NOVEMBER 2017
What's up Windy City!
For the month of November, we're really excited about our upcoming Barbells for Boobs event (December 2nd). As well, we'll be celebrating our 10 year anniversary on the same date at Matilda (where we celebrated our very first anniversary party back in 2008). All members, past and present, are welcome, and I truly hope to see you there. In addition to announcing upcoming events, we've got another truly worthy AOM story that we're excited to share with you...
Aside from all the great things happening at Windy City this month, we're heading into the home stretch of 2017 on a bittersweet note because Sheena will be leaving the Windy City staff this month.
When Sheena first told me that she was planning to step down as GM at Windy City, I wasn’t quite sure how to feel. I was a bit shocked, but I understood where she was coming from. Then, I was just bummed. Truly. And now… While I’m still bummed, I’m mostly proud and happy for her.
Sheena has done so much for Windy City. I can still remember our first few days working together, slowly getting to know each other. Sheena just wanted to help; to be part of a team. So… she started by helping any way she could; by filing contracts and waivers. A month or so later, she offered to drive all the way to Minnesota to pick-up some lifting platforms—the same exact platforms we still use today in the Oly room. Next thing you know, Sheena was one of our top coaches; as well, our nutrition expert. And for the last year and a half she has served as our General Manager and has done an amazing job!
For the last seven years, Sheena has been a leader here at Windy City. She embodies all that we value: health, authenticity, knowledge, inspiration, adventure, and she's a true teammate. And while I will, no doubt, miss working with her, I'm sincerely proud and happy for her. Sheena continues to lead from the front. Life is too short not to explore and discover all the things that you want to do, and for that, I'm happy for her.
All that said… I’m going to miss having her on our team. I think we all will.
Thank you, Couch. For everything.
—Justin
FAREWELL FROM SHEENA
Life is full of tough decisions. I have made one of the most difficult decisions of my own to date, and will be stepping down as General Manager of Windy City. November will be my last month as a Windy City employee, but I will continue to call Windy City home.
The impact Windy City, it's staff and members and extended community has had on me is invaluable. I moved to Chicago from Lincoln, NE a little over 7 years (August of 2010). I was in my 20’s, coming off a softball career, and not quite sure what my next step in life was supposed to be. My good friends Lauren and Dave had been raving about their new CrossFit gym in Chicago and encouraged me to come out and meet Justin in hopes of a potential coaching opportunity. This would prove to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Since then, Windy City has become my home away from home and I’ve made countless friendships and connections I will forever cherish. I met my future wife, Servia (aka Beef) at Windy City and I want my future children to grow up at Windy City. My best friends are here and some of the most inspirational people I have met are here. The community is truly unique, invaluable, and special to me.
As a member of Windy City, I'll still be around to celebrate those PRs, give high fives after workouts, and most likely clean up a few errant chalk spills from time to time. As for what my employment future holds, I'm excited to pursue a few different passions and areas of interest outside of the gym!
I’d like to thank the entire staff for their time, dedication, and continued commitment to making Windy City an amazing place to be every day. Windy City is truly blessed to have so many caring, passionate, and supportive coaches and support staff. I will miss working with these folks every day and can’t wait to watch them all continue to grow. I’d also like to thank Justin for following his dream in creating Windy City and continuing to lead from the front while providing opportunities for each member of the staff to pursue their passion for helping others LiveBig.
Thank you to each of you, the members, for making Windy City the place it is today and for making my time as GM an honor. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to serve you all and I’m excited for whatever the future has in store!
— Sheena
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THANKSGIVING HOURS:
Wednesday, Nov. 22
Normal hours
Thursday, Nov. 23
8am: Team WOD
9am: Team WOD
10am–Noon: Open gym (no Team WOD)
Friday, Nov. 24
8am: Team WOD
9am: Team WOD
10am–Noon: Open gym (no Team WOD)
Saturday, Nov. 25 and Sunday, Nov. 26
Normal hoursBARBELLS FOR BOOBS WORKOUT CHARITY EVENT — DEC. 2nd
Everyone has a right to know if they’re living with breast cancer. There’s a tremendous need for all types of support, from being proactive, to detection, treatment and survivorship. Join us for our annual charity workout and help Windy City raise money to support Barbells for Boobs.
The Workout Event: Dec. 2nd at 8am
Grab a partner and crush this workout:
"THE O.B."
20 total rounds for time (20 min time cap):
12 wall ball, 20lb / 14lb
1 clean, (185lb / 135lb) (135lb / 95lb) (95lb / 75lb)*
7 burpee over bar
*Choose the appropriate weight for your skill level. ONE barbell per partner. Can be male/male, female/female or female/male
**Partners alternate rounds, 10 rounds/person. SCALED workout option for family and friends who want to participate, but are new to CrossFit.
SIGN UP NOWOur Goal: $20,000 by Dec. 2nd
Help us raise funds for this incredible organization! Any donation gets you a free ticket to the workout event. There are a few ways in which you can help us reach this goal:
Option 1: Donate any amount directly to team Windy City
https://fundraise.barbellsforboobs.org/team/136240
Option 2: Donate any amount to any Windy City fundraising team member (it all counts toward team Windy City total). Breast Cancer survivor, and Windy City member, Amy Benson raised a lot of money for us last year!
Option 3: Create your own fundraising page by joining the Windy City team and raise as much as you can. Simply create a page and select Windy City as your team. Then spread the word! This is a great option if you have a wide network of people to reach out to.
SIGN UP NOWANNIVERSARY PARTY — DEC. 2nd
It's time to put down the barbells and pick up the cocktails! Join us for Windy City's 10-year anniversary/holiday party at Matilda on Dec. 2nd (after the Barbells for Boobs event) from 8pm–???. Come party BIG with us!NEW SLATE HOODIES ARE IN
If you pre-ordered a new pullover hoodie, check the front desk to pick up yours. We have a few extras for those who didn't pre-order, but not many.
ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
Kelly Bourquin
"When I came to Windy City I was all over the place. My anxiety was at its highest, I was bored/plateauing with my fitness, and going through a stressful work transition. I had zero knowledge of CrossFit except that I knew it wasn’t for me. I had spent the previous 3 years working with a trainer who helped me lose the 40lbs I had put on in college but my nutrition was a disaster. In addition, I was going to Physical Therapy weekly for chronic hip pain. While searching Google for a Nutritionist I came across Coach Sheena’s article detailing her experience with Windy City and Nova 3 Labs. It took a few months but eventually with a little encouragement from my Nova Coach and approval from my Physical Therapist, I got up the courage to walk through Windy City’s door..."
FAVE FIVE FROM THE COACHES
Here's a list of what we're loving and learning this month:
Annie: Favorite Instagram account right now
Alexsey Torokhtiy—watching his slow motion videos equipped with arrows, angles and lots of great direction to ensure or perfect weightlifting form.PJ: Book I'm reading
Tools of Titans by Tim Ferris—The tactics, routines, and habits of billionaires, icons, and world-class performers.Cody: Documentary I'm watching
Icarus on Netflix—A wild dive into the blood doping scandals in cycling as well as Russia's doping scandal in the Olympics.Sheena: New obsession
Stance Socks—I always thought "socks are just socks" then I tried out a pair of Stance low cut athletic socks. They are truly the most comfortable socks I've ever worn. P.S. I have no affiliation with Stance, but I do have a reputation for loving "luxuriosly soft/comfortable" items according to my fiancee.Patrick: Book I'm (re)reading
The Alchemist—Old but gold as they say. I'm not a big reader, but this book is honestly amazing. Really makes you think about life and finding one's destiny. More self-help than literature. To quote the novel: "when you really want something to happen, the whole universe will conspire so that your wish comes true."
ARTICLE OF THE MONTH
94-Year-Old Embraces CrossFit, Healthy Living
by Ross Coughlan on journal.crossfit.com
Ninety-four-year-old George Evans of South Wales, U.K., has been active his entire life. Orphaned at 12, he took up dance at 14, worked as a locomotive fireman during World War II and was an avid swimmer. At the urging of a neighbor, Evans visited Reebok CrossFit 365 in Skewen, South Wales, at the age of 92. Since then, he’s come into the box every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Evans always starts off with 300 meters on the rower, then proceeds to lift weights or tackle any other movements his coach, Sophie McLean, recommends.
GET IN GEAR
Pumpkin Spice RXBARS
Get a taste of fall. Smooth pumpkin, blended together with warming hints of cinnamon, ginger and cloves will remind you of your favorite pumpkin pie. You’ll want to stock up on this flavor before it disappears until next fall.
Available in store for $3
Keep livin' BIG, my friend.
Blutter posted at 11:42am on Nov. 1, 2017
A big THANKS! to Sheena from whom I learned a ton of great technique cues delivered with compassion and wisdom over 5 1/2 terrific years.
I’m sure you’ll do great at wherever your next posting finds you.
You will be missed!
Blutter