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 😂
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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