Introducing CrossFit Renew’s biggest, bounciest, most color-theoried chalk monster, Nicole Schumann:
Q: What brought you to Renew?
A: Rebuild! I was at another gym during my pregnancy and assumed that after being cleared by my doctor at 6 weeks, I'd hop back into classes there no problemo (insert rolling eye and/or melting emoji). Pretty quickly postpartum I realized this was not going to be the case and I wasn't quite sure what to do. Jess Guevara posted something about Rebuild on Instagram and within 5 minutes of her post I was emailing someone I'd never met (Sadie) something like "HELP ME!" Sadie talked me off a ledge and we started Rebuild in July 2023. All the while, I kept telling her I was going to do Rebuild then peace out and go back to my old gym. It's been well over a year at this point, and welp, you're all stuck with me now.
Q: One year from now, what do you hope to have mastered? What skill do you want to add to your wheelhouse?
A: Ooooh, so many things. I'm having fun right now working to master a pull up, so I definitely want to have that by this time next year and hopefully some volume there. So let's say a few pullups ;) Beyond that consistent handstands and maybe even some walks a year from now would be dope.
Q: What’s your favorite movement?
A: Good question, I don't know what my favorite is. I can tell what's not my favorite, cough snatches.
Q: What is something fitness-related that you’re most proud of?
A: First and foremost, doing Rebuild. I'm someone who really struggles taking things slowly. I want to hurry up and do something and move on to tackling the next thing (textbook Enneagram 3 over here 🙋). I'm proud of myself for recognizing that I needed to treat that time in my life differently and not just jump back into something full force. Much of that credit also goes to Sadie for reminding me no less than 100 times that "fast is slow," but taking her guidance and going way slower than my brain wanted was key.
More recently, I'm proud of getting my first toes to bar! This is the first skill I've worked really dang hard on and accomplished. I've spent the last several months focused on this and the first time I did one I'm pretty sure I was smiling all day because I was just so excited and proud of myself.
Q: What's something Renew has taught you about your fitness?
A: I am so much more capable than I give myself credit for. I would never have called myself athletic, up until recently. While I worked out before coming to Renew, I didn't really have any fitness related ambitions other than a number on a scale. There's definitely been a mindset shift since being at Renew that I can do more things than I thought I could. It's been a safe and encouraging place to try new things and have a lot of fun along the way.
Q: What do you do outside of the gym? Both for work and play?
A: For work, up until about a month ago I was a Product Manager. I've spent the bulk of my career working in growth and/or product roles at various startups. I love the building phase of companies - taming the chaos and scaling is my jam. I'm currently taking a mini-sabbatical trying to figure out what I want to do next.
Play wise, you can find me reading, in the kitchen cooking or tackling way too many house projects than I have time for. I also really love to dance and hike.
Q: What is your favorite eatery in Austin?
A: Stiles Switch for barbecue, Birdie's for any reason, Nixta Taqueria because tacos.
Q: What’s something we don’t know about you?
A: I love to dance – I grew up doing a little bit of everything: tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, modern, hip hop. In recent years, I fell hard for latin dancing - specifically bachata and salsa; I was even on a Salsa performance dance team for a bit! So if you're ever in class with me and I'm requesting Latin jams, that's why.
Also, I make a mean smashburger.
Oooooh smells like we’re gonna have a Smash-Off with Jon Wickes! Nicole, we’re so, so proud of you and all your hard work – in so many capacities! – since you joined the crew. And we’re so proud of all the cool work and accomplishments you’re going to do in the next year ;) Keep at it!!
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