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Name and age: Anna O’Neal, 32

Member at: Farmgirlfit Coeur d’Alene

Occupation: Licensed Agent and Account Manager at Advanced Benefits

Tell us about how you came to Farmgirlfit: I had been doing Crossfit for about 1.5 years. I was looking for something a bit more. I felt as though I wasn’t getting enough “cardio” or enough of the extra motivation, challenges, community, at the current gym. My friend mentioned she had heard about FGF coming to CdA and the Founder’s Special. I went online, thought about it and asked my current Crossfit if I could get out of my contract early without a penalty. Unfortunately they said no, and I JUST barely missed out on the Founding 40 Members special. However, all the info I read about it, the testimonials, the workouts, the extra activities, I decided it was worth it. I paid the fee to cancel my old Crossfit and signed up at FGF without even doing one workout yet! After just one workout, I knew I had made the right decision, and I haven’t regretted it since.

What inspires you to be fit?

I’ve always been overweight in my teens and 20s. Over the past few years I’ve tried every diet and exercise program to be a better me. At this point, I want to inspire my friends and family through my journey, so that’s what keeps me going strong now. I want to do this the right way, and the healthy way, and show people that it can be done.

What has been your greatest fitness/performance accomplishment so far?

If we’re talking FGF, I discovered quickly that I’m a pretty decent rower. I had no idea I could actually row somewhat fast, and long, and that’s definitely something I want to continue to develop. Not counting FGF, I’ve done multiple sprint triathlons over the last few years and done the Long Bridge Swim in Sandpoint for many years as well.

What are your next health and fitness goals?

I want to be at Level 4 for all Grinds within the next year! That’s a lofty goal, but I’ve already grown so much in the last few months!

Favorite exercise at FGF is:  Well I love rowing — but I also actually really enjoy anything with kettlebells. It’s also very empowering to be able to do the Olympic lifts, I just feel like a beast sometimes!

Least favorite exercise at FGF is: Honestly, there’s nothing I won’t do at FGF, but I still cannot master a pull up! That’s so frustrating, so that’s also a goal for me to get this year. Also plate pushes are the worst!

My favorite thing about Farmgirlfit is: Gosh, where to start. I love the community we have. It’s what made me switch gyms and keeps me going every day. We have some amazing coaches and some awesome ladies I get to sweat with each week. We all push and encourage each other and you really couldn’t ask for more.

When the Grind is kicking my butt, I’m thinking… this is what I paid for! So I better make it worth the pain. The pain is just making me into a better person, inside and out!

When you're not pumping iron at FGF, what does the rest of your life look like?

Most days I spend with my awesome boyfriend Chris, and/or my family. Since I met Chris at Crossfit, we love to be active together and do all sorts of fun races like the Color Run, the Electric Run, etc. This also includes traveling, watching movies, hiking, going camping, floating the river, snowshoeing, church, having coffee with friends, or cooking. After doing the Whole30 recently, we’ve definitely ramped up our cooking trying new healthier recipes, and I gotta say, it’s really fun.

What advice do you have for new members?

It may be hard, you will sweat, you may cry or get frustrated, but it’s totally worth it. The satisfaction I have after completing each Grind makes up for all the hard times during. Also, take it easy on yourself, it may take some time to learn the movements, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get it right the first (or 40^th) time, and don’t be afraid to ask for help!