Bonnie Boettcher
Athlete of the Month
August 2016
Bonnie was chosen as Athlete of the Month for her work ethic and lack of excuses!
Bonnie’s inability to focus on what others think she “can’t” or “shouldn’t” do as a over 60 athlete has gotten her far. She competed in her first powerlifting meet and her first CrossFit competition in Spring of 2016! (How many people are starting to compete in new sports when they are over 60?!)
She competes again in a powerlifting meet this month! (August 2016) where she hopes to qualify for the 2016 USA Powerlifting Raw Nationals.
She’s an unstoppable force! We often refer to her as our “Complaint Department.” When people give excuses about how they “can’t” do CrossFit, we direct them to go talk to Bonnie!
Bonnie Boettcher, 66 years old. I have been in IT for Primerica Financial Services for 29 years.
A conversation with a guy I work with led me to CrossFit. I made the comment that I would like to be stronger and actually have muscles I can see but felt perhaps I was too old.
He pulled up something on the internet about a woman bodybuilder in her 70’s so I was like ‘OK, fine. I will give it a try.’ I had read about CrossFit so off I went. I keep coming back because of the challenge CrossFit provides. I most definetly have drank the “koolaid!”
Not sure I was capable of any thoughts after that first workout! No, really… I loved it.
The coaches were great helping me through my first workout and I was quite proud of the fact that I did it, even though I was scared to even walk in the door.
The whole community atmosphere. It’s not just about coming in to work out as much as coming in to see my friends.
Deadlifting my body weight!
Well I bet you can guess my favorite: the deadlift. I also love to row for cardio!
My least favorite has to be the dreaded Snatch… followed closely by the good ole Burpee.
I have a love/hate relationship with any Endurance WOD. I do like the Hero WODs and learning the story behind them.
Still want that darn pull-up and I need to get my focus back in that direction. Getting there within the next six months would be great.
I just feel better and stronger and the whole experience has brought a wonderful group of people into my life.
I like to play golf. I know – boring right? But I do love the game.
I know I am getting older but I do not have to be old! I really do believe that doing CrossFit will keep that from happening.
Editor’s note: I loved this part so much I just want to repeat it: “I know I am getting older but I do not have to be old!”
Do it. Just do it.
Age doesn’t matter. I started this journey at the age of 64. Most of my friends thought I was crazy. Got all the usual warnings about ‘how dangerous Crossfit is,’ but it’s NOT! The coaches are there to make sure you don’t injure yourself and all the workouts are tailored to your own capabilities.
You will be tired and, believe me, you will be sore, but it is worth it.
The best thing I ever did was walk in the door at CrossFit Johns Creek.
