S06E130 BISON 15 - The Spirit Of Everyday CrossFit - Ella Kinney
@botoxandburpeespodcast Host Sam Rhee sits with Ella Kinney @ekinney95, a longtime CrossFit Bison @crossfitbison athlete and the inaugural Steve Rice Spirit Award winner, to unpack how she went from “hard pass” on barbells to seven years of steady progress. We talk about building strength after 50, staying positive without taking yourself too seriously, and why the people around you can be the best reason to keep showing up.
• running, triathlons, and the search for a new challenge
• first CrossFit classes and the moment community clicked
• learning pull-ups and push-ups through patience and standards
• using Open Gym to manage schedule, rest, and consistency
• making friends through Saturday partner workouts and post-class hangs
• staying strong through menopause, aging, and long-term health goals
• why competitions and the CrossFit Open create motivation and “open magic”
• cheering culture, supporting others, and finding joy in the grind
#crossfitcoach #CrossFitCommunity @CrossFitAffiliates #supportyourlocalbox #crossfitaffiliate #gymowner #HealthyLiving #GymLife #CrossFit #FitnessJourney #BotoxAndBurpees #podcast @botoxandburpeespodcast @crossfitbison @crossfit
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TRANSCRIPT
Sam Rhee (00:01.164)
Welcome to another episode of Botox and Burpees, The Bison 15. I have with me someone I've known for a long time at the gym. She's been at CrossFit Bison for seven years. This is Ella Kinney. She has been a stalwart. She has been probably one of the most I would say supportive athletes that we have at the gym. last year she won the inaugural Steve Rice Spirit Award.
Steve Rice was a member at our gym for a long time. He tragically passed away from a sudden health condition a couple years ago. And that was very tragic. He was also someone I knew pretty well. I had worked out with him, had done com competitions with him. So for for Ella to win that award just sort of demonstrates how all of us at the gym feel about Ella, about her
positivity, her attitude, her spirit, you know, as as the award that she won. Just just everything about her, her aura. I guess nowadays the young kids would say aura, right? So yeah, you you you're aura maxing these days. So anyway, thank you so much, Ella, for joining me today. Okay, so why don't I really appreciate it. Now go ahead and st I wanna hear how you started. you have had such a
Ella (01:13.562)
Laura, maybe or my vibe. I don't know.
Ella (01:20.602)
You're welcome. Thanks. Thanks for having me, Sam, really.
Sam Rhee (01:31.5)
very positive, can do, try hard attitude, but also a very light and not like, you know, down or s overly serious attitude towards your fitness. So so where did you get that from? Tell me how you got started in terms of your fitnessing.
Ella (01:44.259)
Yeah.
Ella (01:48.963)
Fitnessing, you know, always did stuff, you know, sports as a kid, high school and college. And then after college, running was the easiest and cheapest thing to do. And it was just what I was comfortable with. go ahead. high school, like gymnastics and track, and then a college a track athlete as well. So long jump and triple jump. I I didn't run in college. I was smart. I stuck with the field events.
Sam Rhee (02:01.206)
What what did you do in high school and college s sports wise?
Sam Rhee (02:09.878)
what'd you run? wow.
Ella (02:16.544)
And I just did triple jump and long jump in in in in college. So yeah, so yeah, and that was a lot of fun. You know, those those those girls are still, you know, my teammates are still some of my best friends today. So, you know, it's you just like in a gym, you kinda sweat together, you suffer together. So yeah. and then like I said, and after college I just yeah, and then just ran. Like running was the easiest thing. A decent pair of sneakers and a good sports bra and a some road and that's like the easiest and cheapest thing to do.
Sam Rhee (02:20.888)
Okay.
Sam Rhee (02:37.432)
And then you said you got out of college. Yep.
Ella (02:46.505)
And I did that for years. and even when I had kids, I had a jogging stroller. I mean, John bought me a double jogging stroller at once. I think I used it once. It was just too much, too heavy, too many kids. and then in my when I was 40, I decided to try a traffon. So I did a few of those in my forties. And then by the end of my forties, I was 49 when I started a bison. and by the end I was running again, just doing a lot of running. And and I think I did like
Three half marathons in about a year and a half because I'd just been running so much and I just signed up for them spontaneously. and then I got started at Bison in 2019. John had actually started about the year before me, like a good 15 months before. And he would come home and say, my gosh, like I really think you'd like this. And I was like, no, thank you, no. Hard pass. Like, I don't know what it is. He said something about barbells and weights, and I was like, no, it's not for me. Thank you though.
but he would talk about the coaches and the great experience, and I was like, I don't understand what it is, I don't know what it is, and I'm not interested. And then Caitlin, my younger daughter, had she turned 16 that year and she had been done in some of the kids' classes with Terry and really, really liked it. And when she turned 16, she was like, I want to do, I wanna go to the real classes. And suddenly I'm like, my god, I'll totally go with you. This will be so fun. Like, because mother-daughter stuff. And we met Liz, who was wonderful and sunshine and welcoming.
And it was all fun and games until she put a barbell in front of me. And then I was a deer in the headlights. I really I don't remember I don't remember anything. We did our two beginner things and I don't remember anything. I do remember I was saying to Caitlin, I'm like, There was a guy, a guy came in the gym with a dog and the dog was like dog right by his side, walked around the gym and I remember Liz saying, yeah, he's a coach and I asked Caitlin about it and she's like, I think it was Adam Storms. I'm like, I don't remember. I just remember seeing the dog and being like, Will the dog come back? 'Cause that would be nice, because I was just in over my head with the barbell.
yeah, and it was just I know, I know. I was like, I don't really I again didn't really know what CrossFit was, but John had just talked about weights and barbells and you know, I was super conscious of you're so hyperaware as a woman, like how important weightlifting is as you age. But I and I tried to do it on my own. I just didn't think a class was for me. Like John and I had gone down the P90 X path a few years before. We were diligent about doing it like in our basement when we lived in Illinois and and it was good. It was it was important, but not so good about doing it by myself. And then and then we took our first class, Caitlin and I.
Ella (05:13.946)
And it was a Wednesday back when like it used to be like cardio and like more body weight stuff. And I don't remember. I don't remember anything about the workout. I have no idea what we did. I just remember being sprawled on the floor, catching my breath, wondering what had just happened. And Scottie Finan, sweet Scotty Finan came around with his I know this is gonna sound so ridiculous, but it just it changed everything for me.
he just came around with this post squad fist bump, right? Customary, you know, everyone in the class, good job. And I don't know what it was about that gesture, but it like spoke to me. I just thought, if that's what CrossFit is, if it's this camaraderie and community and like you made it, you want he didn't know me, he didn't know Caitlin. I was just some regular, you know, some woman and he just I just I'm like, if that's what I've whatever that is, I want more of that. And I started coming regularly.
And I can't remember of another kind of like a form of exercise or class that I was like, yeah, I can't wait to go back, even though it killed me. Even though, even though that whole summer I would go to a class and then still try to do my runs and just like totter around town on legs that were like jello and also felt like lead. I didn't know that was possible to happen simultaneously. But we kept coming back. And now John and I were doing this together and Caitlin was doing it, and it was so much fun. But and that's kind of
how I got started seven years ago. So haven't look back.
Sam Rhee (06:46.702)
Y you know it's so funny because I think all of us can obviously relate to that part of the community that speaks to us that makes CrossFit so appealing in terms of shared suffering and you know, really sort of pushing yourself. But as I've seen you over the past seven years, I would say you know you're not
I mean, none of us are people that are gonna go to the games and none of us are going to you know, most of us can't RX every workout. but you have continued to try to improve yourself on multiple levels, even though y you're basically one of us, an everyday CrossFitter who has, you know, non superhuman abilities. You know, we're not Annie Thorazader and we're not Matt Fraser, but you keep like
pushing yourself, you keep working on skills. I have not I've seen very few people work on skills the way you've worked on skills. What is it about you that like why are you doing that? Like why, why, why?
Ella (07:46.756)
Yeah.
Ella (07:56.282)
I don't know. I don't I don't know. you know, because you just keep thinking I it's gotta get better, you know, and there's that little bit of taste of you know, when I started, I couldn't do pull-ups or push-ups. And now like I remember getting my first pull up about six months later and I'm like, gosh, this is great. And you know, and I'm really proud of the push-ups and I I know I've talked about this with you before. I think of you when there are push-ups in a workout because I know how you feel about standards.
Sam Rhee (07:59.092)
Ha ha ha.
Sam Rhee (08:06.046)
Yeah.
Ella (08:24.683)
And I'm like, I fully expect you to say to me, those were the best three push-ups that I have ever seen. Because at least because I still can't do big sets. I sleep, but just I'm waiting for you, Stan, to be like, those are the best two or three push-ups I've ever seen in my life. But but I don't know. You just feel like there's only so much like I'm gonna improve. Like I'm not gonna suddenly put like 150 to 160 pounds over my head. It's just not gonna happen. But
Sam Rhee (08:39.126)
Ha ha ha.
Ella (08:54.477)
Why do I keep pushing? I don't know. It's fun. Like no more reason than it's just fun. I I took the I took the butterfly skills class with Liz and Adam back in the was that in the spring. And it was great just because I'm like, could I? And I I don't think I'm meant for butterfly pull up. I don't think my shoulders are meant for butterfly pull ups, but it was fun to just kind of understand like what the motion is and to think that maybe I can get a little better at it. But it's hard. I mean, that's the thing. It just you you
If you improve a level, then you know, the learning curve, like now your workouts are slower because you're doing a harder movement and it's like But it's just it's I honestly I find it fun. I mean, I'm not as I there's so many people that are so diligent about doing like extra accessory work and stuff. And I do try things, but I like I said, I just think it's fun. And I, you know, open gym is one of my favorite places when I'm not talking.
Sam Rhee (09:46.658)
Yeah, I've I've no I've noticed that. Like I will see your name on on the schedule for a workout that is scheduled maybe like two days in advance or three days in advance. And you already did it at Open Gym. Like you're someone who kind of works in a workout to try to get that done. I assume because of your schedule or because of how your time management is.
Ella (10:02.701)
Mm.
Ella (10:07.821)
Yeah.
Sam Rhee (10:12.826)
how does that work out for you? What do you what what do you why do you love Open Gym so much? What makes it like the time that you can get your workouts in?
Ella (10:21.803)
Well, I do I love open gym because like I'd when I tr when I try to do a workout of the week in Open Gym, it's because I've looked ahead and I'm thinking, I don't wanna miss it. I'll try to get it done. like this past week, I liked all five workouts look good and I'm like, I can't do five days in a row. I just can't. But if I can do a midweek workout on a Sunday, then I can take a rest day in the middle. So that's what I think. the one I did last week, I don't remember what it was. It's it's
It was okay. Like it's it's hard to get motivated on your own. And it was quiet. I mean, it was the middle of the summer. There's maybe six people in open gym. So it can be difficult to kind of get the same motivation, but at least I feel like I tried and still terrible at warming up by myself. Still absolutely t seven years of warm-ups and I can't remember a thing to do on my own of how I should warm up certain moves. But but as far as open I mean, I mean I kinda laugh when like the open season is my favorite because it is when I get to watch everyone else do the workouts.
That is really one of my favorite things about CrossFit is getting to watch other people do this stuff because it's incredible. And I cheering is cheering is my best sport. It's my best event. So
Sam Rhee (11:28.152)
I I wanna get to that because you are the you are the king of of when it comes to events and you know, big things that happen at the gym. Like you are probably one of the stalwarts for that. But last week was it the Tuesday workout? Was it the backs pause back squats or was it the twelve pull ups, six which one? The Okay. Yeah.
Ella (11:46.815)
Yeah. Yeah yeah. That's right. Pac pause back squats. It was the pause back squats and then it was
Sam Rhee (11:55.086)
Hang power clean, strict sit-ups, lunges. Yeah. And how did you f and so yeah, you're always at Open Gym, you're always smiling, you're always talking. and you have your crew now. You have people that you're you're close to, your your your your friends. And I know you guys are very active on like group chats and stuff like that. So how did you c get to know this group of your crew that you you hang out with now?
Ella (11:57.739)
Thank you. Yeah. Yeah.
Ella (12:25.596)
It's, you know, everyone was super friendly when I started, but it was a six AM and there's not a lot of chit chat, right? Like it was just they're in there, it's six AM, we're getting our work done. And Jen Martin, my friend and neighbor, one of a bison OG, she started dragging me to Saturday WADS, which I I have a complicated history with Saturday WADs. I feel like I must spend most of my time apologizing to my partner. So but she I can't help it. It's my just suspend I just apologize the entire time.
One time you partnered me with Adam Storms and I apologized to him the whole time. And then I went home and texted Britney and apologized to her for apologizing. Like it was just the whole thing. But Jen started dragging me to Saturday workouts. And she started taking me to Saturday workouts and you know, to to make friends. Like you're talking about stuff. And I can remember one specific Saturday, I don't remember when it was, but it was a beautiful Saturday morning. And then I was sitting with Jen and Susan and Kathy outside of the gym, just outside the gym on a Saturday, and we were talking about
not CrossFit stuff. And that's when I felt like, my gosh, like I've I've made friends. Like I, you know, like this is when you kind of you've expanded the walls of the gym. And it's not just about like that one thing that brought you together, but now you're just talking about your regular life and I've made friends. So that is how that and and I do I like I remember what it's like to be new. I think we we you've talked about that with other people about how you try to say hi and say hello and check in on them and see how they're doing. Because it's it's daunting. It's daunting. Even if you're an experienced CrossFitter, going anywhere new I think would be
especially in these group classes, these big group classes, like it's a little overwhelming. But so that's when I feel like I started to kind of make friends. Just a few months in again, that was just because Jen would drag me to these par partner workouts. And there's a little bit more time after especially if you go to the 815, there's time to hang out out afterwards and and just chat. And even those those pandemic workouts in the parking lot, like we were all stuck outside on blacktop next to a metal building in the middle of the day, like doing these workouts. It was
Like you said something about the shared trauma, right? Like that's there's something to be said about that. Like it it bonds you. and yeah.
Sam Rhee (14:33.432)
Why do you think women I I mean and I don't wanna stereotype, but I have to say I'll go out on a limb and say that when I see the women hanging out and talking at the gym, they're way more social, they're way more I don't want to say talky, but than the guys are like in terms of like when guys get together at at Bison, it's usually for like a very specific event, like we do the golf thing or whatever.
Ella (14:40.775)
All right.
Ella (14:50.246)
Okay.
Ella (14:59.471)
Right. Right. Right.
Sam Rhee (15:01.738)
And and women have specific events too, like, you know, Katie had her her event, but you guys will often just like hang out and get to dinner together or do that. And you guys also share a lot about like non-crossfit things like your family or what you're going through or or all sorts of other things. Why is it that do you think women are so adept at that? And and what can guys learn from that?
Ella (15:05.435)
Yeah.
Ella (15:10.896)
Hmm. Yeah.
Ella (15:27.258)
Hmm. I don't know. I honestly don't know. I personally might be an overshare, so maybe that's why I tend to just automatically talk to text my friends about anything. And I think that we all have that, like, you know, just a a little moment of just you know, something to laugh about. I don't know. What if I I honestly couldn't speak to why guys are are or are not like that.
Sam Rhee (15:38.792)
Ha ha
Ella (15:54.99)
I think that there's some definitely some bonding going on with the guys. You know what I mean? It's great to see. Like, maybe not in the gym as much, or maybe they're talking about other things, but why do we talk about I I don't know. I I'm just a chatty Kathy. you know, I'm an introvert to start and then once I know ya I you're not gonna you can't stop. I can't stop. I mean, John has left the room. He's left the building and he's waiting for me and you know, and I tell him to take a separate car because I know I'm gonna be talking. So it is what it is.
Sam Rhee (15:58.968)
Sure.
Sam Rhee (16:21.688)
You know, that's so funny. Have you always been that way? Have you always been that social person that has connected with people always?
Ella (16:31.101)
y you know, I don't it's probably been more learned. I am a d a real introvert in a new situation. Like I am uncomfortable. I I really am. Walking into a room full of people, it makes me nervous. Like I just don't like it. So I realize that sort of coping mesm is to find someone that I can say hello to and talk about whatever and now I don't feel as alone, I don't feel as awkward and and you know, my father was a tremendous extrovert.
Like he just could walk into a room and like the room lit up. And it was but my brother and I were both just much more introverts. I mean my you guys would have loved my brother. He was a big guy like you guys, but also he actually was quiet. Like he did not talk until you talk to him and then he was cool. You know, but it was just and I just talk because maybe it's a little bit of nerves. So, you know, but I once I'm comfortable, like, yeah.
Sam Rhee (17:24.152)
So let me ask you this. you have been CrossFitting for seven years. What is your what do you do it for? Is it because you wanna make sure your body l looks good? Is it because you are doing it strictly for health and you wanna maintain that health? Are you are you looking for anything in particular when you're when you're doing it? Like what what are you thinking about when w about the why?
Ella (17:48.867)
I wanna be strong. Like I, you know, I'm fifty-six and you know, as you age and menopause, perimause, menopause, and menopause, like osteoporosis, bone density loss and and just overall vitality and metabolism, like it's important. and I am stronger now than I was as a college athlete in you know, nineteen, twenty years old. and it's great. Like I I hope that I can keep doing this.
Sam Rhee (17:58.574)
Mm-hmm.
Sam Rhee (18:13.794)
Mm-hmm.
Ella (18:16.394)
Looking better, yeah. I that does not hurt. That surely does not hurt. but definitely just to try to st stay strong. you know, like we've had some conversations, John and I, about like retirement or what the future's gonna look like and how as our kids get older and I wanna be an active person. I wanna be an active person well as as long as we can. And if my kids have kids, like I wanna be able to do stuff with them. But I mean that's like long term, but for sure I wanna be
as strong as I can be reasonably, you know, and stay healthy, which is gets to be the kicker as you get older. So like John
Sam Rhee (18:56.546)
What do you do about nutrition and how do you do how do you manage that?
Ella (19:01.729)
I I grew up in a house that was pretty you know, my parents were both born and raised in Italy, so a lot of the Mediterranean diet. So they had very I had very good examples in that. My father exercised every day in some form. My mom was a big walker. so I didn't really think about I didn't really think about nutrition as much because it was you know, a lot of beans and lentils and woo and whatever. not a ton of pasta, believe it or not, because my mom didn't like pasta, which I didn't know until she was older.
As I've gotten older, it does become more of a thing. you know, reset kind of helped me and John kind of figure out some ways. He started doing he did whole 30 once and it was an interesting challenge of like 30 days of, you know, six or seven things that you're not supposed to have that are supposed to the the things that most inflame your gut. So it was kind of a learning lesson. and I had Kelly Cavan do my macros a couple of years ago to see where I was, you know.
maybe had some weaknesses because I just felt like the weight I felt like menopause got hit all at once. I gained five pounds at the beginning of the month and the next month I gained another five pounds. And there had been some stressors that month my mom had passed. So I was like, all right, 10 pounds. That's that's a lot. But I'm sure it's just stress. I was eating chocolate for a week. It was a lot. I'm sure it'll be fine. You know, and then I got back to normal and I literally lost a pound and a half. And I'm like, all right, well I guess this is my new weight now.
So I just kinda being like, all right, what do I need to fine tune? Like really, like cookies and you know, sugar are definitely a I like them. So so I
So I have to be a little bit more mindful of them. And my father always talked about like everything in moderation. So I do try to do that. Like I try to have a realistic attitude. But then sometimes I just can't, you cannot put a bowl of potato chips and sour cream and onion dip in front of me. I I can't. I can't. I have no control. So I try not to just have it. I'm making some later for my barbecue that my my sister-in-law is coming over. And I will try to be reasonable, but I can't, I can't always. But you know, it's it is, it's hard. And you try to, I think, I think that kids.
Ella (21:09.598)
I mean, we have kids the same age, and I think they know so much more about it than we did at their age. Like whether it's because of of the internet or whatever or Instagram and TikTok, whatever. But I feel like they're so much more informed. In college, I don't know. I ate whatever I wanted. I wouldn't eat for hours before practice. And I have occasionally passed out on the side of the track during practice because I didn't have enough energy and it wasn't to after college that I was like, I need food before I work out. Like I'm not one of those people that can't.
I have to have something to eat before I work out. Even if it's just a banana. Like I one morning we were doing something and I realized in the middle of the warm up that I didn't eat my banana. So I made Bobby look through my bag to see if I had anything while I was warming up at the ring. Because I needed to eat something. I have to have something. Yeah.
Sam Rhee (21:51.598)
That is such an Ella That is such an Ella story. Like yeah, I heard that if someone told me that I'd be like, Yeah, that sounds like Ella Kinney i i in a nutshell right there.
Ella (21:59.494)
Yeah. And he was a totally good sport about it. He went over and bagged, he's like, you got a cliff for him. Like, throw it. I can, you know. Cause I just like so yeah. So so you do learn a lot about nutrition. What and as you age it it does change. You can't eat what you used to be able to eat. I don't know how Nick is. Nick and Jack are the same age. And Jack has been he's really been into cooking. but I'm trying to explain to him why you you can't have steak three times a week, kid. You just can't.
And he's like, Why? I'm like, You're gonna kill your father and me, like it just doesn't work. I'm like, You can eat it at nineteen. well, I don't wanna talk about that. Yeah, yeah. But I w yeah.
Sam Rhee (22:28.494)
I mean
I mean RFK Junior might feel otherwise, but yes, I I get it. I'm just saying. I get it. I get it. I get it. Well, let me ask you this then. I know you had been cutting back a little bit because of injury or or injury so talk a little bit about, you know, as CrossFitters, we all I mean, anyone in any endeavor athletically will always encounter some sort of injury if you're if you're pushing yourself
Ella (22:46.949)
Mm.
Sam Rhee (22:59.328)
So t talk a little bit about your injury history and how you deal with injuries in general.
Ella (23:05.311)
been fairly lucky. a couple of summers ago, I really did a number on my shoulder. You know, for a while I that was con there was a concern that was a tear in my rotator cuff. I was working on like overhead squats and snatches, and I just have terrible shoulder mobility and I just really tweaked it really bad that whole summer. So I mean it was really, really painful. And I had to back off on workouts. I had to scale and
It was probably one of the most freeing summers. I was like, this is great. I mean, this these workouts are not as hard. Like I can just no matter I'll run and I'll just not do the weights. This is awesome. Is this what it feels like to finish first in a workout? Like for the one time that I did it. But it was it is but it's but that was and that was a long summer. And then I avoided like overhead stuff for a long time until this past year. but I did do the PT, I did the rehab, and I have I you know little aches and pains and this this past spring I had a very weird
I had a I got a floater in my eye, which was a normal thing. But then on examination, it turned out that I had a tear and a hole in my retina that had to be quaterized. Yeah, yeah. It was weird. It was just a strange thing. Again, that damn partner workout. I was there and and suddenly this floater came. but when I went to a retina specialist, she's like, That's normal, but I do see this other thing. I can cauterize it right now. Great. So uncomfortable. She literally just took a laser like point blank and just cauterized it. And then I'm like this going.
All right, well, well, can I exercise? And she was like, no, you can't do anything, no nothing jarring, quote, literally, no running, jumping, or heavy lifting for close to a month. I know, and I was supposed to do high rocks with Tom Callahan, who was a sport about when I was like, I can't do it. But that was tough to come into classes and be like, I don't know if I I can't I I can't do any jumping. I can't run. All right, I'll get on the bike. I think that.
Like what is she's no hell no no heavy lifting. I'm like, all right, well, how light is light? Like, am I gonna blow my eyeball again? Like it was a very tenuous time, but you know, you want to come because you want to do something. And I think everyone who's been injured has felt that. Like you you wanna come because the coaches are always so encouraging about we'll find a way, we'll find something for you to do. But it can be really frustrating. It was a long summer. It was a long summer, it was a long few weeks. So totally. Yeah.
Sam Rhee (25:19.8)
Well, I hope you're okay now and and yeah, okay, good. And yes, I have seen a lot of athletes who have gone through stuff. I can think of two or three right off the top of my head in the morning who go in the back, they bike for a while, like it's it's very frustrating. I've been that person on occasion where I'm watching the whole class work out and I'll although I will say it is very instructive when you're in the back watching everyone 'cause usually when you're in a class you're very focused on doing your workout.
But when you're sitting there watching all these other people work out, you get you learn a lot. I mean, you learn a lot about people and you also learn a lot about like, you know, how much you also want to get back into it as well. So yeah, I mean, that's tough. well I'm glad that you've been pretty lucky about that. So you Right, right, right, right. Same for me.
Ella (26:00.268)
Yeah. Yeah.
Ella (26:06.505)
No you know, knock on wood. Don't say it. Okay. Knock on wood. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Sam Rhee (26:12.222)
So you've put yourself in competitions. like you said, you you signed up for Hyrux, you've done I've seen you do other competitions. What is it about competitions that why why do you sign up for them? Why do you do them?
Ella (26:17.568)
Yeah. Yeah.
Ella (26:25.03)
you know, first time was a few years ago, Tom Callahan was looking for a partner and he could not ask for a better partner. He's a terrific athlete and he's incredibly supportive and he's just very chill. So we did the 908 comp a couple times, and then we had done the Shrewsbury one the first time. and then I happened to ask about Hyrocks. He said, you know, you want to do it? I was like, okay. Because, you know, I did. and I think that even when I was just doing nothing but running,
It's good to sign up for a race because you are doing all this train what are you doing all this training for? Running is boring, right? So to kind of have something to shoot for and to do different kinds of workouts like intervals and sprints and tempo runs to go to the starting line and to see what you can do. similar to CrossFit, although I don't know how much more competing I have. I think the open is gonna be enough.
And I did sign up for the fittest of the coast quad just because if someone says you should sign up for it, because we're all gonna do it anyway. I'm like, all right, you know, no skin off my nose, we're gonna do the classes anyway. But it it is kind of fun to see, you know, you guys talk about open magic, we've all seen it, you know, and it did there's something to be said. Although the second someone is standing in front of me with a clipboard, like the nerves, like I don't know why, I still just get really, really nervous about it. Like it doesn't matter, even just in class, it's just but
That's a g that's not a bad thing. It's just how I am. So yeah, it can be exciting and and really I really admire these people that are just doing all these comps on a regular basis. It's a lot. Like it's a lot to train for, it's a lot to stay in shape for and also just have the drive and the grit and the, you know, the get after it kind of n'est. So I admire it. And again, I love to watch it. I like watching it. Yeah.
Sam Rhee (28:06.06)
Yeah, I'm I have to say you are probably one of the best like if I wanna if we needed or w if I wanted anyone you know, well, to to be a you know, to support, to cheer, to to help with any sort of event, like you have been that that person. I c I think probably in the top three at the gym in terms of people that have been so supportive of others. And
Ella (28:11.06)
Hotters.
Sam Rhee (28:32.608)
Is that just because you enjoy watching people suffer? Is that what it is?
Ella (28:40.541)
I don't. I don't enjoy watching people suffer, but I feel like and I know, you know, we you and I I think both are the ones that don't want people to cheer for us when we are the last ones to
Sam Rhee (28:43.048)
yeah.
Sam Rhee (28:52.6)
Yes. Yes.
Ella (28:55.783)
So it is kind of ironic that I'm like, Come on, do it, pick it up. Ten seconds left. You got it. 'cause everyone's different. But I just feel like I mean, I'll stop in the middle of my own workout and look around and be like, good job, good you know, because I need a chance to catch my breath. And it has been s yeah. But no, I don't want to see anyone suffer, but I I'm continually impressed that there are just the mindset of they can just keep driving when it is exhausting and you know
I'm thinking I would I'm I would quit. Like if you weren't standing here watching me, I would definitely probably quit. So I feel like maybe there's something to be said for you're even if you're not doing it for self, you're doing it because someone else is telling you to push and or just you know, or maybe you're it just motivates you to you because inside you're screaming, please stop looking at me. Please stop looking at me. It's the clock. Please stop.
So there is just
Sam Rhee (29:43.598)
That you are the most that's why you are the best person on the side because you are the most entertaining yet positive and not negative person that that that could be there for somebody. So that that is awesome. I've seen that.
Ella (29:56.049)
Hm.
Ella (30:00.934)
I can be a hundred percent happy for you working out while I am complaining miserably about my own workout. Like, you know, I'm not a quitter, I'll do it, but I'm gonna complain about it the whole time. But yeah, so
Sam Rhee (30:10.808)
So So what are your goals in the future now, Ella? Like what are you shooting for? What is it that you have planned for yourself? Do you have do they dovetail with your r retirement type plans or anything else at this point?
Ella (30:27.693)
I don't know. I, you know, John loves to have these conversations and I am definitely like a head in the sand, kind of like I'm not ready to talk about it 'cause he's thinking like, do we downsize? You know, and I'm thinking we still have a kid in college, like I'm not ready to go anywhere. but we are you know, that much closer to sixty and to thinking of retirement and what that's gonna look like and trying to be sensible about it and make long term plans. my plans for now are just to stay healthy.
Sam Rhee (30:40.546)
Mm-hmm.
Sam Rhee (30:51.128)
Mm-hmm.
Ella (30:56.974)
Right, to keep exercising. and just to kind of support my kids who are kind of all over the place right now, and to see where they're gonna land and how I can kind of be around for them. that's all I got right now. That's really all I got. so nothing too deep, nothing too deep right now. But yeah, just trying to just kind of see what the next few years bring and just try to be mindful about long term health.
You know, my parents are both passed, John's dad is passed, and so, you know, we have his mom and we're she's in great shape, but you know, it just kinda puts you in the mind of what can we do to prepare ourselves and to take a burden off of our kids and that kind of thing, just like long term planning. So we're starting to kinda think of that, but nothing specific yet, 'cause I'm still not ready to talk about it. So so still not ready to talk about it. So
Sam Rhee (31:48.11)
Okay. Now that you look back so far, seven years in, is there anything you would have done differently or started differently or in mid you know, in the middle of what you were doing do differently in terms of your athlete you know, fitness career or what you've done?
Ella (32:08.874)
no, I don't I I think everything happened as it happened. you know, like I said, John started the year before me and we have both loved it so much. It is definitely just but you know, he talks about like, can you imagine if we found this in our twenties? And all I can think is I would be so injured by now after there I can't I we would both be so broken if we had done this. But there is that sense of like you look at these twenties and thirty year olds and even these like the forty year olds at the gym who are just it's amazing. Like
Sam Rhee (32:16.535)
Uh-huh.
Ella (32:37.516)
What would it have been like if we'd started younger? But I I think it's okay. I'm okay. I like where I am. I I you know, it's good. It's all good. Where happened the way it happened.
Sam Rhee (32:47.662)
You have such a good perspective on everything, Ella. And I think the reason why you have such a great group of friends is because one, you're very entertaining, you're very funny, and you're also very self deprecating, which you know, you don't take yourself too seriously, although you are very focused on what you do. Does that make sense? Like you're somebody who who really concentrates on what they do, but you don't sit there and puff it up like it's something like, you know.
Ella (33:09.931)
Yes.
Sam Rhee (33:17.58)
You you you you are a main character in at the gym, but you don't give off main character energy if that makes sense. So so so Yeah.
Ella (33:24.045)
Thank you, I think.
Okay. well thank you, I guess. I I do I do I listen, I do enjoy it and I just I it's a great I love, you know, again, we talked about community and what you guys have done there and I I love being part of it. It is I hate to use that phrase, but it is a happy place and it's such good people there and I have made such good friends and yeah.
But I mean, I'm not you know, like I said, I'm not going to the games. Like I'm I'm I'm gonna complain about a workout and be scared of it and just I mean, poor Dave, 'cause I'm always like, That was terrible. How could you do you know, that was awful, how could you do that?
Sam Rhee (34:04.214)
I love that. And I think that that no matter how many years we're into it, I feel the same way. I feel the same way before a workout, I feel the same way after a workout. And I feel like if we ever lose that s sense of holy cow, that was effing awful. Like then we have somehow l lost the ability to crossfit, probably. So yes. So keep keep doing what you're doing, Ella. Yes, keep keep telling Dave
Ella (34:22.421)
Yeah.
Ella (34:27.027)
yeah, all right. Yeah, share shared trauma. Thanks, Sam.
Sam Rhee (34:33.579)
How terrible those workouts are. I I I thoroughly enjoy when he gets that feedback all the time.
Ella (34:37.995)
Yeah, poor poor it's not his fault. He's yeah.
Sam Rhee (34:42.868)
Anyway, thank you s thank you so much, Ella, for sharing your story a little bit. and I'm going to be very interested. I wanna sorta check back with you and John in a co in in a couple of years and see like where you guys because like I said, I have a feeling like you are at the cusp, you have kids and you know, now all finally in college or beyond and you know, I I wanna see that next stage for for a CrossFitter who's been around for that long and and see what they do after that. So
Ella (34:48.405)
Thanks, Sam.
Ella (35:09.983)
Yeah. Well we keep saying if we could just hang on long enough, maybe we'll start winning our eight we could just hang on long enough, you know, not gonna happen. But yeah.
Sam Rhee (35:15.482)
That's right. I'm I'm waiting for the new ninety plus division and I think I'll I'll I'll be there. I'll be ready. I've seen the seventy plus and they blow me away. And we have a couple s and we have seventy plus guys, you know, Ron and and Bob Senior and these guys blow me away every day as well. So and so yeah, absolutely.
Ella (35:25.098)
They're amazing. These w these people are amazing. They're amazing. So Yeah. It's incredible.
Ella (35:35.899)
Yep. Yep. Yep. wait yeah, for sure. It's good to look forward to. It's good to know that it's it's possible. You know, like it's it's a great yeah. So nah. Thank you so much, Sam.
Sam Rhee (35:44.982)
I can't I I can't wait. So anyway. Thank you so much, Ella. I will see you at the gym very soon.
Ella (35:52.393)
All right. Have a good one. Thank you so much again. Appreciate it.
