Streaky part 2: Nutrition, Focus, and just plain awesomeness

Jenn or Streaky.....which ever you call her - is an awesome person. Anytime I've had a question or needed to be inspired she is there with a smile on her face and probably a heavy ass barbell in her hand. She has been through a lot and is a super positive person. I first interviewed her here and now that some time has passed I decided I needed to catch up with her again. Of course, she said yes.

She is one of the first women I saw pictures of that lifted heavy and 100% gave me the guts to not only say "I want to do that too" but actually get the courage to do it. For that I thank you Streaky.




1. What does your off day look like? What do you like to do other than pick things up and put them down?

My off day is usually spent doing meal prep, laundry, and prepping for the week ahead. Hanging with my boy and pups. I love being outdoors, hiking, biking, motorcycling, exploring.


2. What does your training day look like? Where are you training? Multiple times a day? With friends or alone?

My training days right now are pretty intense - 2 a days - strength, conditioning, bro stuff at Golds Gym for aesthetics and accessory pieces - TONS OF BICEP CURLS - I usually train alone, but sometimes I get lucky and have a buddy.

3. What advice do you have for women looking to lift heavy shit?

Lifting heavy shit is so empowering. DO IT! With it brings forth a confidence you never knew existed.


4. Favorite movie?

The Goonies


5. What was your take-away from Regionals Team last year? The good. The bad.

I loved that I set a goal to compete at Regionals and did what it took to get there. The good: being able to compete along side of the best teammates led by the amazing Miki Carey. Being part of a team was pretty neat. I've never played sports or anything, so it was a neat dynamic. The bad: I wasn't 100% confident in my abilities and strengths. I focused too much on what I couldn't do instead of what I could. :(

6. What is your focus on now? Crossfit? Lifting? Do you have goals set?

My focus is still on training like a boss. I still love crossfit, however I'm leaning more towards powerlifting/Oly/Grid style training. I love moving heavy shit really quickly. I have a ton of goals set for the next 6 months.

7. What has changed for your new meal plan? Flexible dieting, Macros....?

My new meal plan has a lot more carbs added in to it because my volume and intensity has increased a ton. 

I don't really consider myself a flexible dieter. As of now my food choices are usually body builder/zone like - with the occasional splurge on a rice crispie treat. By occasional I mean daily. LOL 

I literally can't even....bad. ass.

8. Any competitions coming up?

My first Competition this season is going to be June 26/27 - power lifting/power X. Can't wait to see how my new dieting and programming has changed since last season.

9. What the question you get asked most?

The question I get asked the most: "when is your next show?" I always have folks assume I'm a body building, which I take as a compliment. Probably my biggest pet peeve question "how do I get lean and tone without being bulky or too muscular like you?" :(



10. Who do you look up to? Who are you DYING to meet?

I look up to a ton of people - my mom - peers - I find inspiration, wisdom, and knowledge from everyone. Dying to meet? No one in particular. I love meeting new people!

11. Any new tatoos in the works?

No new tattoos in the works, however I'd love to finish my left arm sleeve and fix the Koi fish that everyone says looks like a thanksgiving cornucopia.

12. Morning person or night owl?

I'm both - Morning person and a night owl.

13. Do you have a motto or a saying that gets you through the tough workouts?

My motto that gets me through: the first thing I usually tell myself is there are no pansies in the hall of fame. Pick it up Streaky!!! and "don't beat yourself up. you came in, did work, and punched the clock. You are one rep closer to the podium. Suck it up and do work - nothing but a peanut."

14. What's the hardest part about coaching? What's the best part?

I don't feel like there is a hard part to coaching - passing the written testy maybe. Hahahha  The best part is seeing an athletes face light up when they PR, learn a movement, and appreciate you for teaching them something outside their comfort zone. The feeling inside is indescribable. It makes my soul happy.

15. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years I hope to still be coaching and competing and getting prepared to compete as a Masters Athlete.

16. How has the move to Crossfit Goat and Georgia been? Missing the beach?

Quite honestly, this move has been extremely taxing on me mentally, physically, and emotionally. It has affected my training tremendously. Weather, new surroundings, people, etc. is a huge adjustment. Once I finally got my bearings everything seems to be working out for the best. I am currently still doing make up and working 4 other jobs, but i love it. 

I absolutely miss the beach and Florida and my mom and friends and family and Gardens Crossfit very much. Looking forward to going home and visiting, but as for now I'm busy hustling and training my ass off here in Georgia. 

Thanks Streaky!!!!

The Dirt on Christina "Tina" Birog

I met Tina through my boy Phil (@illphill500). She instantly became another female I could talk to about Crossfit - anytime. She actually encouraged my questions, which was awesome! She is strong, fun, dedicated - but has a life outside of the Box. I decided that you all need to know her too!

Phil (right) friends with Ryan (left) who dates Tina......that's how we met :)

1. When did you start Crossfit and Why?

I started Crossfit in March 2010.  I was complaining to a friend of how bored I was of my routine/vollyball matches and not seeing results and he convinced me to give Crossfit a try.

Tina and the box jump

2. If you were on an island and could only bring three things what would they be?

Ryan. Knife. Net.

3rd place at the Superfit East Coast Championship

3.  What was the last song that played on your Ipod?

Fight Night by Migos... yes, I get hype at work.

Tina flying

 4. You always have a smile on your face, but what movement or lift just frustrates you?

Pistols on my right knee

rope climbing

 5. What is it like to date someone that is also a Crossfitter? How do you two take a break from all the CF/balance your time/not kill each other?

Dating a fellow Crossfitter is amazing!  When Crossfit is both partner's passion, understanding one another is easy.   Your goals are the same, your frustrations are the same - everything becomes easily relateable.  Personally, dating a Crossfitter has helped me become a healthier person... I've dropped a few of bad habits and picked up some good ones along the way.

We spend A LOT of time together (box, home, famly, friends) and we still, surprising enough, haven't killed each other.  Thankfully, we both work different jobs and sometimes train at different boxes so that's our time to be a part.  When we do train in the same space, we're both focused on our work so it's not like we are spending much time together.

Tina and Ryan

6. Favorite date night?

Saturday nights

Superfit Delaware Chest to bar

 7. What did you eat for breakfast today?

1 Egg, 1 Gluten Free Waffle, 4oz 2% Milk

Mid Atlantic Regionals

 8. What do you love to do outside the gym?

Eat :) 

 9.What is your superpower?

I am Dr. Dolittle to my pets... minus the doctor part.  Louis, Duke and I talk to each other and I can carry normal conversations with them.  I know what they're thinking/saying to me.

205# clean and jerk

 10.What was the hardest CF WOD ever?

Open WOD 14.5.  2 crappy movements with a time cap that ends when you're done.  Suck Fest.

FLEX

 11.What is the one food that you can't say no to, even though you know you shouldn't eat it?

Ice Cream! 

 12.What song best describes you?

Alot of poeple say I'm exactly like my Mom... so definitely Juvenile's She Get It From her Mama.

 13.What was your first competition? How did you feel?

Charlottesville 2012 was my first competition (and individual). I was both excited and nervous but had my coaches and teammates there competing, so it was just like another day at the gym (with a bunch of other people I've never met).   I remember leaving that day thinking "Jenn Jones is amazing" and "holy crap... you have a lot to work on Tina"

Podium time

14.You recently injured your foot, how are you handling your restrictions?

I'm handling it one (training) day at a time.  I can't tell you how much I want to pick up a barbell or run (I hate running).  Thankfully I have a coach (Jacon Tsypkin, TZ Strength) who does all my programming.. so whatever he tells me to do/not to do, I follow.  Or try to follow.

Boo. Not Happy

15. What advice would you give someone starting out in CF now?   If your box offers it, take a Fundamentals/On ramp class first!  More than likely, you will enjoy that and appreciate/understand Crossfit better than if you were to jump straight into a regular class and feel behind.  When you start - take it one day at a time, listen to your coaches instruction, and don't get discouraged if you see other people doing advanced movements you can't do.  Everyone started from the beginning... they just advance differently.  

So that's Tina in 15 easy questions. You are bound to see her - once fully recovered - at any number of Crossfit Competitions in the area. Watch out for her during The Open too!!

Summ summ summatime!

LOVING this. Coconut is my FAV

Got my own! Look out vacations and couch time. Gonna be work time

Tequila fixes all things. mmmmmm

Cherry is my favorite, but this one is good too

 

My favorite is the coconut. Blueberry is pretty yummy too. Great before a WOD

  

Summer love. There are so many. These are just a few. The RXbar was awesome - of course coconut was my favorite. I loved that they came in a resealable bag too. I don't always eat the whole thing at once - sometimes half before a workout and half after. They were chewy and all natural...always a bonus!

I'm pretty stoked to have my own kettle bell. I have high hopes that I will use it to work on my core 24-7. :)  We took it to the beach, used it once (oops)....but the potential is there. The mailman was NOT happy about it though. Asked me if a strong man was home to carry it in. I replied "I got this". 

This summer has been awesome. Filled with the pool, beach, friends, and of course CFA.  I still have a few weeks of summer, but now I feel like I have school, organizing, and shopping on the brain. Not as relaxing as July was. I hope everyone else is loving this weather and is getting their fill of vitamin D.