Who is Maria McIntyre?
I feel like I am a 16 year old living in a 41 year old’s life! I am amazed by life every single day. I have been practicing immigration law since 2003 and have an immigration law practice in Irving. My days are spent translating confusing statutes and laws into common, every day language while cracking a few jokes in the process. In 2014, I decided to become a certified yoga instructor; hence, creating my part-time job. My yoga classes are focused on moving the body with the breath, which hopefully allows one to GET OUT OF THEIR HEAD and just let the body open and strengthen!
What is your CrossFit testimony? How did you find it? What was your first experience like?
I was a sporadic member at a local gym. When my husband decided to make the switch to SPT, I became a sporadic member at SPT. In November 2015, I hastily (and without much thought) signed up for the 1st Annual Fall Brawl with the best partner ever, Lauren Parks… I figured I should probably start regularly attending classes so as to not make a total fool of myself and most importantly, Laruen! In those couple of weeks leading up to the Fall Brawl, Shannon worked with us a lot and made CrossFit less intimidating. I had pretty much never worked with a barbell, always opting for dumbbells. When Shannon explained the body’s form and mechanics while going through the different movements, it actually aligned with much of my yoga training.
What is your greatest memory at CF SPT?
Greatest memories are always cheering people on during the Fall Brawl or Open workouts! You may or may not know who is competing, but the SPT community always comes together to encourage others regardless if they are leading the pack or the last to finish. Seeing someone do well literally brings me to tears!
What is your purpose, your “why”, when you are in the middle of a tough workout?
I grew up playing the oboe and competed regularly at the state and national level. (Yes-I know… super random!) I was very fortunate that I had enough natural ability to do well without much effort. My band director, probably the most influential person in my life to date, PUSHED me hard and often left me in tears. He was literally in my face, yelling that I could do better, but the yelling served to drown out any thoughts in my head which just allowed me to perform. This completely shaped who I am as an adult, as I can still block out those thoughts in my head and “do my thang” when things get tough regardless if it is at court or during a WOD. There is always someone in CrossFit who is (positively) yelling at you/encouraging you to continue. In a weird, demented way, the screams serve as a great comfort and an eerie similarity to my childhood which allow me to find that extra push during tough workout.
What is one of the biggest misconceptions of CrossFit in your opinion?
CrossFit is about fitness and COMMUNITY! It is about pushing yourself to the best of your ability but also pushing your neighbor to the best of theirs. CrossFit is about celebrating accomplishments both big and small regardless whether the accomplishment belongs to you or another.