July 2024 Athlete of the Month
July 2024 Athlete of the Month
Hannah Cumming
Coach’s Thoughts: Inspired by her husband Stephen's 10 month journey at CCF, Hannah joined us and has been unstoppable ever since. Her eagerness to learn new skills and receptiveness to feedback have been truly inspiring.
Despite the demands of preparing for the bar exam and being a supermom to two young children, Hannah consistently makes time for her fitness journey. She and Stephen make a fantastic team, seamlessly swapping childcare duties for their champion chocolate milk drinker, Sammy, to ensure they both get their workouts in. Hannah's incredible commitment and positive attitude are an inspiration to us all. Let's give her a big shoutout for being our Athlete of the Month!
How long have you been doing CrossFit?
My husband Stephen had been going to CCF for about 10 months when he suggested I come to a class. I saw how positively CrossFit impacted his life (you can read his AOTM post). But I was skeptical that I belonged at CrossFit.
I walked in with some of the common stereotypes about CrossFit - that you need to be a super-athlete rippling with muscle or have significant lifting experience, that it's a "meathead" culture, or that it's too intense to be sustainable on a regular basis for regular people. Core City Fitness quickly proved me wrong. Yes, there are some super-athletes with rippling muscles. But there are also people at varying fitness levels, all working hard to live a healthier life. Every workout can be scaled. And the coaches help you grow at the right pace, injury-free.
I had never touched a barbell before I walked into CrossFit. I hadn't worked out in 2 years. I was recovering from two pregnancies less than 2 years apart, the second of which put me on IV-fluids and bedrest for 4 months. While on bedrest, I lost significant muscle mass. I couldn't stand for more than 10 seconds to do the dishes without pain. Now I've been doing CrossFit for a little over 8 months and I'm getting stronger every week. Because of CrossFit, my lower back doesn't hurt like it used to when I pick up my sons. I have more energy and focus throughout the day. I'm a better Mom and wife because of CrossFit.
Favorite Movement?
Rope climbs. Makes me feel like a bad*ss.
What advice would you give to someone who is hesitant to start CrossFit?
Try it at least 3x (each day is different). Come to at least one Saturday class - the vibes are fun, and you just might make a new friend in the partner workout.
Favorite thing about CCF?
The community. People have been so welcoming, from the coaches to the athletes. Some of the fittest people in the gym have also been the most approachable, kind, humble, and inclusive (I'm looking at you Carlee!). A group of 4 of us who attend noon class dubbed ourselves the Spice Girls (#IYKYK) - the conversations and the classes are always spicey (just ask Adam, who puts up with our shenanigans). I also really enjoy my fellow CrossFit Moms - you guys are superhumans. It's never a dull day when there are milk bottles in the fridge (not the chocolate milk, guys) and talk of diastasis and pelvic floor function.
The coaches are truly invested in each person's success and provide personalized and expert advice. Shout-out to Adam who is over-qualified to coach us, but never makes us feel that way. And another shout-out to Helen who is one of the most encouraging/motivational coaches I've met, not to mention highly qualified, and a human with a heart of gold.
What do you do when you’re not at CCF (job, hobbies, other fitness, etc)?
I spend my time with my husband, Stephen, and our two sons, Sammy and Boaz - the three of them fill my days with joy and purpose. I love to do outdoor activities, like hiking, swimming, surfing, and glamping (lol). At home, nothing beats a backyard hangout with Stephen grilling, the sprinklers running, music jamming, and the boys laughing and playing until the fireflies come out. Our 14-pound rescue-dog-turned-guard-dog, Rey, is along for the ride.
In August I will be starting a one-year clerkship for Judge Dawkins Davis on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. I am passionate about upholding human rights on a global scale; domestically that translates to my interest and work in refugee law, anti-trafficking, and criminal justice reform. Before law school, I worked for 6 years in the finance sector, specifically in portfolio management and social impact investing.
What is your next big fitness goal?
In the near future, movements I'd love to work up to include pull-ups and toes-2-bar and PRs in deadlifts and strict presses. And 12 years from now, when my sons are 14 and 16 years-old, I want to be fit enough to keep up with them.
