Client Success Story Questionnaire
Name: Kristin Graham
Age: 53
Occupation: Showrunner
What is your athletic background?
I played volleyball, basketball, and softball in high school. In college, basketball again while studying abroad in England. I was their Caitlin Clark. (The Brits don’t really understand hoops very much, so this might be in my head more than anything. Don’t care. That was my hey day!)
What was your workout routine prior to CF Spero?
For 15 years, I’ve been playing co-ed intermediate volleyball every week with Chicago Sport & Social.
I’ve always been active, but never really knew how to work out at the gym. All of the typical equipment was so daunting. Head down, no eye-contact, no conversation, walk straight to the treadmill.
What was your first experience with CrossFit?
My friend in NYC signed up for CrossFit. I had immediate FOMO. I didn’t want to be left behind. They were going to be jacked and I’d still be a potato.
My inner thoughts sabotaged me. “I don’t lift weights. I don’t flip tires! I’m not going to choke down protein powder. I’m not falling for the hype. They’ll never get me.”
Then my boyfriend dumped me. There was only one option left.
REVENGE FITNESS. Instead of bleaching his lawn, I’ll build some muscle. “He’ll regret his decision,” I thought, even though it made NO logistical sense since our paths would not be crossing.
And so started the story of a simple potato trying to be a strong steak fry.
When did you start CrossFit?
January 2023
Why did you choose CF Spero?
I googled CrossFit gyms near me. Spero appeared to be a good fit after reading their website.
They had me at FREE CONSULT.
What keeps you coming back?
It’s MY time.
I can’t answer the phone or solve other people’s problems during my workout. It’s my selfish time. Time that I protect, time I invest in, time I plan around and look forward to.
I’m VERY competitive. I thought I’d have to be first on the leader board to feel good about myself. Admittedly, I pushed myself too hard in the beginning. Then, after buying a 40-gallon emergency bottle of L-glutamine, I realized that I could scale, and that would be OK. I learned to embrace humiliation quickly.
Everything was so intimidating. I didn’t want to mess up. The supportive atmosphere is nothing I’ve ever experienced. Spero coaches guide me mentally and even emotionally at times. I try to soak up all of their instructions.
Some coaches have even tailored special movements for me. One coach told me when I walked in the door, “Hey – I was thinking about your knee last night and instead of doing box jumps today, you should do glute bridges with a really heavy plate or single leg RDLs.” That made me feel so special that they were concerned about my broken body and coming up with an alternative and inclusive plan.
Why do you live in the Oak Park Area?
I moved here from Logan Square to be closer to Chicago Studio City.
What do you do for a living?
I’m an executive producer/showrunner for unscripted television.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Playing volleyball and guitar, laughing, working on my house & yard, taking care of family, and devising a plan to flee the country.
What are one or two improvements you have seen in your life since starting CF?
Allowing myself to be more open. And that’s a tough one! I’m usually the one in charge and I keep personal stuff tucked away. I tell people what to do. I lead by example. I was NOT going to open up at CrossFit. I’ll just show up, workout, and leave.
Little did I know that the super supportive and friendly community would wear me down. Now I have over a dozen new names in my phone, all with the last name of “CrossFit.” I’ve cried with them over family emergencies, laughed while eating $5 Fitz burgers, and played with them at open mic nights. Three big-hearted members even helped me carry a washer/dryer UP then DOWN 2 flights of stairs.
“If you’re deadlifting 325 then this 200-pound washer is going to feel so light!”
“Fill the canister, squeeze those oranges in your pits, spread the steps with your feet, then PIVOT, PIVOT, PIVOT!”
There’s also something to be said for being a part of other people’s challenges. I burst with excitement watching members reach their goals. I love cheering them on! Some days, it’s a first time ever toes-to-bar success. Other days, it’s my washer and dryer. No matter what it is, I can yelp out a “go go go” “you can do it” even when I come back wheezing through the garage door after what was SUPPOSED TO BE a simple run to Ridgeland.
What is the biggest change you have seen since starting CrossFit at Spero?
I’m super excited to be gaining muscle. I love doing the InBody scans to check my progress (or sometimes regression.) It helps me to set goals and re-focus.
What are your goals for 2024/2025?
My goal before Christmas was to do a pull-up. I’m there. I can squeak one out with a bit of a frog-kick. I’d like to be able to string a few together for 2025. I would also love to do the rope climb. I did it once (almost 1/2 way up) and then the next time I couldn’t get off the ground.
What's your favorite and least favorite movement?
Sadly - since I blew out my knee - some movements are super tough. I used to be able to do double-unders and I was getting good at lunges and box jumps. Now I have to scale scale scale. In the beginning, I would have been too embarrassed to do body weight lunges or use a bench for front squats. Now, it is what it is.
So… favorite movement? Continuing to get better at pull-ups.
Least favorite? Burpees, lunges, overhead squats, box jumps, American KB swings, thrusters, snatches, Cossack squats, wall balls, and of course, bike.
What's your favorite meal?
I could eat tacos every day.
Where is one place you would love to visit but haven't been able to yet?
The upper level at Spero. What’s up those magical stairs? Are there tacos?
What would you say to someone thinking about starting CrossFit at Spero?
Ok – if you’re curious, go to a buddy class. If a potato like me can come and sweat every day – then you can, too. It’s ok to fail. Just show up.
I’ve heard true CF initiation is when you finally throw-up during a class. That hasn’t happened yet thank goodness! And I’ve only cried twice. Once, in my first month of CrossFit. It was in the car after class. It was hard, but so were a lot of other things in my life. All bubbling to the surface.
No one saw me – THAT I KNOW OF.
I also cried a couple tiny silent tears when I blew out my knee. That hurt! But, when a 5-pound metal plate crushed my foot last month, I remained tear-free. Potato progress.
Anything else you would like to share with the Spero Family?
Big thanks to Dave for building this beautiful crazy community filled with misfits, heroes, and people just wanting to do better and be better.
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