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Calibrated Profile in Strength: Terra Burke

Tell us a bit about yourself and how long you’ve been at Calibrated.

My name is Terra and I’m a stay-at-home Mom to two beautiful girls and a very active puppy. My husband, Michael, and I just celebrated our 10 year anniversary last summer. Woohoo! I’m 39 years old, going on about 14. At least, that’s what I feel like…maturity and energy wise. Haha! I started at Calibrated almost exactly two years ago. I knew after my first on-ramp session that I would be doing this for the rest of my life. Or until my body won’t let me anymore…I won’t go down without a fight. I have always been average at absolutely every active thing I’ve been involved in. And, in CrossFit, I’m still pretty average. But, the difference between all those other activities and CrossFit is that I’m super pumped about being average! I feel accomplished after every workout because I’m pushing myself every time and doing the best that I can do.

 

What made you want to start training at Calibrated?

I had been “working out” on the elliptical for about 13 years and I just knew that it was time for a change. I kept hearing how important it is for people, and especially women, to do strength training. I knew, though, that I couldn’t just pick up a barbell and start lifting without knowing the proper form. I needed training. My daughter, Bridget, was taking Irish dancing classes in the same building on Saturdays and I would see Calibrated’s Saturday class doing some crazy things, sweating profusely, and cheering each other on. After seeing that a few times, I knew I just had to be a part of it.

 

What’s your favorite part of the gym?

My favorite part of the gym is the people…The coaches and all my gym mates!

The coaches are amazing! They are all so supportive and they all have taught me so much. They are always pushing me to getter better and stronger, but have always kept my safety in mind too. Plus, they are all such wonderful people. I love coming in and getting to know them more each week.

I come every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. And, sometimes, I get to come on Saturdays. So, I have met a good deal of the people that come to Calibrated. I can’t believe how many good, kind-hearted people come to the same gym! I get so excited to come to Calibrated because I get to workout with these wonderful people. They have inspired me to work harder. They have taught me to be more confident. The friendships that I have gained from my past two years at Calibrated mean so much to me.

The coaches and the members at Calibrated are the reason why I have become a permanent fixture at the gym. I feel so blessed to be a part of it.

 

How do you motivate yourself to come to the gym, even if you’re tired, sore, busy, etc.?

The first thing I told myself before I even started at Calibrated was that it was non-negotiable. So, all my appointments would have to be scheduled around my workouts. That way, I couldn’t ever use the excuse that I’m too busy.

When I’m tired and I would just rather sit and drink my coffee, I just remind myself that after each workout I’ve never said to myself “I wish I had stayed home and not worked out”. I am always so happy after the workouts…happy I did the workout, happy because of all those wonderful endorphins, happy I am one day stronger.

If I’m sore, I am even more motivated to come in. After working out at Calibrated those first few weeks I realized that training helped relieve the soreness. Otherwise, I was sitting around for a few days waiting for the soreness to go away.

 

What are your favorite movements?

The deadlift is one of my favorite movements. It’s the one barbell movement where I’ve seen consistent results. I recently had a 2 rep max of 145lbs. I was super excited. Arjuna gave the class some tips on deadlift technique and my max went up by 20lbs.

Cleans are really fun, but I’m still working on getting under the bar faster, so my max hasn’t moved much.

I like most of the gymnastics movements. I just strung together 3 toes to bar for the first time last week. That was very exciting!!

 

What are your goals for your training -short term/long term?

A few goals of mine are: to figure out the freaking snatch already, to escape the whippings of the double-unders, and to give as much back to Calibrated and its members as it has given to me.

What are you most proud of achieving since starting at Calibrated?

I am most proud of getting my family excited about fitness. In the past year, my husband and my mother have started strength training. They are both so excited to go workout now, whereas before they were very sporadic in their gym visits. And my girls are already starting to ask when they can start CrossFit. I’m so very excited!