Allow me to introduce you to Ashley Zelinski.  Ashley has been a member of the Bomber Crew for over 2 years.  She comes in day after day ready to try new things, work hard, and challenge herself.  Ashley has made tremendous strides and she continues to improve each day.  If you’ve not had the pleasure of meeting Ashley, try to catch up with her next time you are in the gym.

How did you hear about CrossFit and what was your first experience?

I first started Crossfit 6 ½ years ago. I had briefly started a boot camp class, but wasn’t seeing results. When we moved to Virginia, I had decided that I needed to take back my health. I was about 100 pounds heavier and frustrated that I had let myself go. I don’t really have a good excuse other than I love food! Greg has always been very active and he would always ask me to do things with him, like hiking and biking, and I always said no because I just couldn’t keep up with him. Just walking up stairs was a challenge because I was constantly out of breath. I had heard about Crossfit a few times, but I also had several friends that had warned me not to do it because “it’s dangerous”. Of course, my thinking was isn’t being overweight dangerous too? So I found a box close to my house and gave it a try. I remember my first day walking into a jump rope, because I had no idea I needed to pay attention to where I was walking. I also remember driving home from CF and crying for a solid week straight after each wod. It was an awakening of just how out of shape I was. So I made myself keep going!

 

When did you first come to Bombers CrossFit?

 

We moved to Beavercreek 2 ½ years ago and immediately started looking for a box. I had actually done some research before moving and wanted to give Bombers a try while we were house hunting, but you know, life happened and we were so busy I didn’t get a chance to try it out. I remember Greg Kerschbaum was coaching that afternoon and everyone was so friendly that it made me want to come back. We signed up after our first class. 

 

 

How many days do you CrossFit?

 

On average, I try to crossfit at least 3-4 days a week. Since I am currently working on my running goal, it tends to be about 3 days a week. 

 

 

What classes do you normally attend?

 

Due to my work hours, I usually attend the 3:30 or 4:30 classes in the afternoon. In the summer, I enjoy going to the morning classes because I can then work out with my awesome husband, which is important to me. 

 

What motivates you/keeps you coming back to Bombers CrossFit?

 

I could talk for days about what motivates me, and those that know me, know that I love to talk! I would say all of the PEOPLE and COACHES at Bombers! They are AH-MA-ZING! Bombers is my second home. Sometimes it’s hard to be “that military family”, that moves in and has to start over every few years, but at Bombers we have so many of those military families that it’s like an instant group of friends that are like family. Even those that aren’t military understand. I love how everyone that walks through the doors of Bombers has different goals such has lifting more, doing more double unders, maybe it’s a first pull up or running but everyone is supportive of those goals. Some may not know this, but that is what keeps me focused on my goals. I’m currently working on my running goal, because it’s always been a struggle of mine, but the amount of support I’ve gotten from my Bomber friends has been my motivation to keep going, even when it’s snowing outside and I have to get my track work done. 

 

 

What’s your favorite thing about the Dayton area?

 

When we moved back to Dayton for the 3^rdtime, we came as empty nesters. We have two daughters (21 and 23 yrs. old) and I always joke with Greg that we are in the second phase of our lives. Trust me when I say, I miss having the little’s to take care of, but I am also enjoying the second phase of my life. Greg and I enjoy hiking, biking, walking our dog Maggie and now running together. If we aren’t doing the wod on Saturday mornings, we always reserve that time to do something together. In my not so distant past, I didn’t have the energy or health to do most of these things, so this is most important to me. My last goal of being able to run with Greg is currently being worked on about 3 times a weekJ. We love to head over to the bike path or the state parks to discover new trails. I’m from Florida so I love having four seasons and getting outside to do things. As much as I love doing the wods, I also find it refreshing to get outside and get fresh air. (Another reason, why I love to have the gym doors open Jimmy!) I am also a foodie at heart, so we like to try new restaurants and I love watching movies.

 

 

What accomplishment are you the proudest of (inside and outside of the gym)

 

Most recently my running. I’m tired of being last Jand Murph is coming, LOL. I also never want to scale the running portion of a wod either. Running has never been my favorite thing to do because it was hard. I was never an athlete growing up and had never learned to run the right way. Thanks to Pete Hitzeman I’m slowly, but surely getting there. To quote Pete, “if you want to do hard things, you have to do hard things to get ready.” I’m pretty sure this applies to my crossfit adventures as well. My cardio has improved so much that I’m actually having better results on the cardio based wods that we do. 

 

I am also most proud to say that I no longer have to take medicine for type 2 diabetes. This was a huge accomplishment for me! I changed my diet to something sustainable, did more crossfit and running and have never been healthier! Crossfit quite literally has given me my health back.  I’ve finally gotten past my weight plateau and I’m not “dieting.”

 

Lastly, I’m most proud of my family.  While those little milestones of dressing up for Halloween, Christmas advent calendars, hunting Easter eggs etc. have passed, it has been so fun watching my girls grow up into ladies! One is getting married this next year and the youngest will be finishing college, wow, where did the time go? But they are my greatest accomplishment. 

 

 

After a hard workout, what is your favorite meal? 

 

Hhmm, all food! Ha! Laura’s cookies from Dorothy Lane, but mostly steak and potatoes! Our guilty pleasure is sometimes Kilwin’s Ice Cream. 

 

 

What are some of your interests outside of CrossFit? 

 

I love teaching every day. I know this is my job, but it’s something I truly enjoy doing. I love hanging out with friends, going to dinner or a movie. Hiking, running, reading and baking are a few other things I enjoy. 

 

 

What is one goal within the gym that you’re working on? 

 

My next crossfit goal is to get my ever elusive pull-up. I see it on the horizon, and now that I have lost more weight I’m hoping to get one before I’m 50! HAHA!

 

 

What impact has CrossFit had on your life/lifestyle/level of fitness?

 

When I first joined the military, I had to lose a few pounds so as an adult my weight has always been an issue. Once I got out of the military, life happened. Greg traveled often and my kids were younger, so some days it was easier to run through the McDonald’s drive thru for dinner. I also discovered my real love of food, and was pretty sedentary. For lack of better words, let myself go. Crossfit got me moving and doing things I never thought I would. I discovered Strongman at my previous box and found that I was really good at it! Moving heavy things quickly, how fun is that!! I always say that I am healthier now in my 40’s than when I was in my 30’s which is awesome to think about. My goal now is to keep moving!! Am I the best at any one movement, probably not but I’m lapping all of those sitting on the couch!

 

 

What advice would you give to a newbie?

 

I try to make a point to introduce myself to new people in class. My advice would be to stick with it! It is always hard, but the great news is you get better at the movements. You don’t have to lose weight to start, you just have to start. One of the best things about crossfit is that everything can be scaled and there is always something you can do! If I can do it, anyone can!