Leah Raeihle

Hometown: Tampa Florida
Age: 49
Occupation: Executive Registered Sales Assistant

When did you first start Strength & Conditioningting?:
Started Bootcamp March 2014, WODs in June 2014

What is your favorite movement? Favorite workout?
Kettlebell Swings are my favorite movement.

What is your least favorite movement? Least favorite workout?
I don’t like to run. I have asthma, so I can run short distance. Long running bothers me.

Tell us about your sports & fitness background:
I was a gymnast growing up. I also took ballet, and other dance. I liked individual sports, not team sports. I was not really active in sports in high school. Living in Tampa, it was very hot, and any activity that we wanted to do centered around cooling off! I worked at a traditional gym in my early twenties. I taught Jazzercise classes two to three times a day, and helped clients with the weight machines. During this time was when I was probably in the best shape of my life up until now. Phil and I have always tried to be active in one way or another. We have had several gym memberships over the years, and have biked, run, and in-line skated together.

How did you first get exposed to Strength & Conditioning? Do you remember your first WOD? How did it go? 
My husband Phil started Bootcamps in January of last year. He would come home and tell me how hard the classes were, and that I just HAD to start taking the classes too!  I came in on a Saturday for a Bootcamp with Phil. The workout was an AMRAP box jumps, 200 meter run, Russian kettlebell swings and dips off the box. I did the box jumps using the little metal stool to start with. Even that was a challenge to begin with! I loved the workout, and signed up for Bootcamps starting the next session. 

What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting Strength & Conditioning? (before/after)
I have seen lots of changes! I have gotten stronger. I can tell my body has firmed up quite a bit. I sleep better, and I feel better overall. I have lost inches over my entire body. I have not lost weight, just inches. Coming from a traditional ‘weight-loss’ background, this can be very frustrating! But, the goal is to trim down. And whether it is in inches or in pounds the goal is still being attained, and that is what I have to keep in mind. I can tell that my clothes are getting looser on me, and I can get into some clothes that I haven’t been able to wear in a while. That is very encouraging!

What impact has Strength & Conditioning had on your life?
I have learned so much here! Not just in the gym, but out of the gym too! From the information that the gym sends to us about nutrition, and then information posted on the website about lifts and form for lifts and other moves. Phil and I have taken seminars to improve different CF abilities, and we have honed our eating habits to help us perform better in the gym. We have made friends here, that have supported us in our journey. I can honestly say, I would never expect that to happen in a traditional gym setting! I think the most surprising thing that has come from this, is learning about AIP Paleo. I have an Auto-Immune Disorder, and my daughter has severe allergies. We learned about Paleo through the gym, and then, through further research of my own, found out about AIP Paleo. I haven’t yet fully committed to the diet, but have tried a lot of recipes, and have found that they definitely help with inflammation and pain management. Crossfit has really opened up a whole new world, not just to me, but to our whole family.

What is your favorite Strength & Conditioning/CFD moment?
I think my favorite moments are when I finally get a movement down. I struggled with the form on Cleans for a long time (I still work on this). But, I can clearly remember the day I was able to drop under the weight, and how it felt! I had finally gotten the form down and the weight was nothing to get under! I felt like I could have cleaned twice the weight I had on that bar!

What is your advice for people just getting started or thinking about starting Strength & Conditioning?
Just get in there and DO IT! You can modify anything. We all do at some point! You will be joining a group of fantastic people who will encourage you on your journey to better fitness. I just cannot recommend CFD enough!

What are your hobbies, interests, and/or talents outside of Strength & Conditioning?
I like to cook. We like to travel. Really anything with my family.