She’s small, but boy is she mighty.  Read on to get to know this strong, smart, and beautiful young woman.  Meet Halle…

What do you do for a living?

I currently work as a Physical Therapy Assistant at ExercisAbilities, but I am going back to school in the fall of 2018 for my master’s degree in Athletic Training.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of the gym?

I love spending time outdoors, and spending time with friends. I also have a dog that I can never get enough of.

What made you decide to try Progression?

I initially tried Progression just because of the size of the facility. I started at Detour when they had a boot camp program, but the gym was just too small for me. The atmosphere was not what I was looking for either.

How long have you been at Progression?

I have been at Progression for a year and 3 months.

What was your experience with fitness like prior to Progression?

My main sport growing up was swimming. I was in track and field, cross country, and swimming throughout high school. I continued running after high school and have completed multiple half marathons.

What was your biggest fear when you started?

My biggest fear when I first started was that I wasn’t going to be as strong as everyone else, which was very true. I was also nervous about being able to fit in and become part of the community, but that turned out to be one of the easiest parts thanks to all the fabulous personalities that Progression attracts.

Favorite cheat day meal?

PIZZA! Haha, I love pizza.

What goal(s) are you currently chasing?

This is a hard question, because my list of goals is constantly changing. The biggest goal I am chasing right now is maintaining (and increasing) my training intensity so that I am prepared to compete in the Granite Games next year. That includes a lot of specific smaller goals but I won’t bore everyone with those. Getting ring muscle ups is always in the back of my mind too. I just love how the pros make them look so effortless. Amazing.

What’s the hardest part about your fitness journey at the moment?

At the moment the hardest part is finding a good balance with everything else that keeps me busy. My days are packed between classes, work, Crossfit, studying, and spending time with my dog. Finding a balance between all of that while maintaining a social life has been a challenge, but not impossible. Getting to the gym is the easiest part though, because it’s always the best part of my day.

What’s one thing your fellow CFP’ers would be surprised to learn about you?

Most people are surprised to learn that I was born in Alaska. I went back for the first time a few years ago and worked for my uncle who owns a salmon fishery in Prince William Sound. I also used to hold the school record at John Marshall in triple jump.

What’s your favorite piece of advice you’ve gotten from a coach or member at CFP?

My favorite piece of advice from a member, Kelly French, is to “Embrace life and go big.” It’s a great reminder for me to chase my goals no matter how big or small. Life is too short to do anything else. A favorite piece of advice from a coach, coach Samida, is to not treat daily WODS like a competition, but rather focus on pushing myself in other ways whether that is form during lifts or picking a pace for a WOD and sticking with it throughout the workout, no matter how fast. I need a reminder sometimes to not compare myself to others, and that piece of advice really helps me when I need it.

How has your outlook on health/fitness changed since starting at Progression?

I had been looking for something else to add to my fitness routine besides running for a long time. CrossFit has been literally the perfect addition, and it’s become the main component of my fitness routine. Actually, to be honest, it’s become an addiction. I seriously love the ideas that CrossFit was founded on, and what it stands for. As someone who has worked in the PT field for a few years now, I love how the functional fitness of CrossFit can carry over to real-life aspects for people in all walks of life. I use many ideas I have learned through CrossFit in the PT clinic, and the clients I work with love them too! CrossFit is really an all-inclusive form of fitness that can be continued for life, and that is not always easily found in the fitness world.

What has been your fondest memory during your time at Progression?

These are hard questions, haha. I have so many great memories from my time at CFP so far. I loved participating in FNL last year, and I’ve competed in the Festivus Games twice now, which has fueled a little fire in me to continue competing. I can still vividly remember my very first workout at CFP and breaking off with other beginners with coach Nic and working on the snatch. One of my other favorite memories was attending my first 7:30pm class with coach Rob and the late night crew. We like to call ourselves The Closers. Those people are unforgettable, and I feel like memories are made daily with them. They are going to make moving to Winona next summer very very hard.

Why do you think you’ve stuck with Progression?

Undoubtedly, the fabulous coaches have kept me coming back. The knowledge, passion, and skill sets that every coach possesses are unparalleled. I’ve also stuck with Progression because of the numerous friendships I’ve gained, and my own goals that I am chasing. All of my experiences at CFP have been nothing but positive and inspirational. How could I not keep coming back for more?

What would be your one piece of advice for someone who’s just joining Progression?

I’m a believer in doing things that scare you. When I first started doing CrossFit at Progression I was scared and nervous, but you will never know if you enjoy something until you try it. I have never regretted starting my fitness journey at CFP. So I would say to just jump in, go big, and give it try. You’ll find nothing but support and encouragement.