We asked Claire Potter to answer a few questions about her life and her CrossFit journey. Claire is a true inspiration – she never gives up and is totally determined and focused in all of her workouts. We’ve loved watching her progress!
Tell us a little about yourself
I’m 38. I live with my other-half Duncan and we have two kids Aneurin – 4 and Elizabeth – 6. I love climbing up, hanging off and dropping from Aerial Silks (I have ambitions to also try Aerial Hoop and Tightrope); being in a field pretending to be someone else at Live Action Roleplay events (LRP); nerding about LRP games systems, rules and cosmology and being involved in running some events; and making or planning to make things – sewing, leatherwork, felting, DIY. Obviously, I am also addicted to CrossFit.
Tell us something we may not know about you?
I live on a Yacht moored on the Itchen river. We have plans to eventually set sail on an adventure, after the yacht is finally fully fixed up.
What made you join CrossFit Southampton and how long have you been a member?
I took up Aerial Silks to try and regain some fitness and body confidence after having kids and pretty quickly realised I needed to be A LOT fitter to do it any justice. So, I joined CrossFit Basingstoke as it was near my work – getting up at 5am to miss the M3 rush hour and hitting the pre-work WOD. For a while I was a member of both CrossFit Southampton and Basingstoke, then I quit my job and made CrossFit Southampton my regular box. I joined Basingstoke in June 2016 and Southampton in December 2016. What made me stick with CrossFit was the sense of community – I never feel judged and always feel supported, everyone is pushing their own limits. Plus, the benefits of CrossFit both mentally and physically have been unbelievable.
What CrossFit accomplishments are you most proud of?
Literally everything – mostly not giving up! When I first started, I couldn’t run 200m and was 25kg heavier. I was way out of my comfort zone. My very first WOD was a 4RFT of running 400m and a couple of other movements, I had to scale everything, including the run to 200m with intermittent walking. Everyone else finished long before me, I thought I was going to die, and someone who had already finished came out and ran that last 200m with me. I’m most proud that I didn’t give up on that WOD and that I put my trust in the other members who never seemed to doubt that I’d get there.
What is your least favorite CrossFit movement?
At one time or another all of them have been. It tends to go in cycles along with whatever I’m struggling with. At the moment its Split Jerk – but I’m working on it.
What’s your favorite post workout meal?
So many options! At the moment probably a heap of broccoli slaw (grated broccoli stalks, red cabbage, onion, carrot, little bit of apple, fresh coriander leaves tossed in a little vegan mayo) with a BBQ seitan or soya protein burger on one of those Warburtons thin seeded protein bagels.
What is one goal you would like to accomplish in the next year?
Muscle-ups!
What advice would you give someone just starting out on their CrossFit journey?
Turn up consistently, focus on moving well, enjoy it and just trust the process – if you put in the time and work but you absolutely will get better.
Sometimes a WOD comes up and you feel like you can’t do any of it, do it anyway, find one thing to be your aim for that WOD – even if that’s just as simple as I’m going to make those burpees the best burpees I’ve ever done – forget everything else and anyone else and go smash your own target. If something didn’t go well, take note of what you need to work on or learn from it for next time and move on. Acknowledge and celebrate your small wins everyday – it might not be the PB you were hoping for, but there will be something that was a win that day, seeing those small steps will keep you motivated to reach the big wins.
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