Tell us about yourself!
Hey, I’m Breanne! I was born and raised in Hamilton, lived in Kitchener-Waterloo and Thailand and am now located in beautiful Dundas. I am a teacher with the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board and my current role is Junior/Intermediate Learning Resource Teacher. I am a coffee lover and my favourite treats are chocolate peanut butter ice cream, hot wood oven pizza and my Mom’s homemade pumpkin pie.
What got you into CrossFit?
After studying and working in Kitchener-Waterloo, I moved back to Hamilton for Teachers College. I had been doing group fitness classes in KW and needed something similar (strength and cardio.) A friend recommended Alchemy. Fast forward 8 years later and the gym is now my second home.
What do you like about Alchemy?
Short answer: everything. Alchemy is a community that I am so grateful to be a part of. The coaches are committed, caring, supportive and encouraging; they are with members throughout every workout. I often think of the Endurance loop and how Duncan and Craig always run with the class in solidarity. The coaches take the time to get to know the members, build relationships with them and provide programming that is unique to each person. They focus on functional fitness and form which really goes a long way in preventing injury. I used all my knowledge when I was in Sicily, Italy harvesting olives to make olive oil—remembering the form and technique when hoisting buckets of olives up onto my shoulders and carrying them reminded me of all the movements from CrossFit. I am so thankful for the friendships and relationships I have made at Alchemy. I’ve made some lifelong friends who support me and push me to be the best person I can be! In addition, the events that Alchemy host are like no other gym! The Fall Classic, Alchemy OPEN, and WODs For Wishes are some of my favourite things to get involved in year after year.
What are your CrossFit goals for the future?
I want to get stronger and better with gymnastics movements: the rope climb and handstands. Taking both feet off the ground at the same time and going upside down are challenges for me that I hope to overcome. I also hope to continue pushing more weight and hopefully get at Deadlift PR of 285lb and a back squat of 185lbs.
If you could design the perfect workout, what would it include?
I love workouts that have both a strength and cardio component and are physically/mentally challenging; I like feeling the push, the burn and the sweat! A workout that includes burpees, devils press, deadlifts, power cleans, db snatches or ab-y things are definitely my jam!!!!
What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in yourself since you started CrossFit?
Working out and being active have become my lifestyle. I enjoy working out every day and am able to see the positive benefits mentally, emotionally and physically. I plan my days, work and travel around some sort of workout or activity, as I feel “ready” to conquer anything once I have worked out. My confidence, mobility and strength have improved greatly and my mindset about my body image and rest days have shifted for the better. As a result, I challenge myself in ways I didn’t think were possible and I win battles against my own self-doubts.
When you’re not at the gym, what’s your favourite thing to do?
I love cycling (road/gravel bike), travelling and adventuring to new places, cafes and restaurants. During the pandemic I made a goal to improve my gardening/planting skills and I made a vegetable garden in my backyard.
What’s your favourite Hamilton restaurant?
This is a tough one as I am a foodie.
Weeknight Go-To: Bread Bar
Italian: Born and Raised
What has been your proudest moment at Alchemy?
There are a few worth mentioning:
- Transitioning from baby burpees to burpees.
- Snatch PR @ 95lbs
- Double Unders!
- Realizing my love for burpees (during the Home Workouts)
- My first Rx Workout!!!!