October Member Spotlight: Tori Carle

Tell us a little about yourself and what got you on the path to CrossFit…

About me: I grew up in the Northeast but feel a lot like a Floridian thanks to the 7 years I spent there before moving to Charleston. I recently got out of teaching and landed what feels like my dream job working for Teach for America. I’m a coffee snob, which all started when Bold Bean in Jax Beach became my home away from home, and I have turned into quite the foodie since living here (and dating Mike). In my free time I like to walk downtown, especially in the winter, and scroll endlessly through interior design and street style inspo on Pinterest.

How I got into Crossfit: I played basketball in high school and when my Junior year came around and I knew I wouldn’t make Varsity, I decided it was time to retire. I joined the globo gym across the street and became a group fitness fanatic. My obsession flourished in college while working at the rec center and teaching HIIT and cycling classes. I was working out 3-5 hours a day between teaching and taking classes and training for my first half marathon, and it still somehow didn’t seem to be enough. SO, I joined a Crossfit gym, got my ass handed to me, and the rest is history.

What keeps you coming back each day?

Crossfit is a way for me to hang out with my friends every day, and to achieve my fitness goals at the same time. Without the social aspect, I wouldn’t be nearly as committed. Plus, there’s no better accountability than missing a mere 2 days in a row and Casey Leeper greeting you with, “we heard you were skipping class to stay home and get fat.”

What is your favorite at-home exercise to do?

I like to supplement my 4-5 days at CFJI with a class or two at Yoloha Yoga. BUT, if I can’t make it to the gym and am forced to do a workout by myself, I usually do something with running and air squats.

If you had to do 100 reps of one movement (not running), what would it be?

Sit ups!

What are 1-2 of your goals for 2022? Have you accomplished any of these?

I’ve been catching more sunrises and sunsets with Beila lately, something I used to do all the time. AND I’m on my way to reading 100 books! Another goal I’ve been working towards is freeing up more time to spend on art. I used to be fairly crafty as a child and am trying to tap back into that creativity. Drawing, specifically, can be incredibly frustrating, though, so it’s still a work in progress. A final ongoing goal I have is to become truly fluent in Spanish, which at this point is only going to happen through immersion–that’s mostly why I’ve recently been trying to get to Mexico any chance I get!

Favorite lift?

Probably the snatch–there’s no better feeling than a CRISP catch in the bottom of a squat snatch. You also can’t beat the energy in the room when people are getting spit out left and right.

Least favorite Crossfit movement?

THRUSTERS. I’m convinced my body is at a mechanical disadvantage. Coming in second is wall balls, which put me in a VERY dark mental place.

Hometown?

Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

Favorite Charleston Restaurant?

167 Raw for the full experience–best and most consistent food, drinks, and service I’ve had in Charleston.

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?

I’d own a used book store/coffee shop on the coast of some city in Spain.

What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?