Samantha Wright. Gymnastics Coach, CrossFit Coach.

Sammy comes to CFCC from an elite-level gymnastics background and has since developed her barbell skills considerably. In the last few years of training CrossFit in Philadelphia Sammy has blossomed as trainer and as an athlete. She competed admirably in many area competitions in this last year and is hoping to enter the circle of athletes competing for the CrossFit Games. In addition to training for CFCC she also attends school at Rutgers-Camden and offers personal training in and around the Philadelphia area. When she’s not doing all of these things (wow!) you can find her hunting for fish in Reading Terminal Market while simultaneously emailing you back the second she looks at her Blackberry. She’s CFCC’s contact for all things membership-related!

What is CrossFit?
For some it is a “killer workout,” a means of getting bigger or leaner, a way to get off the couch or simply a break from the mundane global gym routine. Whatever one’s definition may be, it’s become clear to me that it goes so far beyond “commonly varied functional movements performed at high intensity.” The term encapsulates and applies the spirit, passion, and strength of an individual derived from and spreading to all experiences of life. It is a union of the body and self, bringing awareness into a being so that they may live in the present moment spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically balanced. The bond of the two words in “CrossFit” mirrors the bonds created in its setting, the sense of family and friendships grown not from a common interest, but a common passion. It is for this reason that I may be unable to apply a definition to “CrossFit,” as the term itself has helped me define my own self.

Most memorable CrossFit moment:
Each day I train and coach I am lucky enough to witness these moments. Moment’s like Stu’s first pullup, Rachel pushing through 150 burpees just a few weeks after having a baby, running alongside my team across the finish line at one of my first competitions. Each and everyone of them is so memorable, but one that stands out took place at the Hybrid Summer Challenge competition 2010. After a grueling 4 events, the last workout was “Death by Thrusters.” After the rest of the competitors had dropped out rounds earlier, there was one last man standing. In his last rounds, the group of a hundred or so spectators and some of the most elite athletes in the sport(including his competition) surrounded this final competitor. In those moments there was no competition, only a man, a barbell, and strength. The strength of not only him, but of every individual in the gym. Each sound in the room was a cry of support and every ounce of strength within our bodies and thoughts was devoted to him to conquer this one act. There was no longer competition, simply a community of support to help a man in conquering a feat.

Goals for my own training:
• Focus on building strength and increasing all of my lifts
• Build on my weaknesses, i.e. the front squat
• Compete in CrossFit Regionals within 2 years
• Compete in CrossFit Games within 5 years

Sam has currently qualified for the National Level of Olympic Weightlifting and will compete next March!

Hobbies outside of training:
There are hobbies outside of training? Since when? …Hiking, reading, meditating, living.

Certification/Experience
• CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Certification
• 10 years competitive USAG Gymnastics experience
• 3 years USAG Gymnastics Trainer experience