If it’s 6am at CrossFit Mudtown, you’ll probably find Julie there. She’s putting in a lot of hard work right now making her way to ‘100 Classes Stronger’. She only has 33 more to go! Let’s get to know Julie…

Member since: December 2015

How did you hear about CrossFit and what was your first experience/WOD? I heard about CrossFit from my high school friend, Jane Brooks. She joined a gym in Huntsville and raved about it and the results that she was seeing. After a lot of convincing I joined a 101 class at Iron Tribe Fitness in Homewood (I know the ITF name is blasphemous) about 4 months before my 30th Birthday. My first WOD was the baseline test that they do and I thought I was going to die.

How many days do you CrossFit? What classes do you normally attend? My goal is to go 4 days a week. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don’t. I’m a 6am girl.

Favorite CrossFit movement/workout? I like rowing and the movements in the press family (strict press, push press and jerks)

Least favorite CrossFit movement/workout? Does running count as a CrossFit movement? If so, I choose running. If not, I choose all movements that include squatting with a front rack.

What motivates you/keeps you coming back to CrossFit Mudtown? The people and my goal to reach 100 classes.

Favorite thing about Birmingham? My whole family lives here now, and I’m a huge family person.

What accomplishment are you the most proud of (outside and inside of the gym)? Inside of the gym, my greatest accomplishment is finishing the WOD. I always underestimate myself so I’m proud every time I finish the workout. Outside the gym, my greatest accomplishment is probably my career. I started at a big civil firm doing civil defense work in South Alabama. I knew it wasn’t for me, and that I wanted do something that I felt like made a difference. It was a huge decision to take a big pay cut and start a government job, but I trusted the Lord and did it. Five and a half years later and still no regrets.

What is your favorite meal? French Fries. Yes, I can make a meal out of them.

What are some of your interests outside of CrossFit? I love college football (Roll Tide), cooking, reading, playing with my dog Lola, good wine, cold beer, the beach in summer, the mountains in winter, and spending time with my niece and nephews.

What do you do for a living? I am a prosecutor for Jefferson County (Basically, I keep Birmingham safe… you’re welcome). It’s a tough job psychologically because I see the worst of the worst every single day. People can be really awful, and my job is to hold them accountable for their actions. It’s a tough balance, but I strive to do my job with grace and compassion

What is one goal that you are currently working on? I really want to get one single pull up.

Caleb started working out with us soon after our doors opened and has been a consistent member ever since. Always positive and encouraging Caleb is a fellow gym member people look up too (literally though, he’s

6’5″). As a former professional athlete, Caleb thrives on competition and the competitive side of CrossFit keeps him coming back. He gets the opportunity to push himself and have fun doing it.  All the hours he has put in has not gone unnoticed. Caleb recently completed is 200th class at CrossFit Mudtown! Let’s get to know him better…

Member since: May 2015

How did you hear about CrossFit and what was your first experience/WOD? I began to hear about it when the movie 300 came out but did not try it till sometime in 2012 it a guys garage. The first WOD I did was a partner one where one partner lunged 100 feet with a 25 pound plate while the other one did burpees in the grass till they returned for 5 rounds.

How many days do you CrossFit? What classes do you normally attend? I shoot for 4 days a week. Normally the 6am.

Favorite CrossFit movement/workout? Overhead squat

Least favorite CrossFit movement/workout? Burpee

What motivates you/keeps you coming back to CrossFit Mudtown? I like the competition with myself and energy that it gives.

Favorite thing about Birmingham? The restaurants

What accomplishment are you the most proud of (outside and inside of the gym)? Being a Dad.

What is your favorite meal? Any type of fresh fish cooked well.

What are some of your interests outside of CrossFit? Anything outdoors, hunting, fishing, dirt bikes, fourwheelers, coaching kids sports.

What do you do for a living? Run the Alabama Policy Institute. Have a business that does accounting and compliance work for political organizations. I also tinker with a few other ventures as well.

What is one goal that you are currently working on? 3X5 squats at 350.

Karen is a relatively new face at CrossFit Mudtown, but in the few months she’s been with us, she’s shown us an amazingly strong work ethic and drive to improve. Always smiling and welcoming, Karen embodies what the ‘CrossFit community’ is all about. Though in recent years she has been faced with medical obstacles, she has persevered to become stronger and healthier despite the adversity. Let’s get to know Karen!

Member since: 2/2016

How did you hear about CrossFit and what was your first experience/WOD? I started crossfit in 2014 through a few groupons. I’ve been to several boxes and landed at Crossfit 280 for 2 years. I moved to Mudtown because of the atmosphere, proximity, and sweet friends Patrick and Alisha Crossley! I remember feeling awesome the first time I lifted a weighted barbell over my head. Like, “Wow, I can really do this!”

How many days do you CrossFit? What classes do you normally attend? I can only attend 3 days a week and usually try to make it to Back squat Mondays! Thankful for open gym on Saturday as well, to make up a WOD if I can only make it twice in a week. My work schedule changes constantly so I come when I can!

Favorite CrossFit movement/workout? I used to hate wall balls. And now I actually really like them. My favorite WODs are chipper WODs. I love variation and checking off a list!

Least favorite CrossFit movement/workout? Front squats still make me feel like I’m dying.

What motivates you/keeps you coming back to CrossFit Mudtown? I love the family atmosphere. I don’t have kids, and I don’t family close by. Thankful for the relationships that are growing with friends and families at Mudtown!

Favorite thing about Birmingham? I love the spring and fall (I’m from central FL; Palm trees don’t change color 😉 I also love all the little towns and parks that have such different vibes. It’s a very small big city.

What accomplishment are you the most proud of (outside and inside of the gym)? I can only give the Lord credit for my professional accomplishment. I’m a Physician Assistant in Orthopedic Surgery at St. Vincent’s Orthopedics and I absolutely love my job. I’ve wanted to be a “doctor” since I was 7 and until 2 years after college, didn’t even know PA existed. It’s a pretty amazing story actually. Inside of the gym, it would have to be just showing up. I was diagnosed with MS in 2011 and it was the catalyst for starting CrossFit. I struggle with waves of fatigue and CrossFit is the only thing that helps, though I have to be patient with myself and realize my limits. But overall, I am in better shape than before my diagnosis! CrossFit has really changed by life.

What is your favorite meal? My dad’s steaks, homemade salads, and fresh steamed broccoli. He’s the best cook in the world 😉

What are some of your interests outside of CrossFit? I’m pretty active in my church (Brookhills) through choir, small groups, and serving around the city. I also love exploring the city, the food, and growing brewery culture.

What do you do for a living? see above!!

What is one goal that you are currently working on? My Olympic lifts/techniques and regaining my grip strength on the rig for pull-ups!

Nick gets it. He shows up, works hard, encourages others. Basically just helps make the gym community thrive. We’re so proud of how far he’s come, even before his time at CrossFit Mudtown. He set out on a journey three years ago to become a better version of himself. He started doing CrossFit, cleaned up his eating and decided to surround himself with people who encourage and believe in him. He lost 80 pounds. He lifts like a beast. And he’s got an amazing goal of rowing 1 million meters in 2016. Keep up the amazing work you do Nick!

Member since: June 2015

How did you hear about CrossFit and what was your first experience/WOD? In the spring of 2014 I was attending a HIIT class offered after work.  I started reading about it and stumbled across this CrossFit thing.  I dropped in to another gym in Birmingham on a Thursday afternoon and was hooked. I don’t remember the WOD, except it had pull-ups. I flailed away on a band and spent the weekend trying to extend my arms again.

How many days do you CrossFit? What classes do you normally attend? I try to get in the gym 5 days a week. Mostly 6 a.m. but I like to drop in to an afternoon every once in a while.

Favorite CrossFit movement/workout? Just about anything with a barbell. Even thrusters.

Least favorite CrossFit movement/workout? Toes to Bar.

What motivates you/keeps you coming back to CrossFit Mudtown? Quality. Coaching, community, programming. I believe in surrounding yourself with people who bring a positive energy to life.  I found it in spades here.

Favorite thing about Birmingham? It’s home. I was born and raised here.

What accomplishment are you the most proud of (outside and inside of the gym)? Three years ago Amanda and I jumped in to this thing called clean eating, which was the beginning of a radical change for our family’s health. Outside of the gym, I’m proud to say we eat clean, we talk about nutrition, and our kids are more educated about food than I was as an adult. That movement in health and nutrition opened my eyes to the possibility that I could still be active and fit, and ultimately brought me to the gym, where I’ve been able to lose close to 80 pounds, pull my chin over the bar, and pick up heavy things. Fast.

What is your favorite meal? Ribeye- medium rare.  Probably something green to go with it. And a chocolate chip cookie (or several).  You’ve got to live, right?!?

What are some of your interests outside of CrossFit? I love being a husband and father, so I try to spend as much free time as possible with Amanda and the kids.  So lazy days around the house, coaching kids soccer, and the occasional game of CandyLand in the living room floor make for a pretty cool weekend.

What do you do for a living? By degree I’m a Chemical Engineer. I manage an R&D function at Southern Company responsible for developing new ways to power the world.

What is one goal that you are currently working on? 500 lb deadlift is next up, but I can’t leave out the million-meter club.