Congratulations to Marianne Gibson , December Athlete of The Month! Let’s get to know Marianne a little better with some questions below.

When and how did you get started with us?
I was in a rut with exercise, and I’ve tried it all….aerobics, step aerobics, spinning, running, Insanity, combat, etc. Some friends talked me into trying boot camp at Synergistics in July, 2016, and I started Crossfit in April, 2017. The best thing about Crossfit is the constant variety; I can’t imagine ever getting tired of it.

What is your biggest accomplishment since joining CFS? 
Completing the Throwdown in November was a pretty big accomplishment, not only physically, but also overcoming the anxiety around competing in something like that when I’m still fairly new. I was lucky to be paired with a great partner (thanks, Jess C!), and we had a lot of fun with it.

What is your favorite CrossFit movement?
Deadlift

What is your advice to new folks?
Don’t cherry pick the WODs; go on days when there are movements you’re not comfortable with yet; there’s always a scale, and by keeping at it, you’ll see improvement.  Most importantly, don’t be intimidated; there’s no judgement from other athletes or coaches – they just want you to succeed!

What is the luckiest thing that has ever happened to you? 
With the exception of winning the lottery, I generally don’t believe in luck.  But, if I have to give an answer, I’ll go with the sappy (but true) meeting my husband.

What are your top two favorite movies of all time?
It’s impossible to narrow it down to two: I love movies of the 40’s and 50’s: Casablanca (pretty much any movie with Ingrid Bergman in it), All About Eve, Mildred Pierce, To Have and Have Not, and also The Godfather, Goodfellas, Good Will Hunting, Pulp Fiction, The Rose, All that Jazz, Fargo……okay, I’ll stop.

Who was your favorite Teen Beat magazine star as a kid?
As a kid, I was more into ‘old’ movie stars than teen stars. Some of my favorites were Lucille Ball, Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart, Joan Crawford, and Bette Davis.

If you were stranded alone and had to survive for 30 days on a dessert island what are 3 survival tools you would want with you and why?
There never seems to be enough time to read, so I’d take all the books I keep buying but haven’t gotten to yet, a water purifier, and a huge supply of non-perishable snacks because living off the land is not my forte.

What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home?
Dominican Republic

What is your favorite holiday and why?
Memorial Day because it kicks off summer.
 

If you were in a karaoke contest to win a million dollars what song would you sing? 
I’m pretty shy, so I’d recruit a group to sing with me; maybe something like Bohemian Rhapsody.
 

What is something most people would not know about you?
I’ve been playing golf since I was 8. I should be much better at this point, but whether I play well or not, I love it. One of the things that CC said during Foundations was that Crossfit will help you improve and be stronger at other things you do in your life.  Here’s hoping…..

Marianne thanks for sharing!