When did you start CrossFit?
July 2010. My husband , Mitch, started CF with the L.C.P.D. Swat team, and he knew I'd love it. He convinced me to come watch a WOD one Friday. By Monday I was doing my fundamentals. It was everything I could do to keep from screaming at people (rooting them on) during their workout (that Friday) ....I knew I was hooked! I mean, who thinks to YELL at a room full of SWAT officers?? Lol. That's when I knew CrossFit was different.

Were you exercising before CF? If so, tell us about your typical workout.
Yes. I was doing the typical gym workout...30-45min of cardio then weights 5x week or so....BORING! Lol!
I was spending 2hrs+ a day at the gym and probably hadn't made any headway in 2yrs or so. I became content with that because heaven forbid I go up in the gym and start dead lifting or doing cleans! People look at you like your crazy! Or some man would want to come up and critique my lift. I'm all about being coached and critiqued, but not from someone who hasn't done those lifts since their "high school glory days." Haha! You know what I mean??

What was your very first CF workout?
I really don't remember...but I DO know that I did the McGee challenge somewhere in my 1st month...

Describe that experience in three words.
This is hard. Killer! Awesome! Definitely memorable! (not to mention the dreadful part of having to do it AGAIN in 8 weeks! Lol) I hadn't been challenged like that in a looong time! Okay...that's more than 3 words, huh?! Sorry

What is your favorite CF exercise?
Hummm...I like a lot of things actually. Pull ups are probably one exercise I don't mind doing. However, I do like me some dead lifts too!

Your least favorite?
BURPEES,!! This one is easy! Haha.

What results have you seen since starting your CrossFit journey?
I'm stronger all around! Mentally, physically, and spiritually believe it or not! There's many times when I'm running during a wod and praying, "Dear God, please get me through this!" Haha! Crossfit is empowering. Even if I "fail"at something I still walk out of the box feeling like a winner. I mean, "Our warmup IS most people's workout" right?!"


What CF accomplishment are you currently most proud of?
Doing a MUSCLE UP! It's something I've wanted to do since day one. There's something to be said for an exercise that makes you nervous just THINKING about doing it. It's such a mental commitment for me to even attempt one on any given day. There was NOTHING I ever did at the ole GiGis that challenged me like that.

What CF goal are you working towards?
I'm currently working on not getting hacked off while doing double unders. I know that sounds foolish, but there's nothing more frustrating than giving my all on something and still not being able to do it! However, the angrier I get, the worse i am at doing them! Haha! NOT A GOOD COMBO!

What do you like most about CrossFit Lake Charles?
I absolutely love that when I turn onto Broad street, a year and a half later, I still start to bite my nails! I'm naturally competitive, even with myself, and "not finishing a workout" or "missing a rep" is never a choice for me...but we all know that's impossible to not do in CrossFit sometimes! That's what keeps me coming back. There's ALWAYS something new to try or a harder way to do things, and I never get bored!

Favorite color? Red

Favorite food? I LOVE sweets! They'll be the death of me one day

Favorite quote?
"Can't never could" and "God helps those who help themselves"

On a side note, I just want to say thanks again for this honor! Ashley and John, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time invested here at CFLC. I say it all the time, and I'll say it again, I'll never join another "regular" gym again as long as CF is an option! Y'all gotta good thing going....and I'm so thankful for it

A note from the CFLC Coaches on Danielle.....

" I remember seeing Danielle at the McNeese gym. I'd be doing my own thing with my headphones on and she and Mitch would be heaving things around. I never talked to her and I stayed out of her way, but I admired another woman working out on the "men's side." I looked up to her and, even though she had no clue, she and what she did there often inspired my workouts. Now, years down the road, I have the pleasure of both coaching her and working out beside her. I know everyone in this box agrees that Danielle deserves this recognition. Since day one she has given her all. Never a negative day, never giving up. We all watched her in amazement as she worked up to, and then through, Finleys birth. And still smoked us! I'll never forget her face the day she went into labor. She was WOD'n, of course, and it was the only time I've ever saw the slightest hesitation from her. I looked at her and said 'your having that baby tonight.' My favorite characteristic of Danielles is her modesty. After she'd done with her Rx'd WOD, there's no time for basking in one's glory. She'll be right beside somebody else; egging them on, helping them through. And them she's surprised when you tell her how well she did. Thank you for the smiles and enthusiasm each and every day, Danielle, you are wonderful and CrossFit family!" ~ Ashley


"I loved it when Danielle came in, saw what was happening and I knew by the look on her face that she had found a gym she could call home, finally a place where she could challenge herself again and work as hard as she wanted to. She was all about "going for it" from her first baseline through her pregnancy til now. I love the example she sets for everyone but especially our female athletes, she is proof you can be strong and feminine and humble. Danielle is easy to coach and like Ashley said, quicker to help someone when she is done, which says alot about who she is not just what she does. Part of the fun, when she was pregnant for Finley, was watching all the guys come in to see it they had a shot at beating her time that day. I must say none of them came close until maybe 8 months into her pregnancy and that was only because she was smart enough to scale back on certain wods that may have been questionable for an 8 month pregnancy. We definitely weren't responsible for Danielles skills coming in but it has been a joy to watch her develop them even further. I can only imagine what the future holds for her but it will be fun to watch! Congratulations Danielle you deserve every bit of the rewards you get because you do the work day in and day out!" ~ John


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