take a break, but he just kept going and going throughout the movements. From that time, I knew that this is the sport that I wanted to do for the rest of my life, going through the journey and meeting different athletes of all levels made me realize that the gym is one of the very few places in life that is fair and just, it doesn’t discriminate between athletes based on age, gender, race, orientation, wealth, physical and genetic traits, the effort you put in is guaranteed to give you a return on your investment, no one can stand in your way to your goals or stop you from taking the journey. I consider this as my greatest motivation and reason to continue my journey and focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle for as long as I’m able.
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