Meet Our athletes

Maria

“I am a 26 year old from Venezuela. I have a degree in Civil Engineering and a flight attendant license. I am currently working for a telecommunications company in the project department, making autocad drawings for the design of optical fibers. I am a nature lover and I enjoy hiking and camping. I like discovering new restaurants and spending time with my family and friends. I am a faithful believer in the power of a smile and that we can always help those who need it.”

How and when were you first introduced to CrossFit?

“It was in the year 2015 when I was preparing to climb the Roraima Tepuy (one of the most breathtaking mountains) for the first time, then I went back in 2017 for a few months and after moving to Chicago, in 2021 I was looking for a physical activity to do and the first thing that came to my mind was CrossFit.”

What is something that surprised you about CrossFit when you first started?

"I love the idea that in an hour of training you can exercise various parts of the body and that each class breaks the limitations that we inadvertently put on ourselves. One day you say you want to lift X amount of weight and little by little you achieve it."

What is your favorite movement? Least favorite?

"My favorite is the squats in all their variations and my least favorite is the handstand, it scares me a bit but we are working on improving it."

What is something you have done in MR that you never thought you'd do?

“What has filled me the most with pride is being able to climb the rope.”

What is your favorite part about MR?

"It's definitely the diversity of the members/coaches. From day 1 they have made me feel like one of the group! And how much fun they are, you will never get bored at MR."

What would you tell someone who is considering joining CrossFit at MR?

"They must take advantage of the introduction class. That first class is highly recommended because they teach you several CrossFit movements and the sense of community is felt instantly. Have an open mind when attending the first class because each movement can be adapted to your abilities, and you will be accompanied by people who encourage you to do better each time."

Along with her goals in the gym, Maria has been working for seven months on nutrition goals and changing her relationship with food.

“At first, my goal in working with a nutrition coach was to lose weight, but little by little I understood that weight is just a number. From there, my goal has taken me every month to a different objective, the main ones being to lower the percentage of fat and increase muscle mass. I haven't reached 100% of my goals yet but I'm working on it, although the results are clearly very visible.”

What is the most important thing you learned from working with the nutrition coach?

“Food is the fuel of your body, by eating well your body feels good, with more energy, with more strength. The weight is just a number, the results will be visible by making photographic comparisons. Food and exercise are the key factors for a desired result. It is always better to seek expert help and always have faith in the process.”

We are so proud of Maria for working so hard and crushing her goals in and out of the gym. But that isn’t all. Maria just launched her own business: Mawari Activewear.

“My love for nature led me to do a lot of tourism in my country, Venezuela. There I had the incredible opportunity to climb the Roraima Tepuy twice and I was very surprised by the fact that clothing was a very important factor for a successful trip. From there the idea was born: creating a clothing brand that adapts to any climatic and physical condition, that allows perspiration and quick drying, as well as providing sun protection for our skin without forgetting style.”

What makes Mawari different from other apparel companies?

“It is a brand created by my mother and I through love. We want women to feel beautiful and at the same time comfortable that they can wear unique, durable and excellent quality pieces, with materials that come from our Amazon forest. Our pieces provide sun protection, comfortable fit, compression, quick drying, excellent breathability with comfort and style in the same piece.”

What is it like being a business owner?

“It is quite challenging since I have to fulfill my other obligations, but also comforting to know that we are providing excellent quality products to our community that we have been creating little by little.”

Check out Mawari Activewear at mawariactivewear.com

Jake

This is Jake. He moved from Minneapolis to Chicago is 2018 with a job as a Front End Web Developer, a job he has had for about 7 years. Outside of the office and CrossFit, Jake is outdoors snowboarding and camping. Jake is also an inspiring cyclist. He regularly does very long rides and has planned and led MR athletes in a bike ride as well - a group activity we plan to continue. Jake motivates fellow athletes inside and outside the gym! Jake had previous experience with CrossFit and other types of fitness but finally joined Movement Republic in 2019. “When I came to Chicago, and was trying to find something with a strong community to replace the awesome gym I left behind. I came in for an introductory class, and I signed up immediately after, now I can't imagine life without it.” 

What is your favorite and least favorite movement/metcon? 

“I will always love any metcon that has a jump rope in it, (double or triple unders) and this year I've really started to love our strength days. Nailing a heavy clean, or bumping up my snatch PR by 5 pounds is incredibly satisfying. I think my least favorite movement is wall walks, and I honestly believe that is residual trauma from the 2021 Open.”

What is something that surprised you about CrossFit when you first started?

“I think what surprised me the most about CrossFit was how accessible everything was. If I couldn't do a movement, there was no reason to struggle, just scale it down! Scaling down is super helpful to keep building confidence, and then when I finally nailed the movement, oh how glorious that feels.”

What is your favorite thing about MR?

“I'm sure this is a big reason most people join MR, but I've met so many awesome people in my 3 years here. There is something special about getting to know the people you work out with, and that really helps to keep you accountable and showing up, even when you REALLY don't want to be there. Plus I love a good game of burpee flip cup :)”

What is something you have done in MR that you never thought you’d do?

“I think the most surprising thing that CrossFit and MR has done for me is more about the mental fortitude that I can have rather than any one physical thing. Being able to push through my mental blocks of ‘You can't do any more’ and keep going, has really shown me what I'm physically capable of.”

What would you tell someone who is considering joining CrossFit at MR?

“You should definitely join for the awesome programming, (it's really amazing) but make sure you stick around after class once in a while to hang out and have a beer. I swear we are a lot of fun, (even though I complain a lot).”

We are very lucky to have Jake as a member of our community. He inspires athletes inside the gym, on the bike trails and during burpee flip cup! Come meet Jake, our other amazing athletes, and learn about burpee flip cup!

Anastasia

Anastasia has been an MR athlete for almost two years and is an athlete outside of the gym - she ran her first marathon in 2021. We are so proud of her! Anastasia usually works out in the morning and with her outgoing personality and sense of humor, you’d never know it was so early! Anastasia loves burpees and wall balls and strongly dislikes thrusters even though she is still pretty darn good at them. Learn more about Anastasia - one of our strong, badass women of MR:

“I am 32 years old & have a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. I work in commercial interiors for a commercial furniture manufacturer currently. I have worked for AIS for 6 years now and enjoy creating functional spaces for all types of different companies! Fun fact, I also bartend on the side and work Chicago summer festivals! Bartending kept me alive through college and I’ve never let it go! I’m a social butterfly and love meeting new people.” 

How and when were you first introduced to CrossFit?

“I was sick of going to a regular gym and started doing a lot of research. I was honestly bored and not seeing the results I was looking for. I came across CrossFit and decided to give it a try. I started with foundations and fell in love! I never looked back! I’ve been doing CrossFit now for almost 7 years!”

What is something that surprised you about CrossFit when you first started?

“The people! I won’t lie it was intimidating when I first started but after joining and seeing how everyone was there to help one another out I knew it was nothing like going to a normal gym. This is a community! I have made so many great friends from joining this unbelievably supportive community!”

What is your favorite thing about MR?

“Our community, our coaches and of course our badass boss, Coach Sarah! She truly inspires me!”

What is something you have done in MR that you never thought you’d do? 

“Prowlers at 535#!”

What would you tell someone who is considering joining CrossFit at MR?

“I would first let them know they do not need to be intimidated whatsoever! It’s nothing to be scared of, you can’t say you can’t do something until you try it! You just might fall in love with something that is about to change your life forever! I know I did!”

Kate

This is Kate. She is originally from Denver, CO and moved to Chicago about a year and half ago to start her first job out of school. She graduated from Purdue in 2020 before starting to work as a software developer. Kate started at MR during the pandemic but didn’t let the masks and the distant squares slow her down. She dove right in and we are very lucky to have her as part of our community. Another fun fact about Kate, she plays Gaelic Football a sport whose objective is to kick or PUNCH the ball into the goal (?!) and she is learning the mandolin! 

How and when were you first introduced to CrossFit?

“I started CrossFit last year after being inspired by my sweet mother. (Kate and her mother are in the photo together.) She has done CrossFit for years now and has really enjoyed it. After I moved to Chicago she encouraged me to follow in her footsteps and I did!”

 What is your favorite movement? And your least favorite movement?

“My favorite movement is high box jumps! There is such a thrill that comes with making the jump and not bashing my shins! My least favorite move is deadlifts. I just think they are boring!”

 What is something that surprised you about CrossFit when you first started?

“When I first started CrossFit, I was surprised at how every single workout was able to fully exhaust me. Because all of the programming is so scalable, each time I come into the gym, I am able to modify the workout to meet my ability level while still being challenged.”

 What is your favorite part about MR?

“My favorite thing about MR is seeing the same friendly faces when I come into the gym! I have a hard time staying motivated to work out on my own and the class structure and welcoming community at MR has been a big part in encouraging me to keep coming back. And of course I love supporting a woman-owned gym run by such a powerful lady!”

 What is something you have done in MR that you never thought you’d do?

“Something I've done at MR that I thought I'd never do is stay consistent about going to the gym for over a year! I am so grateful to have found a place that I love coming back to and that constantly challenges me.”

 What would you tell someone who is considering joining CrossFit at MR?

“I would encourage anyone thinking about joining MR to definitely come and give it a try! Sarah's Foundations class is a great introduction to CrossFit and makes starting at MR easy and comfortable. Joining MR has been one of the best things I've done for myself in the past few years and has provided me with a great community and plenty of physical challenges!”

Sandra

Meet Sandra. Sandra is one of MR’s badass, bilingual, super-moms, managing to juggle work as a bartender, making it to the gym for almost every WOD and taking care of her three children and two pups. She started CrossFit in 2016 and loved it but sadly, due to difficult circumstances, needed to quit for four years. She has been back at MR for a year. She said she missed how Coach Sarah motivates her to lose weight and keep her working hard. While CrossFit isn’t all about looking a certain way, a big part of Sandra’s CrossFit experience at MR has been getting stronger and losing weight. We are so happy for Sandra and that all of her hard work has made her feel more confident!

What is your favorite CrossFit metcon or movement?

“My favorite is hang power cleans and squats because it builds powerful glutes and strong legs.”

What surprised you about CrossFit when you started?

“Crossfit surprised me because we don’t have machines - we are the machines! Sarah programs all of the workouts and those WODs are fire!”

What is your favorite part about CrossFit at MR?

“The people - they push you to be better in your workouts and improve your technique. My friends at MR are the best!”

What would you tell someone who is considering starting CrossFit at MR?

“CrossFit is about gymnastics, weightlifting, and nutrition. You see big changes in your body and become stronger. Get over your fears - it’s worth it!”

Emma

This is Emma. She joined MR in 2017 and later moved to Boston in 2019 to get her graduate degree from MIT. We are so lucky to have her back! She moved back earlier this year and we are hoping to hang on to her this time. She works at an affordable housing non-profit doing community engagement and organizing in Humboldt Park. More fun facts about Emma: She was born with triple citizenship: Canada, U.S., and Venezuela. She also loves traveling and has been to 18 countries! Emma loves exploring neighborhoods, going to museums, parks, and trying out new bars and restaurants. She is a great person to ask for a recommendation for Chicago spots to hit!

How and when were you first introduced to CrossFit?

“I had wanted to try CrossFit for YEARS but I lived in Hyde Park and there weren’t any CF gyms down there at the time. I was a swimmer in high school and have always loved weightlifting and team sports. When I moved to the north side, I was specifically looking for a place near a gym. How lucky was I that it happened to be MR! I walked in one day, did foundations, and was hooked from here.”

What is your favorite movement/metcon?

“I love literally everything with the barbell. If I had to pick one it’d be the clean and jerk. It just feels badass.”

What is something that surprised you about CrossFit when you first started?

“Anyone can do CrossFit regardless of fitness level. Every single movement can be scaled. All you have to do is show up and try.”

What is your favorite part about MR?

“My favorite part of MR is the diverse and challenging programming. I know that no matter which days I show up, I’ll get a great workout. I would literally never workout without showing up to MR (this was proved to be true during the pandemic). The coaches are fantastic and welcoming. The members are friendly and fun to hang out with. The fact that the members are diverse in race, age, and fitness level helps make for a welcoming culture as well.”

What is something you have done in MR that you never thought you’d do?

“I would have NEVER attempted to do 200 burpees in one go.” Editor’s Note: She crushed it.

What would you tell someone who is considering joining CrossFit at MR?

“Do it! You will get outside of your comfort zone, get stronger, and meet new people along the way”

Kat

Meet Kat. She has been coming to Movement Republic for two years with her husband, Matt. Kat has a very important job at MR - she is the event planner! MR prides itself on it’s strong community and our gatherings and celebrations are very important to us. Kat, with her teacher-energy and creativity has brought those events to another level! We are really excited for the things she has planned for us this year. We asked Kat what she likes about being the event planner: “I love getting to help create opportunities for athletes to connect with each other socially, outside of a WOD or class.”

In addition to coordinating amazing events, Kat has incredible energy to motivate others during the WOD. She is a new mom and she is showing us what it means to get right back to work - she was in the gym at 9 months pregnant and back to working out soon after Austin came along (Catch baby Austin around the gym - he comes in to cheer us all on!) We asked Kat, what advice do you have for new moms who want to join MR or get back into the gym? “The female body is scary strong! It was strong before the baby, and it will be strong after...even when it feels like there’s no possible way! Be patient with yourself and count every movement as success.”

Where did you start CrossFit?

“I was first introduced to CrossFit when I was completing my student teaching in Michigan. I joined a gym and dropped in to different boxes on and off. I didn’t seriously commit to CrossFit until joining MR.”

What is something that surprised you about CrossFit when you first started?

“Though I’d consider myself athletic, I had never seriously lifted before joining CrossFit. Some of the lifts and gymnastics moves were definitely intimidating to me but I was surprised at how every move is scalable. This makes CrossFit accessible to anyone, no matter where they are in their fitness journey.”

What is your favorite lift?

“My favorite lift is probably the clean and jerk, but deadlift is a close second.”

What makes MR different than other CrossFit gyms you’ve been to?

“MR is the most welcoming fitness community I’ve ever been a part of. We are so lucky to have our fearless leader Sarah who is not only knowledgeable, but committed to seeing her athletes succeed! I’ve met so many people at MR that are more than just “gym friends” MR has become.”

What is something you have done in MR that you never thought you’d do?

“When I got pregnant in 2020, I knew I wanted to continue coming to CrossFit as long as I could. I never imagined I’d be back squatting at 9 months pregnant!”

Do you have a secret talent? Or special hobby?

“Before I became a mom and decided to stay home with my son, I was an elementary school teacher. Being a teacher is still very much a big part of who I am.”

What is your favorite workout music?

“If it’s a long metcon day, there better be Cardi B. playing!”

What would you tell someone who is considering joining CrossFit at MR?

“Do it! Join for fitness, stay for friendships!”

Victor

This is Victor. Victor has been an MR athlete for almost a year and is one of our MR Ambassadors. The Ambassadors are outgoing and welcoming - they are some of the first ones you will meet when you join MR. Victor is encouraging and enthusiastic. He cheers on everyone in class no matter how tired the WOD makes him. He learns everyone’s names and his positive attitude can turn your day around. He also just happens to make his way to the top of the whiteboard regularly! If you need a dose of positivity and motivation, find Victor.

How long have you been doing CrossFit?

“2021 is going to be year 5 for me...And it’s been better each year!”

What is your favorite CrossFit movement/lift/metcon?

“I would have to say thrusters...yeah, I said it!”

What is something that surprised you about CrossFit when you first started?

“How approachable it is. After not working out, in any specific setting, for some years I wasn’t sure how the transition to CrossFit was going to be. 5 years later, here I am!”

What is your favorite part about MR?

“In my experience, MR allows each individual to be themselves. There’s no expectations, come in - scale the WOD, Rx the WOD - just do your best and be yourself!”

When he isn’t at MR working out and cheering people on, he is cooking!

“I LOVE to cook...really LOVE to cook. A lot. Spaghetti carbonara to homemade red sauce to every day dinners to cooking out. All of it!”

What would you say to someone who is thinking of starting CrossFit at MR?

“Come in, give it a shot and keep an open mind. It’s not going to be easy but you’ll test yourself and be better for it. Check your ego at the door, work the technique, take cues from the coaches at MR, and ALWAYS keep a good attitude. Before you know it, it’ll be GO TIME!”

Mike

Mike has been a CrossFit athlete for about 5 years and a member of Movement Republic for a little over one year. In the last few months, Mike has gotten his first bar muscle-up, ring muscle-up and then strict muscle-up earning him the name “Muscle-Up Mike”!

What surprised you about CrossFit when you started?

“I didn’t realize how accessible CrossFit would be. Starting CrossFit was really intimidating, but everything about it makes coming back easy. Not only are the workouts scalable for any level of fitness, but the community is super supportive and welcoming.”

What is your favorite part about MR?

“I especially appreciate the programming. There's a purpose behind everything that we do and a lot of emphasis is put on developing proficiency with high skill movements. I like that there are workouts that I can’t do as prescribed - it makes goal setting easy.”

Mike has has reached a lot of goals since joining a year ago...

“After Sarah’s nutrition session this past spring, I decided to dial in my diet and am now down ~20 lbs. With that, my performance in the gym is improving across the board, but especially with gymnastics movements. A couple months ago I got my first bar muscle up, shortly after that landed my first ring muscle up, and then shortly after that nailed my first strict ring muscle up. As somebody who’s been doing CrossFit for a while, it’s really exciting to make this kind of progress again.”

When you aren’t at MR, what are you up to?

“I love going to concerts and discovering new music. I grew up a musician and even though I don’t play as much as I would like to anymore, music still plays a big role in my life.”

Clint

Clint has been doing CrossFit for almost six years, is a founding member of Movement Republic! Clint regularly brings his pup, Rosser around the gym but regularly brings in other pups for a visit. “I’m somewhat of a dog whisperer and I enjoy bringing the dogs that I am watching/fostering to the gym for extra attention.” Well, they certainly get extra attention at MR! We love the visiting pups!

What is something that surprised you about CrossFit when you first started?

“The confidence I gained in aspects of my life unrelated to fitness like at work or dating.”

What is your favorite CrossFit movement/lift/metcon?

“Back squat but I’m starting to love cleans and snatches.”

What is your favorite part about MR?

“The programing is top-notch; the best of any CrossFit gym in the city. I’ve also strangely found that most of my friends are also MR athletes now, which is fun when I’m pushing myself through a difficult workout and need extra support, or want to get a beer with on a Friday night.”

When Movement Republic celebrates its 5th anniversary in May, 2020, Clint will also be celebrating his MR anniversary. And if you join us, Clint will hand you a Blue Moon when you’re done with your workout!

Veronica

Veronica has been coming to MR for over a year now. She is a self-proclaimed cat lady. Her kitty would probably prefer she stay home with him but she is quite busy around MR...

How long have you been doing CrossFit?

“Five years.”

What is something that surprised you about CrossFit when you started?

“CrossFit has changed me a lot, physically and mentally. I feel down if I miss a day. It’s a part of my lifestyle. I love doing CrossFit.”

What is your favorite CrossFit Movement/Lift/Metcon?

“Cleans and I always look forward to long WODs.”

What is your favorite part about MR?

“The community, the programming, the coaches and the events.”

***We have a few events every month and you can bet on V being there, making sure you have a drink in your hand.