Today we acknowledge Coach Heather Crocker as our spotlight coach!
Heather has been the perfect addition to our coaching staff. Her athletic background, strong attention to detail and empathetic approach to coaching has been well received by all!
Really looking forward to honoring you with your signature WOD today.
Thank you Heather!
Coach Heather
For time:
One barbell (135/95)
30 Deadlifts
20 Cleans
10 Thrusters
20 Cleans
30 Deadlifts
~ Every time you break: 10 Pull Ups
What brought you to Cynergy?
I’m actually from the North Shore originally, and was perfectly content at my old box…but I started dating this awesome girl who was (still is) a coach here at Cynergy. For a couple of our first dates we went to some open gym classes and obviously, it kind of stuck 🥰.
How long have you been a CrossFitter and Coach?
I’ve been CrossFitting since 2012; so it only seemed like a matter of time before I would start coaching. Finally took the plunge on the Level 1 course May of 2021.
What is your athletic background look like?
I competed in various high school sports, then ended up playing ice hockey for one year at Northeastern. In college I also competed in track and field throwing javelin.
It wasn’t until my last two years of school that I found my passion for heavy weights in the gym… which lead me to joining the powerlifting team. After a decent collegiate career I sustained a back injury. Due to this and a desire to return to the days of being a more versatile/well-rounded athlete, I found CrossFit and never looked back.
Somewhere in there, I dabbled with a Women’s full tackle football league…but that didn’t go far and ended with some broken bones. Story for another day.
What would you say is the best part of being a CrossFit Coach?
Encouraging people to push themselves and achieve goals that they may have not thought possible for themselves. There’s nothing better than finding that “cue” is going to be an “ah-ha” moment for someone… and then see them take off with it.
What advice would you give to a new athlete?
Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. Learning every single skill…whether it’s barbell, gymnastics or cardio-driven; it takes time and repetition and dedication.
Just trust the process and be consistent…the rest will come. It doesn’t happen overnight. I still always have to remind myself of that.
And, a veteran athlete?
There’s always room to grow and go back to basics. You can never undervalue foundations. Just like with newer athletes; consistency is key and a skill can just as easily be lost if it is neglected rather than continually practiced
What are your current goals as a Coach?
To be able to better verbalize and effectively communicate my thoughts in terms of teaching skills and movements. Everyone at the gym has a different athletic background, skill sets, injuries or limitations that are all unique to them. Not only that; everyone has their own unique learning style.
I think by getting to know athletes better and realizing what their weakness are, what cues may be effective for them and what kind of coaching style they may be more receptive to is such a delicate skill. One that I would really love to improve upon in order to help the athletes meet and surpass their goals
And, as an athlete?
The same as my advice to the veteran athletes. Stay Humble. There are always so many ways to improve ourselves even by getting back to basics. Sometimes you have to swallow your pride and scale a movement or accept that your score isn’t going to be where you would like it to be, but that’s okay.
Everyone has room to grow. It is better to be honest with yourself and where you are. And to take areas that are “rooms for improvement” as motivation to work weaknesses and become a better athlete.
What is your favorite movement to Coach?
Anything with a barbell. Obviously with my powerlifting background, there is a special place in my heart for the squat, bench and deadlift. Though since I’ve been OLY lifting more, I’ve grown to really love the snatch.
What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I work full time as a Nurse Practitioner for a community health center and per diem as a Registered Nurse at an ICU in Boston. For a short bit, I worked as a travel nurse. I lived in Colorado and Hawaii. While in Colorado Springs, I was incredibly fortunate and able to join a community program at the Olympic training center; where aspiring athletes were trained on the campus by Olympic coaches. Talk about humbling. If you’ve ever been a victim of my footwork-chalk-drawings in the early mornings…that’s where they come from…and also why I put so much emphasis on basics. It was weeks of footwork drills before I was even allowed to put weight on the bar. But so very worth it in the end, and where I made some of my biggest technique gains.
P.S. sorry for all the chalk feet on the floor, Cindy 😬
How would you describe the Cynergy Community?
An eclectic group of athletes of all different ages, skill levels and athletic backgrounds. I have been fortunate enough to meet some wonderful people, make great friends and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What are some of your favorite or most memorable moments as a Coach?
As I said about; that moment someone has a 🤯🤯 moment because of something you could help them with…that’s what it’s about. Everyone’s health journey is different. So to be a part of that process for another person is incredibly rewarding.