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November 27, 2023

Member Spotlight: Carrie Houston

Member Spotlight: Carrie Houston

Who’s got two thumbs, is an ordained minister, avid runner, and lover of mashed potatoes? This girl. Get to know one of our favorite boomerang members, Carrie Houston!

Q: What brought you to Renew and how long have you been a member?

A: I started CrossFit at another gym in 2017 and then came to Renew in 2019. Then COVID happened and I disappeared for a while, returned and then took another break to train for half marathons and now I’m back in perpetuity. Sorry, you’re stuck with me. You can find me at the 8am class.

Q: One year from now, what do you hope to have mastered? What skill or lift do you hope to add to your wheelhouse?

A: I would love to master the rope climb and double under!

Q: What’s your favorite movement?

A: The clean and jerk and the snatch. I am obsessed with Olympic lifting and love the practice of improving these lifts. I’m glad Renew has such great coaches to teach these lifts!

Q: What is something fitness-related you’re most proud of?

A: I did not grow up doing any sports/fitness things. The most I ever did was one semester of flag football (shout out to my teammate Jen Chamness whom I happened to run into AT Renew many years later) in college and I was on the dance team in high school. I became an athlete in my late 20s and there was a large learning curve! I have spent the last 10-ish years working with trainers, trying different gyms and programs to familiarize myself with all kinds of strength related movements. Now, I feel like I have a decent grasp on the proper form of most moments in the gym to where I can feel comfortable in any gym space. It took a long time to build up that confidence. That confidence translates into more enjoyable workouts and the ability to understand gym memes.

Q: What do you do outside of the gym? Both for work and play?

A: I am an ordained Baptist minister serving as Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church of Austin. I love my job and my community! I am pursuing my doctorate at Austin Seminary. I have been playing the violin in the Austin Civic Orchestra since 2009. (Come see a concert sometime! Kids are always free.) I am also a half marathon runner. I spend most Saturday mornings running long runs around the lake with friends. I love reading, dogs, and almond butter cups from Trader Joe’s. I have a husband and a beautiful 7 year old daughter, a dog and a cat.

Q: What’s your favorite eatery in Austin?

A: Pueblo Viejo for their chorizo breakfast tacos, Kome’s tantanmen ramen, Sap’s or Madam Ma’am’s curry, Taco Deli’s mashed potatoes, and Xian Sushi.

Q: Tell us something we don’t know about you.

A: I don’t like pizza. I drive a Subaru. I am an enneagram one. I wear socks with my Birkenstocks and think I’m a really cool person. I turn 40 in December. 40 is the new 30, right?

Never change, Carrie 😂

Jealous of how cool our members are? You, too, can be this cool. Come join us! Book a free No Sweat Intro and talk to a coach about membership options. Whether it’s Personal Training, Group Classes, Weightlifting Classes, Nutrition Coaching, or Pregnant or Postpartum training – we’ve got whatchya need (and whatchya want). Book here: crossfitrenew.com/no-sweat-intro

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Sweet & Spicy Korean Turkey Spring Roll Bowls

serving of meat makes 8 servings: Calories — 565⁣ Protein — 40g⁣ Fat — 21g⁣ Carbs — 33g⁣ ⁣ 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐲⁣ 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥: ⁣ ⁣ 3 lbs lean ground turkey⁣ 9 tsp garlic, minced about 9 cloves⁣ 34 cup brown sugar, packed⁣ 34 cup low-sodium soy saucetamaricoconut aminos⁣ 6 tsp sesame oil⁣ 1 tsp ground ginger or 2-3 tsp minced⁣ 1 tsp crushed red pepper⁣ 1 tsp black pepper⁣ Sliced green onions for garnish⁣ 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞⁣ 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥:⁣ ⁣ 10oz bag of shredded cabbage⁣ 10oz bag of julienned carrots⁣ 10oz bag of broccoli slaw⁣ 12oz bag of sea kelp noodles ⁣ 5oz greens of your choice, roughly chopped⁣ 5-10 mini cucumbers, sliced⁣ 1 bunch each of cilantro, mint, and Thai basil, roughly chopped⁣ 13-12 cup peanuts, chopped⁣ Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish⁣ ⁣𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠⁣ 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥:⁣ ⁣ 12 cup olive oil⁣ 6 tbsp rice vinegar⁣ 4 tsp honey ⁣ 2 tsp minced garlic⁣ Salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper to taste⁣ ⁣ To prepare: ⁣ — Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.