Masheed earned this month's Member Spotlight due to her dedication and consistency to the gym lately, despite her incredibly busy schedule with two young boys and working with her husband on their construction business. Masheed always brings a positive attitude to the gym and her quirkyness always brings smiles to other members. Below she talks about how she got into CrossFit and her journey back to "The Box" after having her second child. My personal favorite Masheed moment, and testament to her dedication, was when she judged an entire CrossFit Competition with her then infant son (Frank) strapped to her body. Below is a picture to prove it .
You have been coming to CrossFit for sometime now and have been through quite a few HUGE life changes with two kids in the process. What got you started and what keeps you coming back?
No kidding about the Huge changes—gaining 50lbs during each pregnancy will definitely do that haha. I was 6 months post partum (I had just had Frank) and needed to find something other than yoga. Yoga was awesome for conditioning and becoming familiar with my post baby body, but wasn’t that awesome for losing baby weight. I was on Facebook one day and noticed the special that CFJI sometimes runs-1 month for $30, and thought why the hell not? I was actually terrified and messaged Rahha asking her if she liked it and what not. She met me there the next morning at the 9am class and I instantly fell in love with it all (despite being super nervous and shy). The positive environment, wonderful coaches, sense of community and family, and noticeable results are the reasons why I keep coming back. I was so disappointed in myself for not keeping up with it during my second pregnancy, that I decided I was going to get back into it the minute I got clearance from my doc.
How do you balance the time between running around with the kids, helping out with Rick's business and making it to the gym?
No clue; I wonder that myself sometimes. In all seriousness though, I am at the mercy of Rick’s work schedule and my mom; that’s why I show up at random times. If it weren’t for them, I’d never get in…and I desperately need to as often as possible because it’s the only “me” time I get.
You brought your sister-in-law (Mary) into the gym at one of our events and now she has been a member (and member spotlight), how awesome is it to workout with your family?
It’s awesome; I love it! I love having something in common with her that Rick isn’t a part of—like our own special club—definitely brings us closer. I also love doing WODS with her; she’s so positive and motivating and yet also competative!
What else do you enjoy doing on your free time when you are not at the gym?
I laughed at this question. I really don’t have any free time these days and when I do I’m at the gym….but I love spending time with Rick and the boys. We usually just spend our weekends with friends and family (we’re both from here and close to all of our family)-bonfires, dinners, shows, etc…Love going to the movies and trying new restaurants but haven’t done much of that the past 2 years
What do you like most about CFJI?
The people—awesome coaches and I’ve made so many wonderful new friends!
Favorite Lift?
Clean
Least favorite Lift?
Snatch
Least Favorite Gymnastic Movement?
“Handstand push-ups”-in quotes because I can’t really do them quite yet
Favorite girl workout?
Grace
Hero WOD?
Whittman
Least favorite?
Not sure, I haven’t done enough of them to really dislike any
Hometown?
Charleston
Favorite Charleston Restaurant?
Circa 1886—I worked there for 10 years-amazing food and service!
If there was a movie produced about your life, who would play you and why?
Julia Louis-Dreyfus—because she’s funny but with mad dork appeal (yes, I have a dorky side-hard to believe, I know) and she has curly hair
If you were a singer, what would the name of your debut album be named?
Ummmm..this one is hard….
Current state: delirious.
If you could sing one song on American Idol, what would it be?
What a wonderful world— Israel Kamakawiwo'ole’s version
Event in history past/present you would have liked to witness?
Woodstock
If you were on an island and could only bring three things, what would you bring?
Rick, Frank, and Ari
One thing about me people would be surprised to know?
I actually talk a lot and am usually pretty outgoing and loud—y’all have only seen the shy, quiet, and sleep deprived side of me