Husband, wife share inspiration for healthy living

1) What is your background in athletics?

Sarah McCormick: All through my childhood I was a runner.  I ran track and cross country at UNI.

Armand Mcormick: Wrestling and football through high school.

2) How did you become interested in CrossFit? 

S: When I was done with my running career, I needed something different.  I tried CrossFit and fell in love with the idea of getting stronger.

A: I started it because I liked the competitive nature of the regimen.

3) What is your biggest personal benefit from CrossFit

S: For me, the benefit from CrossFit has probably been more mental.  Of course, I have gotten stronger and more fit than I have ever been in my life, but CrossFit has transformed the idea of fitness in my mind.  I no longer worry about my body and how I look as a result of working out.  I can focus on performance and how I feel, and everything else just falls into place.

A: Physically I’ve been able to keep in as good of conditioning at 35 as when I was 20.

4) Can you tell a little bit about yourself?

S: I am 29 years old.  I have owned The Gym with my husband for almost eight years. I have two kids, Ice (5) and Milo (2).

A: [Sarah and I] have owned a CrossFit gym in the area since 2008. We both graduated from UNI. I have a masters degree in exercise physiology.

5) Do you continue to set new goals with yourself in CrossFit?

S: The great thing about CrossFit is that there is always some way to improve.  I constantly have new goals and something to work toward.

A: I set goals for myself and our teams.

6) What is your biggest obstacle in committing to fitness?

S: My biggest obstacle for the last several years has been time.  Owning a business and being a mom takes a lot of time, and I often feel like I am not able to commit as much time as I would like to training. Just the same, time (or lack thereof) is no excuse, so I get as much training in as I can every day.

A: Nutrition

7) What are your future goals for the gym?

S: My goal each year is not only to qualify for the CrossFit Games, but to have a podium finish. Though it hasn’t happened yet, I believe our best years are yet to come. I also have a goal of qualifying a male and female individual athlete for the games.

A: I’d love to develop both individual and teams to podium at the CrossFit games.

8. How many hours a week do you workout?

S:15-20

A:10

9. What role does nutrition play in your life? 

S: As a trainer, obviously nutrition is very important in my life.  Depending on the time of year, my nutrition varies.  Throughout the majority of the year, I eat for performance and strength gains. In other words, I eat clean (for the most part), but don’t restrict in any way.  Prior to the competition season, I typically cut back in order to decrease body fat.  Being involved in CrossFit has helped me to stop focusing so much on food for satisfaction, but rather treating food for what it is: fuel.

A: It is always a battle, but I typically stay the course 80 percent of the time.

10) What information would you want kids to take away from this?

S: There are many ways to get and stay fit. CrossFit is only one of them.  Being active and having a healthy relationship with food, your body and your mind is the No. 1 most important thing you can do for yourself.

A: Exercise is by far the most important component to a productive lifestyle. Exercise will help your physical and mental self through struggles, and more importantly your quality of life is enhanced.