Athlete of The Month

ATHLETE(S) OF THE MONTH
MID SEPTEMBER
RYAN "BIG SEXY" AND CORTNEY TRAMA

RYAN BEFORE

CORT BEFORE

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL W/ BIG SEXY

#1 WHEN DID YOU START CROSSFIT?
I started Cross fit about a year and a half ago. 
The gym scene was getting boring and I wanted to try something new.

#2 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT CROSSFIT KIP?
My favorite thing about KIP has got to be the atmosphere. 
Not to mention the friendly and knowledgable coaching staff. 
Bar none the best Cross fit gym around.

#3 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIFT?
My favorite lift is the power snatch. 
Nothing like raw power and technique to get something over your head.

#4 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WOD?
My favorite WOD is a toss up between Grace and Karen.

#5 WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE LIFT?
My least favorite lift is the squat clean. I never can make it on Tuesday for clean day, so there a little rough. 
But I'm working on it.

#6 WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE WOD?
My least favorite WOD, well let's see anything with squat cleans is pretty awful. 
No wait I'd like to change my answer. My least favorite Is any WOD that your brother Matt's not there for. 
I Love you Matt!

#7 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
My favorite movie, there are so many. If I have to choose one I'm going to say Captain America 2. 
I'm a big fan of superhero movies.

#8 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE?
Favorite quote hands down Ivan Drago "if he dies, he dies". Soo deep!

#9 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC?
I pretty much like everything. But if I had to pick I'm going with anything from the 80's. 
Nothing beats a hair band love ballot.

#10 NOW THAT YOU ARE A WEB CELEB WO IS YOUR MALE/FEMALE CRUSH CAUSE 
YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE A CHANCE WITH THEM NOW?
Well now that Mike's a celeb maybe I'll choose him. 
No, really I don't know, probably Scarlet Johansen. She is super hot as the Black Widow. 
Not as hot as my wife though. I love you honey.

#11 WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE TO A NEW COMER?
Best advice I can give to the newcomers is stay focused on YOUR goals, have fun, and soak it all 
in cause your in good hands.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL W/ CORT

Question #1 - When did u start CrossFit?Answer #1 - JUNE OF 2014 , 
After a year of hearing about CrossFit from Ryan..... 
I finally decided to sample the "kool Aid "  for myself .... Thanks for the motivation babe  : ) 

Question #2 - What is your favorite thing about CrossFit KIP?Answer #2 - Definitely the people,
 I have found inspiration and motivation in every person I have met at KIP!!

Question #3 - What is your favorite Lift?Answer #3- I love the Back Squat  

Question #4 - What is your favorite WOD?Answer #4 - I like all Hero WOD'S....... 
They are highly motivational and hurt like hell!!! its the best feeling,when you finish a hero WOD!!!!

Question #5 - What is your least favorite lift?Answer #5- I'd have to say that my least favorite is the dead lift......... 
I feel like my intestines are going to fall out ...lol

Question #6 - What is your least favorite WOD?Answer #6 - No one WOD sticks out as my least favorite......
They all suck soooo goood...lol...If it hurts, it works , rite???

Question #7 - What is your favorite movie?Answer #7 - the Goonies!!!! Best flick ever.........

Question #8 - What is youor favorite quote?Answer #8 - If you want something you have never had, then you've got to do something you've never done 
........Strive to be at the top because the bottom is overcrowded. 

Question #9 -  What is your favorite music?Answer #9 - I an a music buff.....
 I love anything with a great beat and some catchy lyrics.

Question #10 - Who is your celebrity male/female crush now that you are a web celeb 
maybe you have a chance?Answer #10 - PINK!!! she is the ultimate badass .......
.A reminder to all the moms out there that there are ABS after baby!!!! 


Question # 11 - Any advice you can give to a CrossFit Newcomer??Answer #11 -    
Show up and give it your all ; push through the pain and exhaustion; let it kick your ass ,
it will make you stronger both mentally and physically if you let it. 
The failures of yesterday  are  achievements of tomorrow : )


ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
JUNE 5TH - JULY 5TH
ANDREW DICKSON

Question #1 - When did u start CrossFit?

Answer #1 - I started crossfit about two years ago but have been 

coming here at Crossfit KIP for about 4 months.

Question #2 - What is your favorite thing about CrossFit KIP?

Answer #2 - I enjoy the support that you get from everyone at the gym.  

It is a great atmosphere to workout and train at.

Question #3 - What is your favorite Lift?

Answer #3 - Rowing, oh I guess that is not a lift so I would have to go with deadlifting.

Question #4 - What is your favorite WOD?

Answer #4 - I am a big fan of "Murph" running and high reps of pull ups, 

push ups, and squats nothing is more mentally challenging than that.

Question #5 - What is your least favorite lift?

Answer #5 - Definitely the front squat, there is no good that can come from that.

Question #6 - What is your least favorite WOD?

Answer #6 - Fran, who thought it was a good idea to 

mix a front squat with a push press and then do 45 of them come on man.

Question #7 - What is your favorite movie?

Answer #7 - We Were Soldiers, Mel Gibson, awesome awesome movie.

Question #8 - What is youor favorite quote?

Answer #8 - "Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory." --

                                                                                           General George S. Patton Jr.

Question #9 -  What is your favorite music?

Answer #9 - Country music all day, nothing is more American than country Thursdays.

Question #10 - Who is your celebrity male/female crush now that you 

are a web celeb maybe you have a chance?

Answer #10 - Ronda Rousey the UFC women's bantam weight champion of the world.

 I mean come on have you seen her fight she is ridiculous. 

Question # 11 - Any advice you can give to a CrossFit Newcomer??

Answer #11 - Stick to it, and results will come and have fun with it. 

And oh yeah don't forget to use chalk it makes the weights lighter.  

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
MARCH 12TH - APRIL 12TH

STEPH MARRA

Question #1 - When did u start CrossFit?

Answer #1 -  October 31, 2011. 

Question #2 - What is your favorite thing about CrossFit KIP?

Answer #2 - I love the balance of camradery vs competition. 

I love all the inspirational people around me. I love be constantly reminded that there is always somebody 

better then you and there is always somebody not as good as you---

But keep watching because tomorrow the person that wasn't so good is going to kick your a--. 

It's amazing. I love that there is always a new challenge.

 I love that I feel strong and I love that I feel like I can kick somebody's a-- if I had too! 

Question #3 - What is your favorite Lift?

Answer #3 -   Backsquat

Question #4 - What is your favorite WOD?

Answer #4 -  Ugh the pressure! Do you think I can really remember what I love! I love them all!

Question #5 - What is your least favorite lift?

Answer #5 - It use to be the snatch but I recently feel like deadlifts are no fun!

Question #6 - What is your least favorite WOD?

Answer #6 - One that I don't finish or too many people beat me! 

Question #7 - What is your favorite movie?

Answer #7 - Silence of the Lambs

Question #8 - What is your favorite quote?

Answer #8 - If I cant remember a WOD from yesterday, you don't really think I can remember what people say! 

My favorite quote probably changes daily and may come from the last fortune cookie I opened. 

Really the most important words are said by each other on a daily basis and we should really listen to 

each other more often.

Question #9 -  What is your favorite music?

Answer #9 -  Its mood changing. Today's song of the day is by Dead or Alive "You spin Me Round" 

Question #10 - Who is your celebrity male/female crush now that you are a web celeb maybe you have a chance?

Answer #10 - The only male celebrity in my life is My Husband. He is my true life hero 

and he makes my world a better place. And every girl has a girl crush no matter how hard 

they deny it! Mine is Shakira. 

Question # 11 - Any advice you can give to a CrossFit Newcomer??

Answer #11 - Just show up and let this incredible atmosphere suck you in! 

Be patient and don't cheat! Oh and while I have anyones attention...

Please put the "F"ing barbell in the open holes toward the back of the rack if they are open. 

Its a really simple concept!

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
FEBRUARY - MARCH

VICKI PUCCIO!!!!

Question #1 - When did u start CrossFit?

Answer #1 – 2 years ago.

 I actually started working 1:1 with Dr. Sean several months before that. 

I was injured from having to suddenly frequently lift and move a lot of heavy stuff 

and I was going to my chiropractor a few times a week. I met him there and he 

began treating me as well. At one point I told him that I wanted to be strong enough 

to avoid hurting myself. He offered to train me and when the 

gym opened in Long Beach I started meeting him there. 

At first I couldn’t even do a single pushup. 

I was completely intimidated by the workouts that were going on. 

When I had an opportunity to take an elements class I did and then 

I came once or twice a week. Now it’s 5. I never imagined that I’d be doing this and loving it. 

I had never even been to a gym before.

Question #2 - What is your favorite thing about CrossFit KIP?

Answer #2 – I love the challenge, and that it is a personalized challenge.

 It’s ok to scale things to where you really are and grow from there. 

The people are really great, too – coaches and members.

Question #3 - What is your favorite Lift?

Answer #3 – Probably power cleans.

Question #4 - What is your favorite WOD?

Answer #4 – I seem to do well with WODs like Cindy – I just find a pace and keep it.

Question #5 - What is your least favorite lift?

Answer #5 – Snatch. Definitely the snatch.

Question #6 - What is your least favorite WOD?

Answer #6 – Anything with double unders in it. They’re still so frustrating.

Question #7 - What is your favorite movie?

Answer #7 – Stranger Than Fiction

Question #8 - What is your favorite quote?

Answer #8 – “You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails”.

Question #9 -  What is your favorite music?

Answer #9 – I like many styles – jazz, country, classical… 

I prefer to listen to instrumental music rather than vocal.

Question #10 - Who is your celebrity male/female crush now that you are a web celeb maybe you

 have a chance?

Answer #10 – I don’t really have one.

Question # 11 - Any advice you can give to a CrossFit Newcomer??

Answer #11 –Persevere. Find encouragement. Keep goals before you and give yourself a reasonable amount of time to reach them.Also, really pay attention to the nutrition information that’s available to you. There are so many diseases and conditions that are preventable. Why wouldn’t you?

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
JANUARY - FEBRUARY

                                        JP PRAGER

Question #1 - When did u start CrossFit?

Answer #1 - April,2012.

Question #2 - What is your favorite thing about CrossFit KIP?

Answer #2 - The competition.  First,

the competition between yourself and fellow gym members. 

More importantly,the competition with yourself.  Also the long list of characters 

Ive met along the way,who make the gym hysterical. 

Anywhere you can work and laugh your ass off simultaneously sounds like a good place to me. 

Question #3 - What is your favorite Lift?

Answer #3 - My favorite lift has to be power cleans,i will do that sh*t all day.

Question #4 - What is your favorite WOD?

Answer #4 - My favorite WOD is any big Hero WOD...

especially on holidays where most of the gym shows up. 

 Its a blast to see everyone including the coaches show up and struggle through 

a brutal workout.

Question #5 - What is your least favorite lift?

Answer #5 - My least favorite lifts are squat snatchs.  

Only true weirdos would say they enjoy doing heavy squat snatches.  

Question #6 - What is your least favorite WOD?

Answer #6 - FRAN

Question #7 - What is your favorite movie?

Answer #7 - too close to call.  Godfather 2/ Back to the Future.

Question #8 - What is youor favorite quote?

Answer #8 - "no one gives it to you,you have to take it"

Question #9 -  What is your favorite music?

Answer #9 - ill listen to anything.except country. COUNTRY THURSDAYS ARE AWFUL.

Question #10 - Who is your celebrity male/female crush now that you are a web celeb 

maybe you have a chance?

Answer #10 -  Camile Leblanc-Bazinet...

i think she may be able to outlift me on most lifts,

but id still pay to watch her do wall balls.(both of us alone in the gym.)

Question # 11 - Any advice you can give to a CrossFit Newcomer??

Answer #11 -  set realistic goals ..daily goals/weekly/monthly etc.,

follow the crossfit program and eat correctly and you will be amazed at the results.  

Don't get too high when you meet those results,but dont get too low when you fail.  

Tommorow's WOD and tommorows lift are just around the corner,

forget yesterdays times and PRS and just give todays workout everything you have.

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER

BRIAN COOK!!

THE GUY EVEN HAS PISTOLS!

Question #1 - When did u start CrossFit?

Answer #1 -  April 2012

Question #2 - What is your favorite thing about CrossFit KIP?

Answer #2 - The patience and knowledge of the coaches because without them I'd probably just be paralyzing myself trying to lift weight.  And also the social aspect of going to the gym.  Every time going there it is pretty much a hang out with a side of exercise.

Question #3 - What is your favorite Lift?

Answer #3 -  I definitely enjoy cleaning and snatching equally as there is always room for improvement in those movements.  

Question #4 - What is your favorite WOD?

Answer #4 -  Elizabeth, 21-15-9 Cleans and Ring Dips

Question #5 - What is your least favorite lift?

Answer #5 -  Wall climbs are the bane of my existence.  

Question #6 - What is your least favorite WOD?

Answer #6 -  Hero WOD Coe.  It gave me Fran-lung and got me sick for 3 days afterwards.  

Question #7 - What is your favorite movie?

Answer #7 -  Forrest Gump.  

Question #8 - What is youor favorite quote?

Answer #8 -  'Enjoy every sandwich' - Warren Zevon

Question #9 -  What is your favorite music?

Answer #9 - At the gym, Metal Monday.  Huge PRs on Metal Mondays.

Question #10 - Who is your celebrity male/female crush now that you are a web celeb maybe you have a chance?

Answer #10 -   Emmy Rossum!  swoon!  I like to believe I've had a chance all along.  

Question # 11 - Any advice you can give to a CrossFit Newcomer??

Answer #11 -  Do not care about what anyone else is doing and do not compare your abilities to theirs because odds are they do not care about what you are doing.  And find a balance between knowing your limits and pushing yourself.  

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER

LISA WRIGHT

LISA BEFORE - MAY 2013

LISA AFTER - 4 MONTHS LATER SEPTEMBER 2013!

Question #1 - When did u start CrossFit?

Answer #1 – I started Crossfit in May 2013

Question #2 - What is your favorite thing about CrossFit KIP?

Answer #2 – My favorite thing about Crossfit KIP is the people.  The coaches are awesome, they achieve a great balance between supporting and challenging you at the same time.  And the members of KIP are amazing.  There are some very warm, generous people there who made me feel so much better about myself and my abilities.  I love that there is always someone to encourage you when the going gets tough.

Question #3 - What is your favorite Lift?

Answer #3 – It’s a tie between back squat and split jerk.

Question #4 - What is your favorite WOD?

Answer #4 – So far my favorite WOD is Heavy Helen.

Question #5 - What is your least favorite lift?

Answer #5 – My least favorite lift is the Snatch or anything in the Snatch family (sounds so dirty lol).

Question #6 - What is your least favorite WOD?

Answer #6 – Anything with double unders…still can’t get them.

Question #7 - What is your favorite movie?

Answer #7 – Master and Commander

Question #8 - What is youor favorite quote?

Answer #8 -“Do or do not there is no try” Yoda

Question #9 -  What is your favorite music?

Answer #9 – I have no favorite, I listen to everything. 

Question #10 - Who is your celebrity male/female crush now that you are a web celeb maybe you have a chance?

Answer #10 – Without a doubt Russell Crowe…I hear he’s single now.

Question # 11 - Any advice you can give to a CrossFit Newcomer??

Answer #11 – I will pass on the most helpful advice given to me as a newcomer. 

1.      Don’t worry about being judged or not being as good as anyone else.   Everyone had to start somewhere.  Everyone is there to get better at something. Just do you

2.     .Crossfit doesn’t get easier it just sucks less.

3.     Don’t worry that a WOD is too hard, just do the WOD. 

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER

KARINA BARBIERO

Question #1 - When did u start CrossFit?

Answer #1 -  I started CrossFit  on Monday, January 21, 2013.

Question #2 - What is your favorite thing about CrossFit KIP?

Answer #2 – I have two favorite things about CrossFit KIP. There is the unwavering sense of camaraderie that I have felt from day one, where everyone is so supportive of your efforts. It’s as if we are all one big team working together and cheering each other on. My second favorite thing is that every single workout brings with it a challenge, both physical and mental, that kicks my ass!

Question #3 - What is your favorite Lift?

Answer #3 – My favorite lift I’m going to say is the snatch, only because it is my most challenging. It’s really difficult for me to get out of my head when I attempt one.

Question #4 - What is your favorite WOD?

Answer #4 - Anything that does not involve push-ups is okay with me. I don’t know why, but I really hate push-ups and find myself cursing every time I do them (#&@$)!

Question #5 - What is your least favorite lift?

Answer #5 – Ummmm . . . I know I’m contradicting myself, but I have to say the snatch is also my least favorite lift. I have a love/hate relationship with it.

Question #6 - What is your least favorite WOD?

Answer #6 – Which WOD has the most push-ups?

Question #7 - What is your favorite movie?

Answer #7 – I love the movie, TO SIR, WITH LOVE.

Question #8 - What is your favorite quote?

Answer #8 – “Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. “Pooh?” he whispered.

“Yes, Piglet?” 

 "Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's hand. "I just wanted to be sure of you.” 

- A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Question #9 -  What is your favorite music?

Answer #9 – I’m an R&B girl all the way. Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, and Barry White baby!

Question #10 - Who is your celebrity male/female crush now that you are a web celeb maybe you have a chance?

Answer #10 – My favorite celebrity male crush is, hands down, Matt Damon . . . love him!! Hey Matt, if you’re reading this . . . XOXOXOXO!!

Question # 11 - Any advice you can give to a CrossFit Newcomer??

Answer #11 – Everyone is different. Know who YOU are and work with what YOU have. I think that people tend to undermine their self motivation and also underestimate their abilities to achieve. We are capable of a lot more than we think we are. The best advice I can give a CrossFit Newcomer is what I always tell myself; be patient, work hard, and don’t give up!

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

JULY - AUGUST

KRISTIN SICHLER

Question #1 - When did u start CrossFit?

Answer #1 -  October 2011-First CrossFit King of the Beach elements class!

Question #2 - What is your favorite thing about CrossFit KIP?

Answer #2 - I truly love everything!!  KIP is a unique gym-you get so much more out of it than just a good workout.  The people are beyond amazing!  Everybody wants to see you succeed and there's always someone there cheering you on when you need it most.  Our coaches are passionate, dedicated, motivating and damn good at what they do!  You get a personal sense of accomplishment from achieving things you never thought you would be able to do.

Question #3 - What is your favorite Lift?

Answer #3 - It's a toss up between the squat clean and deadlift.

Question #4 - What is your favorite WOD?

Answer #4 - Barbara  -5 rounds- 20 pull-ups, 30 push-ups, 40 sit-ups, 50 air squats

Question #5 - What is your least favorite lift?

Answer #5 - Snatches and overhead squats are equally horrible.

Question #6 - What is your least favorite WOD?

Answer #6 - JT  21-15-9 HSPU, Ring dips, push-ups

Question #7 - What is your favorite movie?

Answer #7 - Bridesmaids

Question #8 - What is youor favorite quote?

Answer #8 - "You never fail until you stop trying" 

Question #9 -  What is your favorite music?

Answer #9 - Depends on my mood, but I typically listen to the top hits.

Question #10 - Who is your celebrity male/female crush now that you are a web celeb maybe you have a chance?

Answer #10 - Channing Tatum

Question # 11 - Any advice you can give to a CrossFit Newcomer??

Answer #11 - Don't compare yourself to others or get easily discouraged.  CrossFit is a personal journey. You'll have good days and bad days.  Be proud and celebrate your accomplishments. Enjoy the "crossfit high" and embrace the pain.  Last but not least....nutrition IS important!! (I fought this one for a long time)

ANDY DOLAN

JUNE-JULY

ANDY BEFORE PIC

ANDY AFTER PIC #1

ANDY AFTER PIC #2

Question #1 - When did u start CrossFit?

Answer #1 - January 2013

Question #2 - What is your favorite thing about CrossFit KIP?

Answer #2 - I love knowing everyday I'm at KIP I'm going to be challenged, especially on days when I check out the WOD and think "Hey this isn't that bad, I got this one today" which ends up never happening. I also really like how supportive everyone is at the gym, especially the coaches.

Question #3 - What is your favorite Lift?

Answer #3 - Back squat, it was one of the few lifts I felt somewhat comfortable doing when I first joined. 

Question #4 - What is your favorite WOD?

Answer #4 - Any WOD I can Rx. It has been a real challenge to go from needing to modify every single workout to finally start getting some Rx's. My goal for the next few months is to get more and more Rx workouts.

Question #5 - What is your least favorite lift?

Answer #5 - Squat Snatch, I always put up less weight than I feel like I could do because the right form and balance are really hard to get. 

Question #6 - What is your least favorite WOD?

Answer #6 - "Angie" has been my least favorite so far but I have been warned to lookout for "Kalsu".

Question #7 - What is your favorite movie?

Answer #7 - My Cousin Vinny.

Question #8 - What is youor favorite quote?

Answer #8 - "You got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going, because you might not get there." - Yogi Berra 

Question #9 -  What is your favorite music?

Answer #9 - I tried to resist for a long time, but with having a lot of family in North Carolina and going to Virginia Tech, I finally caved-in and became a big country fan. 94.7 has been great and has definitely helped me convert some of my friends up here to country music. 

Question #10 - Who is your celebrity male/female crush now that you are a web celeb maybe you have a chance?

Answer #10 - I haven't thought about this in a while but Topanga was my first, and it is always tough to forget your first. I also heard Boy Meets World or a spinoff of it is coming back soon so I maybe I can relive my elementary and middle school celeb crush days when I thought I had shot. 

Question # 11 - Any advice you can give to a CrossFit Newcomer??

Answer #11 - Don't be intimidated by anyone or any movement at the gym. Everyone is there to help you and if you keep coming, keep challenging yourself you will get better and you will see the results. I showed up early to my first elements class to see the 6pm class filled with people in really good shape killin the WOD with Hang Power Snatches and Bar Muscle-Ups. Part of me wanted to ask for my money back from Sean and get out of there because there is no way I could belong to place like this, but I stayed and it has been one of the best decisions I have made.