January 2012
January 2012
Athlete Profile
Lisa Nunley
Meet Lisa Nunley, CrossFit NWA’s Athlete Profile for January 2012. Lisa started CrossFit by joining CFNWA in April 2011 after completing the one on one on ramp with Coach Lacie.
You may have seen Lisa around the gym in different classes in a wheel chair, on crutches, or recently just walking around like everyone else. However, Lisa isn’t exactly like everyone else as few have her determination to overcome the odds. What you might remember about Lisa more than her physical capabilities are her contagious personality and strength of will which is the essence of the CrossFit Community.
We recently sat down with Lisa and asked her a few questions:
CFNWA: “Why did you start CrossFit?” Lisa: “I started because it looked like something I would love. However, I'm over 40, raising 6 kids. I have birthed four kids, three of which were C-sections. All that on top of the fact that I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 1999 made Crossfit out of my league. The MS was exacerbating more frequently and my last one caused me to lose most of the feeling in my legs for over a month around January 2011. I had to walk with a walker. I stopped by CrossFit NWA to talk with Lee even though I was fully convinced I couldn’t do it. I explained to Lee about how the MS was getting worse and I had a brain covered in lesions, along with a boatload of seemingly valid excuses. I just knew Lee would agree with me that CrossFit was beyond my reach. Ummm… he didn’t agree with me and felt it was well within my reach. So, I started the one-on-one on-ramp with Lacie at the end of April 2011, to actually prove that I wouldn’t be able to do it. Lacie was an awesome trainer and was so patient. I also heard about Lee’s cancer story as well as other people sharing their triumphs over various obstacles because of CrossFit. Those stories gave me a glimpse of hope that maybe I could do this. And yep, I'm still here. Not only am I doing movements i never thought possible, but i haven't had MS issues since I started. CrossFit isn’t just a program, it’s a life changer. The heart of CrossFit are the people and their stories. We all encourage each other to persevere far beyond our perceived limitations and that permeates into all aspects of your life. For me, it has even contributed to increasing my faith in God. I fell in love with CrossFit and the incredible community of CrossFit NWA.”
CFNWA: “What are your favorite WODs?”
Lisa: “My favorite WODs right now are Murph and Fran. They are both challenging. I love Hero WODs in general because of the stories behind these soldiers who fought for our country, they gave their lives for our freedom. I don’t ever want to take that for granted.”
CFNWA: “What are your favorite CF movements?”
Lisa: “My favorite exercises are handstand pushups, pull ups, and dead lifts.”
CFNWA: “What do you like about CrossFit?”
Lisa: “I love CrossFit because it takes a person who, by all normal standards, doesn’t appear to qualify for something athletically intense and makes that person an athlete beyond their expectations.”
CFNWA: “What is it about CFNWA that is special to you?”
Lisa: “I believe CrossFit in general is awesome, but I even more believe that CrossFit NWA is uniquely set apart in its awesomeness. It is the people we have there.”
Once you meet Lisa in person and get to know her you will understand why CrossFit builds community like nothing else.
-CrossFit NWA
Train to Survive
