Melissa Shows

When did you start doing CrossFit?

I started CrossFit last November. I have never consistently worked out in my life. After being married for less than a year, I could see that I needed to make a change. My husband and my friend, Monica, helped push me to give CrossFit a shot.

What were you doing before Crossfit?

Before CrossFit, I was going to HotWorx periodically and Orange Theory once a week. I didn’t have a real routine, and I wasn’t pushing myself when I was at those classes.

Tell us something we might not know about you.

I am I absolutely love hot pickles! They’re kind of a big Dill…

What advice would you give someone just starting at Coyote?

Just carve out a specific class time you can go to and just keep showing up. Don’t worry what your score might be, just make sure you walk through the gym doors. We are all here at different levels and are trying to reach different goals. No one is judging you here.

I would also like to add that having a foam roller at your house for the first few months will save you!

Do you have any special memories/achievements during your time at Coyote?

Recently, I did a partner workout with Angie Chance. She and I had our workout scaled, as needed. We also divided the reps to help each other out. I did the running and Angie did more box step-ups. In the end, we were shocked at what our score was. It was nice to have that kind of teamwork.

Has CrossFit affected your life outside of the gym?

The biggest difference has been how easy this pregnancy has been. My doctor has been thrilled with my test results and how I’ve been able to stay so active. I’ve also noticed how much easier I can lift heavy objects and my endurance has increased.

Tell us a little about yourself (family, job, sports, interests, etc.)

I am a Trust Administrator at Regions Bank. My husband and I have been married for a year and a half, and I am currently 6 months pregnant with our first child. For fun, we like to cook and take the boat out. Most weekends revolve around us watching sports with friends and smoking meat.

What were your thoughts after your first WOD?

“Is this what hell feels like?” I just remember that I couldn’t run 200 meters without feeling like I was going to pass out. I can’t believe how much stronger I have gotten since then.

What were your goals when you joined Coyote?

I wanted to get stronger and lean out.

Have you achieved any of these goals?

Absolutely. I started seeing results rather quickly. Before I got pregnant, I had lost over 10lbs of body fat and I had gained around 5lbs of muscle mass.

What is your favorite cheat meal?

The majority of my diet! (Just kidding) No, I eat everything in moderation. I’m a burger, with a bun, kind-of-girl, so I use MyFitnessPal to track what I eat to not go overboard. In my opinion, there’s nothing better in this world than a scoop of Blue Bell ice cream on top of apple pie.