Blog
17
Posted September 6, 2011 in Blog, Member Profiles by Turbo

August 2011 Member of the Month: Erika Wilzer

Erika at Jeff's Wedding last weekend & before CrossFit

The CFW member of the month for August 2011 is Erika “Wipeout” Wilzer.  Erika has been with us since the River City CrossFit days and she can’t know how much she  means to me and to our little community.  First, she is an amazing role model and spokesperson for how CrossFit can change lives.  We all know people who have struggled with fad diets and trendy exercise plans, never really achieving any level of sustainable fitness or long term health and I think Erika used to be in that predicament.  She is a perfect example of someone who has found real empowerment through physical culture.  Not just physical empowerment, but the kind of confidence you can take with you through all aspects of life.  The words “I can” are very powerful.  If you get the chance to talk to Erika about her journey, don’t hesitate to do so.  She can tell you how she felt when she started CrossFit, how she struggled to get through a 400M run without slowing to a walk, how she went from counting calories and points to almost effortlessly maintaining a size 4.    She can also tell you about how she got her nickname and how far she has come with her box jumps and what a sit-up machine she has become.  She’ll tell you how it doesn’t matter if you’re a mom or even a grandma, you can do things like pullups and snatches.  I’m sure you’ll be inspired by her story too, but even better, you’ll get to know one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I’ve ever known.  Thank you for being you and for helping make CFW the community it is today, Erika!

 

Age: 47

Height: 5 feet

Weight: 130

What is your favourite exercise or workout?  Deadlifts – they make me feel strong.

What is your least favourite exercise or workout?  Anyone who knows me there knows I hate rowing!

Tell us something interesting or surprising about yourself?  I was overweight as a child, was never athletic and hated sports

What is your favourite hobby, pastime or sport?  I love to read.

What were you doing before CrossFit?  I did exercise videos (aerobics), we have a bowflex that I used, and I went to Curves

How did you find out about CrossFit Winnipeg?  I took a course on Healthy Living taught by the Bohemiers and Brendan taught the exercise portion of the course.  After the course was done, he invited anyone who was interested to come and check out his gym, which was River City Crossfit at the time,  so I took him up on the offer with a little fear and trembling but have never looked back.

What changes have you seen in yourself or your life since joining CrossFit Winnipeg?  Where do I begin?  I am healthier than I have ever been.  I am stronger and more flexible.  I think the biggest thing that Crossfit has taught me is “I can”.   I would never have pictured myself doing the things we do here.  I remember when I started I would come in and look at the wod on the board and think “I can’t do that”.  Now I come in and look at the wod and think “ok, here we go!”

Do you have any special memorable CrossFit Winnipeg moments?  Getting my first pullup – that was very empowering.   I just love the feeling after a particularly intense wod, when you’re laying on the ground trying to force air into your lungs and you think – I did it!

What advice would you give to a newbie or someone just joining CrossFit Winnipeg?  Keep coming in and giving it your all.  Whatever goals you want to accomplish – you will.  There is no “can’t”  there might be “can’t right now”  but eventually you can.

What is your biggest accomplishment at CrossFit Winnipeg?  I think my biggest accomplishment here isn’t so much physical as it is mental.  I used to be ruled by the number on the scale.  I lived or died by that number.  When I first joined Crossfit, it was about losing weight.  Somewhere it changed to becoming stronger.  It was a huge milestone for me when I saw the magazines in January that always promote the latest “lose the holiday weight” routine and I didn’t feel compelled to buy them and try it.  When I started Crossfit I was a size 10 and I weighed 147 lbs.  I have only lost 17 pounds but I am a size 4.  The numbers on the scale don’t rule me anymore and that is so freeing.  For that I can truly say Thank you Crossfit and thanks to all the incredible coaches who make this all possible.

 

17 Comments to “August 2011 Member of the Month: Erika Wilzer”

  • Val
    September 6, 2011 at 1:17 pm

    You are def. my inspiration at 7am Erika, you have been my mentor since I started coming at 7 am and your made those first few months less scary. Thank you for that.

  • Cobra
    September 6, 2011 at 1:54 pm

    You’re awesome Wipeout! I wanna do situps like you one day… :-)

  • Cobra
    September 6, 2011 at 1:55 pm

    PS – love the pics – you look awesome!!

  • BRad
    September 6, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    Erika you are fantastic. This was a great writeup and I know I will end up reading it a few more times. Your statement of “There is no “can’t” there might be “can’t right now” but eventually you can” is a perfect reminder for all of us, newbies or old vets who come through the doors. I love the fact that no matter what you are facing (injuries etc) you always show up ready to work. Substitutions or not, you are always there for business.

    You are a role model for all of us and I am grateful for the time we have gotten to put in since the old River City days. THANK YOU for your efforts and for helping make our community a better place!

  • SubT
    September 6, 2011 at 3:00 pm

    Looking fabulous Erika!!!

  • Wipeout
    September 6, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    Thanks guys! Thanks Tania for that write up. It is really thanks to the community here that we accomplish what we do. You won’t find support like this at just any gym.

    @Val
    Thanks Val. Maybe someday I’ll have the courage to post a picture of me in a bathing suit!

    @Cobra
    I wanna do pullups like you one day!!

    @BRad
    You have helped me more than you know. I thank you for your constant encouragement.

    @SubT
    Thank you – maybe one day I’ll catch up to you!

  • Leslie
    September 6, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    @ ERIKA!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU MAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU WERE THE ONE WHO MADE ME JOIN CROSSFIT IN THE FIRST PLACE AND I OWE IT TO YOU! LOVE YOU! MUAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Erinnn
    September 6, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    Yayyyy Erika!!! Congratulations girl!

  • maxim
    September 6, 2011 at 6:28 pm

    I showed my wife and niece the write up. They said the same thing as me. WOW!

  • bananas
    September 6, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    I had a huge smile on my face when I was reading this. Pretty awesome journey so far, Erika! (You’ll have to tell me the ‘wipeout’ story sometime…. haha)

  • Scott F
    September 6, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    Great Job Ericka!

  • MichM
    September 6, 2011 at 8:56 pm

    It is great to be a part of this community with you Erika. You are strong, kind, and you look wonderful!

  • CLaw
    September 7, 2011 at 9:31 am

    Amazing transformation Erika!!! I look forward to seeing your smile when you walk in the door in the mornings…and you give it your all EVERY day. LOVED your write up – you have such a positive attitude & spirit! Keep on killing those sit ups :)

  • Socks
    September 7, 2011 at 11:16 am

    Always an inspiration! You are a machine Erika, I’ll never forget your first pull-up which you made more awesome by making in a L-pull-up :)

  • Wipeout
    September 7, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    Thank you to all of you. You are all awesome and I am overwhelmed and grateful to be part of this community.

  • smokey jojo
    September 7, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO :-)

  • Wipeout
    September 7, 2011 at 2:14 pm

    @smokey jojo
    LOL!! Miss you girl!!

For Members

Upcoming Events

Random Testimonial

Posting tweet...