We are starting a quarterly spotlight where we highlight a CrossFit 858 athlete.
We choose this athlete based on a mixture of several criteria:
- Overall results obtained at CrossFit 858
- Positive attitude and demeanor
- Athlete community engagement
Our first CrossFit 858 Athlete of the Quarter is….
PRISCILLA ZERBINI!
Priscilla has been a huge inspiration from the first moment she walked in. Day after day, she comes in and puts 100% effort into the workouts and she does it with a giant smile on her face (unless there are burpees). Please join me in congratulating Priscilla!
Here are some questions and a video featuring Priscilla:
Give us a brief background of yourself!
I have been in sports all my life from soccer to basketball to a shot put and discus thrower. I love the competition aspect of sports. I have always been bigger and alot of times I felt the need to prove my worthiness to others because of it. The saying “yea I’m big but I can still do this” was a saying I had made time and time again.
Why CrossFit 858/What brought you to 858?
I moved to San Diego in August of last year from Pittsburg in Northern California. I had tried a crossfit gym up there and, although I wasn’t super excited about it then, I decided to give it another try here. I live about 2 minutes from the Mission Gorge location and right off the bat I loved it. The coaches were amazing and the members are very welcoming. In January the gym had gotten flooded out and a couple of people, including me, came and helped mark clean up the gym very late into the night. Among those people was Alex Diaz. He is a member at the Miramar location and we became fast friends. He convinced me to come up to Miramar so I finally did. Coming to Miramar was one the best decisions I have made in a long time and I owe that all to Alex. I have formed some amazing friendships and a family within a very short period of time that I am very grateful for!
How long have you been with CrossFit 858 and what results have you seen?
I have been with CrossFit 858 since October of 2015. I have seen so much improvements. To how I squat and to how I think, and even more, I have seen a change in my body. Since I have started at CrossFit 858 I have lost a total of 35 pounds with no intention of stopping. I have become so much more healthier in the way I eat, and in the way I think! I have seen my strength almost triple in my lifts and in my mentality and I couldn’t be happier.
What has been your best experience here so far?
The best experience for me hands down was in the open. 16.5 was one of the hardest workouts I have ever done. There were plenty of times that I just wanted to give up and go home but all the support I had was beyond amazing! I was the last in that heat still completing the WOD which meant I had the whole gym (50+ plus people) cheering me on. About 30 minutes in I looked at mark and said “I’m sorry”. I was taking way too long to finish and there were more heats after me. Mark then came up to me and said “there is nothing to be sorry about, you are an inspiration!”. It was amazing to hear that from him and once I finished I had so many people telling me how proud they were of me and it took me by surprise. I ended up crying with joy from all the support I was getting. It was an unbelievable feeling!
What has been the hardest adjustment?
The hardest adjustment for me was pacing myself. I wanted to go harder than my body should and it resulted in some major pain in my back and in my knee. I wanted to be the best I can be right out of the gate and pushed myself too hard in the beginning.
Tell us about a goal you have?
One goal that I have had for as long as I can remember is to run a mile without stopping. I have never been a runner but one day with me becoming stronger I hope to change that!
Biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment is me still being involved in CrossFit. I have NEVER been a dedicated person, someone to ALWAYS quit what I started. I have surprised myself time and time again with how much time and effort I put into my training. I have finally become a person with a goal and a passion to become better. I have finally become someone I am proud of and that was one thing I always fell short of. Me a year ago lacked dedication and endurance, And most importantly, Me a year ago lacked Self confidence. I now walk into the gym excited to see how far I can push myself and how much more I can complete!
What would you suggest to a new CrossFitter?
What I’d suggest to a new CrossFitter is to always show up! even if you are just stretching out, this community will change your life because it has defiantly changed mine! Also, never took at a WOD and think “well I cant do any of that! I will go tomorrow”. Scaling is a wonderful thing and even if you have to scale everything its ok! one day you wont have to and then you will appreciate it even more!