September Athlete of the Month: Heather Hayes
Congratulations Heather, You are the September NoCoast Athlete of the Month!
We’d like to officially welcome Heather to the NoCoast Coaching Staff! Heather has grown so much in the time she has been at NoCoast and we are so proud of the athlete, individual, and up and coming coach she has become. Not only has her fitness improved, but she has eagerly taken on a leadership role within our community; She genuinely cares for everyone and has committed herself to helping others through the CrossFit methodology. We are excited to be a part of the next chapter in Heather’s CrossFit journey and for her to be a part of each of our members! Congrats, Heather!
Quotes from Heather:
“It wasn’t only the workouts, but the people that helped to change me for the better. We all come from different walks of life, different pasts, different sufferings and struggles, but once you walk through the doors of the gym none of that matters. The hardest step is just showing up, then you learn to push yourself beyond what you think you are capable of. You learn to value yourself and the gifts of what a healthy body can do, you carry lessons of resilience and perseverance learned in the gym over into life, and you are bonded to this cool community of people who support you in much more than just a daily WOD.”
“It has completely changed my health and my life. I struggled with so many things from depression, addiction, and malnutrition. I am healthier, fitter, and stronger now than I have been in my entire life.”
“Be patient with yourself, and keep coming back, especially on the days you don’t want to.”
Age/weight:
36 / 140lbs
Athletic/Sports:
Division I Women’s Basketball University of Kansas, as well as cross country, soccer, and track.
How long have you been CrossFitting:
Since the fall of 2016 (3 years).
How did you get into CrossFit:
Kind of a long story. I grew up playing sports and went to college playing sports. However, there was a period in my life where I fell far away from anything healthy or active. I had been living and working in Colorado for a few years, no family or friends, and I knew I needed structure to help get me out of some destructive habits I had formed because I was in pretty bad shape. This led me to apply for a second job working the front desk for a gym in Castle Rock, CO. “The GYM,” as it was called, was like a Gold’s gym in the front of the house with tons of machine weights, treadmills and ellipticals, BUT it had this really unique garage gym in the back where people would come to do these “CrossFit” workouts. Being a former collegiate athlete I was intrigued by the variety of movements involved within the workouts from gymnastics to olympic lifts. Friends had asked me to come help support some of the gyms’ athletes at this CrossFit competition called “the turkey challenge.” I literally had no idea what a CrossFit competition even entailed, but I went and am super grateful I did. I walked into this freezing cold gym in the middle of November and the first thing I saw were these athletes pulling themselves up and over these high gymnastics rings hanging from the ceiling. I had never seen anything like it. I was so amazed at the strength and stamina these people had and I wanted to learn more. As the events rolled on I saw athletes walking on their hands, climbing ropes, running obstacle courses, and lifting barbells much heavier than their body weight, all the while supporting one another through these painful but fun and exciting workouts. I recognized there was more to CrossFit than just the workouts. I saw how bonded these people were to one another, the comraderie that it created in suffering together. I started CrossFit in the days following that competition and haven’t stopped since. Shortly after that I moved to north Denver for my job, which in turn led me eventually to NoCoast. It wasn’t only the workouts, but the people that helped to change me for the better. We all come from different walks of life, different pasts, different sufferings and struggles, but once you walk through the doors of the gym none of that matters. The hardest step is just showing up, then you learn to push yourself beyond what you think you are capable of. You learn to value yourself and the gifts of what a healthy body can do, you carry lessons of resilience and perseverance learned in the gym over into life, and you are bonded to this cool community of people who support you in much more than just a daily WOD.
Favorite WOD/movement:
Wall balls, snatches, and muscle up’s. It is hard to choose one, so many movements I really love. Favorite WOD Nasty Girls.
Least favorite WOD/movement:
50 cal bike for time.
Most memorable CrossFit moment:
When I first started CrossFit I didn’t have enough strength to do anything unassisted, so getting my first unassisted strict pull up was most memorable for me.
How does nutrition play a role in your fitness/recovery:
Nutrition is the foundation. Making sure I am fueling my body properly and enough each day with a good balance of proteins, carbs and fats, and no added or processed sugars helps me stay energized and feeling good!
How has CrossFit improved your overall wellness:
It has completely changed my health and my life. I struggled with so many things from depression, addiction, and malnutrition. I am healthier, fitter, and stronger now than I have been in my entire life.
What are your goals/aspirations with coaching:
To help be an inspiration and support to others in leading and maintaining a healthy, positive lifestyle. Longevity is the goal.
Advice to new people:
Be patient with yourself, and keep coming back, especially on the days you don’t want to.