When I saw Nicole & Chris’ engagement photos, I knew instantly that they were a perfect fit for our community and as I got to know Nicole through reading her answers to the questions below, I was assured even more so! Nicole & Chris are two fun-loving, outdoors-y, sports’ lovin’ people and fitness has been part of their relationship from the start. Don’t miss reading about Chris’ kick-ass proposal!
Thanks for sharing these imaged Narrative Imagery.
A mutual friend, Katherine (my Coworker & Chris’ friend from college), thought we would hit it off so she arranged a blind date for us.
To some extend yes. Katherine knew I was very active and outdoorsy and that Chris liked to do crossfit and skydive. Because of these things, she felt we would be a good match. In her words, “we both like to do crazy things.”
On a mountain bike ride, at the top of the hill. It was a complete surprise. (See attached photos.)
He encouraged me to give CrossFit a try about a year before we got married (September 2015).
My main influence was Chris. The other driving factor was that the gym we belong to now participated in a mountain biking event. I tagged along because I love mountain biking. The people were so wonderful and I had such a great time that it furthered my interest and inspired me to go check it out.
Chris started CrossFit in 2008 in Hunnington Beach, CA. He got really into it and became an instructor. He had just competed in the sectionals as an individual and the regionals on a team when we met.
Chris got tired of walking around the gym looking for the dumbbell weight that he needed. He asked his gym at the time if they could do something about it and they basically told him no. That is when he decided to try CrossFit and he never looked back.
Everyone was so nice and friendly! I felt as though I had gained several friends after only one workout. I had previously been part of gym where I attended the same class several times a week and no one ever spoke to me. It was a completely different world. It is truly a community not just another place to work out.
I love exercising of all kinds. It is a great stress relief and endorphin boost for me. My goals in joining were to both get stronger and mix it up a bit. I really enjoy that the workouts are different every day!
Yes! Fitness is a huge part of our relationship. We have a home gym and really enjoy doing workouts together. We also love to mountain bike, rock climb and snowboard together.
There is a lot of team building, encouragement, support and communication involved in CrossFit. It is kind of like being part of a sports team. I believe a successful marriage requires strong and honest communication, encouragement and teamwork. We aren’t always at our best and we must lean on our partners from time to time to pull us through. So, yes, I do believe there are elements of CrossFit that relate and can even strengthen a marriage.
I am stronger than I have ever been. The shape of my body hasn’t changed a ton because I have always been very active. I do think my muscles are more defined now.
Definitely! It helps me petal up the mountain with less effort.
Not really. We just stuck to our normal. Biked and did CrossFit as often as our schedules would allow.
No. But we did have costumes for the dance party ?
My favorite CrossFit move is probably hand stand walks but I also really enjoy back squats and kettle bell swings.
My favorite type of WOD is one that involves a lot of quick weight body movements and running.
We eat paleo-ish. We are both strictly gluten free and I do not eat dairy. We do eat grains/starches such as quinoa, sweet potatoes, corn, rice, & oats from time to time but we do aim to limit our intake. We have both tried strict paleo and found that with how active we are, we need a small about of grains/starch daily. We do tend to maximize vegetable intake and focus on healthy proteins & fats.
Chris learned about paleo and got his way of eating from the box. I picked some of it up from him and learned the rest from dealing with gut health issues. Everything I have learned has inspired me to take nutrition classes and I will be a Certified Nutrition Therapy Practitioner this February.
Chris lost weight (this was before we met). I just felt much better. I now feel as though my body is getting the nutrients it needs and that I have more energy and endurance.
I love bell peppers, especially orange ones.
I would like to be more flexible. Overhead squats are challenging for me. I would also like to be able to do kipping pull-ups & toes to bar without ripping my hands open.
In 10 years from now, I see my husband and me with a couple kids who also love to exercise and do all the activities we love. I see myself with a thriving nutrition practice helping encourage people to eat and live well. I see Chris with a bike light company. And, I see us both continuing to be active and enjoying our CrossFit Community.
Thank you for sharing your love story with us, Nicole & Chris, and for these beautiful images, Narrative Imagery.
Have a question for Nicole or Chris? Leave it in the comments below!