The Smokin' Hot Wife

Meet Tina. I first started training Tina in March of 2008 at my first trial bootcamp. When I started at Tillman's, Tina made the CrossFit transition with me. She went from stability balls and target training to the lean and mean workout of the day. Like anyone new to the CrossFit Program, Tina researched the website, watched the videos, and probably wanted to crawl back under the covers at 5am on her first day. After just one month of CrossFit, The Zone Diet, and Advocare Tina lost an inch off her waistline and trimmed her entire body. Little did she know how much this would change more than just her body.

Tina is the mother of 2 and a very devoted wife. I asked her to answer a few questions for me so I could feature her on my blog. She took that and ran! Here are her thoughts....


After becoming a mother and pouring my heart and soul into my family, I found that I had nothing left for myself. CrossFit began as something I could do for ME. I simply wanted to lose weight and love the woman I saw in the mirror again. I found, however, that CrossFit could benefit me as well as my family in more ways than I'd ever imagined. It became the most powerful tool I have for reclaiming the mentally and physically strong woman I'd lost.

In the beginning, CrossFit workouts seemed so daunting that I didn't believe I could get through one. I now understand that practically anyone can do this. The workouts still seem intimidating, but I know that I can do it. All I have to do is push on and reap the benefits.

After just a few workouts my energy soared and now, I'm hooked for life. I love the atmosphere of working out with other individuals who are serious about their workout. I'm leading by example in my effort to raise healthy, active children, I'm putting on muscle to prevent the osteoporosis that runs so prevalently among the women in my family and I can, not only keep up with a three and five year old all day, but I still have something left for my husband when the day is done. The results have been tremendous in every aspect of my life. I am truly happy with me and that directly effects my family and friends.

With having my tailbone broken twice, the need for physical therapy on both hips and surgery on my wrist, I had a ton of excuses for my once sedentary life and weak, overweight body. NO MORE EXCUSES!!! A good CrossFit butt kick'n is the very best medicine for practically any ailment. Aches and pains associated with previous injuries are just a memory and with continued hard work I expect EVERYTHING to keep getting even better. I am so thankful, Nikki, to have you as my guide as I strive to transform my life. I've learned so very much from you. Now, I am well on my way to becoming a "Super Mom" and a smok'n hot wife.

I wanted to know about Tina's favorite workout….

A core workout is my favorite because a strong core makes such a huge difference, not only in other exercises but also in just moving about through your everyday life. Besides, who doesn't want to have a sexy stomach!?! The exercise that I've had the most fun with would have to be handstand push-ups using the rubber bands. I may look a little crazy, upside down and suspended by rubber bands, but who cares when you're having that much fun.

And here was the result of Tina writing her own feature story...

This was quite helpful. Answering these questions helped me to remember why I got started in the first place instead of dwelling on the short term goals I'm struggling to reach. I forget sometimes to step back and look at the big picture.

Tina, I’m so proud to be your trainer. Your motivation and drive are contagious. You are a SUPER MOM!

Halloween 2007----Halloween 2008

Why Do Superheroes Wear Spandex?

I've been burning my candle at both ends for a few months now. I'm not even sure I know what free time is anymore. I'm in the office 8am to 5pm and at the gym every hour around that time, training myself or clients. I do manage to devote 5:30pm-8:30pm to Logan, but it’s a rush to get myself to bed on time. Sleep is supposed to be my number one priority (Doctor’s orders). My brain doesn’t function well without it. I get over emotional and my body doesn’t recover well from my training. I have to be asleep by 9:30pm because I know that alarm clock is going to sound off like a fog horn at 4:45am the next morning. I run a tight shift! By 5am every morning I am up and at 'em. I probably get more done by 9am than a lot of people do in a week.

For the record, I don't envy people with too much time on their hands. I love this life and I'm not going to slow down until I achieve what I'm working for! You gotta keep your eye on the prize! It’s the hard work you put in that makes a job worth it. Yes, I’m tired, yes I’m pulled in too many directions and sometimes I do crack, but that’s what makes me human. It’s the fact that I push myself beyond my limits that makes me SUPERHUMAN.

Now let me tie this into CrossFit training. CrossFit is real world training, or as the One World shirt says, “Training not to suck at life.” CrossFit is, by design, going to make you better at whatever it is you do! Marathon runner’s who CrossFit finish faster, Olympic weightlifters go heavier, Golfers are improving their swing, Fire Fighters are stronger and faster when every second counts, and even the average Housewives are managing their homes with more perfection and stamina than ever before. This next part should hit close to home for anyone that has fought their way through a CrossFit WOD (work out of the day.)

The following is my personal training experience. Please note that the level and intensity can vary for everyone.

The WOD is on the board and I read through it before I even start the warm up. There is a major anticipation to know the WOD as soon as possible. The reason for this “need to know what’s about to kick me flat on my butt” cannot be explained, but you guys know exactly what I’m talking about! It’s all listed out and to the unknowing might look like a foreign language or even children’s chicken scratch, but I know exactly what it means and instantly I get pre WOD nerves. I once heard, “If you don't get nervous before you train, you don't train hard enough.” I must be doing something right! I have to tell myself every time, “I will get through this. This is just 20 min of the rest of my life. I am capable of a kick ass work out!” After the warm up I set up what I need for my WOD then I hear, “3…2…1…GO!” and the clock is ticking. I go through the motions and very quickly my lungs scream for oxygen. I start to wonder how I could already be struggling to breathe after only 5 reps. I’m only on the first round! I think of how much further I still have to go and wonder if my body will make it at this rate. Then, I remind myself that the first 3 min are the hardest. I cannot drag myself down with an “OH CRAP!” attitude. Suddenly I start to pick up speed. Somewhere in the middle of the WOD I can tell I’m running like a well oiled machine. I might even get a flush of excitement (endorphins) and know that I can take full advantage of the extra energy as I push myself into overdrive. I’m focused on the finish line and know that the faster I push the sooner I can fall limp and drenched on the floor like a dirty bath towel. I feel like I can’t breathe, I want to stop and catch my breath, then I think about my competition and know if I just POWER THROUGH this part I might be able to beat his time and earn those bragging rights. Oh the satisfaction! I’m almost done, I’m so close, just one more. Somehow I muster up more effort than I started with and pump out my last rep. Then, as if it were my last breathe of air, I whisper, “TIME….” And fall flat on my back. A few minutes after my heart has recovered, I record my score on the board. Its at that point that I feel SuperHuman.

Now let’s step outside of the box. I look at my lifestyle and compare it to an intense CrossFit workout. My work week runs Monday through Saturday. Sunday night could be compared to checking the board for the WOD. My nerves kick in as I start to evaluate all that my week has in store for me. Monday morning its “3…2…1…GO!” and I feel that dread wondering how am I ever going to survive the next 5 days? I think about how it’s ONLY monday. By wednessday I'm halfway through the week and my body is screaming STOP! I want to come up for air, I want to veg-out and let my mind go numb, but my entire world and everyone that depends on me will crumble if I stop now. Outside of the gym I’m no longer SuperHuman. I am SuperMom. I drudge on into Thursday; it’s all down hill from here. I light myself on fire and start to pick up speed. I can see the weekend and that flush of excitement comes over me by Friday. I’ve got this in the bag. After bootcamp on Saturday I swoop in for the last round of laundry and house cleaning all so I can enjoy my Sunday with a deep breath as I fall flat on my back for recovery.

What doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger. Push your limits!

Mom can CrossFit too!

On Sunday my mom came to the gym with me for a tough WOD.

400 meter run

21 Thrusters

15 Pull ups

400 meter run

18 Thrusters

12 Pull ups

400 meter run

15 Thrusters

9 pull ups

In a month she will turn 48. Doesn't she look amazing!!! That's one sexy grandma!