Member Spotlight | Renovation CrossFit

In a new series, we will be spotlighting members from time to time. Continuing reading below to learn more about our clients and Renovation CrossFit.

Dianna Kinch-Elia

Dianna Kinch-Elia is one of those members that is just simply a joy to have. She takes on any workout we give her and does so with style and grace. You may not realize it, but this grandmother of two not only does our Masters class but often shows up for regular CrossFit classes as well. She calls all the younger ladies in class “Spring Chickens” since they can get up and down so quickly. Meanwhile, she uses her wisdom to line things up, so she doesn’t have to get up and down quite so often!

Dianna started out as a regular in our Zumba classes (something we no longer offer) and stuck around when we transitioned to CrossFit. Her joy and enthusiasm are always welcomed. If she adds in a cha-cha here or there, we laugh and dance along!

Matching colors makes Dianna super happy! She was thrilled when the colored barbells showed up at the gym. She’s also big on having lots of options for weights when she does her workout.

Her strength and personality always shine through in all she does at RCF.

Here’s a bit more about Dianna.

1. Why did you start coming to Renovation CrossFit?

I wanted to get in shape, and I thought…I’m 65, what am I waiting for…80? I could be dead by then. That’s ridiculous. I needed to get off my butt and do something NOW!

2. What’s your favorite style of workout?

Zumba is my favorite because I love to dance. Lisa Graves began me on this journey of physical fitness and she changed my life forever. She teaches Zumba in Sumner at the elementary school. However, CrossFit has given me the best results. One of my friends in Zumba, Jana Stevens, said that if I wanted to lose weight I should lift weights. She said, “Swear to God, it will work.” The choir began to sing. She was so right.

I have gained weight, but I have lost inches. In the two years I have been lifting all kinds of weights in CrossFit, I have gone from a tight 3X to a medium. My clothes have been falling off me. I also really and truly love aerobics. I also take classes with Loraine Piirainen at Rush Fitness in South Paris. She gives me a complete, total body workout. When I first met her, I told her she reminded me of Richard Simmons.

3. What’s your favorite move?

I don’t know why, but I freakin’ love deadlifts.

4. What’s your least favorite style of workout and/or move?

I hate Clean & Jerk.

5. What’s one thing that’s changed in your life since coming to RCF?

My health. When I was 40, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I was given four years to live. It was an enormous battle. My PCP, surgeon, radiation oncologist, chemotherapist, and oncologist absolutely saved my life. So, 30 years later, when I think I might finally be ok, it came back. Same exact diagnosis.

My original surgeon had not retired. Praise Jesus because she’s brilliant. She told me I was in better shape at 70 than I had been at 40. All of them keep me smiling when I walk into a room. They said they have never had a 70-year-old woman who could do what I do. They have absolutely no idea what I am capable of so I should just play it by ear. They told me not to lift over two pounds for the first few months, to which I replied, “I can lift two pounds with my eyelashes.”

When you see your radiation team, you have to say your date of birth. I said 1952. I turned around and there were two people to help me on the stretcher. They had kindly put a stool there to help me. So…I kicked the stool out of my way (because I can), and I told them I didn’t need any help getting up on the table.

It’s been five months since my surgery and radiation. My fitness programs have absolutely saved my life and made my recovery 100% easier. I’m going to have people record what I’m doing and send it in to my docs.

6. What’s the biggest benefit for you to being a member of RCF?

I can jump. I can run. I can swing like a crazy person from a rope. I can run up AND downstairs with no problem. I can absolutely keep up with my grandchildren. The last time I saw them it was right after my surgery and they came running up to me and said “Run with us, Nana, run with us!” Because that is what I can do. They knew I’d had surgery. I could only chase them around the house for 15 minutes, but thanks to CrossFit, I was able to do that. I can go a full hour now with no issues. Whoop! Whoop!

7. What’s your biggest pet peeve at the gym or at home.

I DETEST sand!

8. What’s your favorite color?

Orange/gold/teal

9. What’s your favorite music to listen to?

I love anything from Tchaikovsky (who I feel had a wonderful sense of humor in his work) to rock. I hear music and I have to move. I love it all. What I listen to at any particular time depends on my mood.

10. What’s your favorite thing to do outside the gym?

Gardening

11. Do you have any hobbies?

I like the idea of hobbies. I’m just not good at them.

12. M&Ms or Skittles?

OMG – M&M’s!

13. What’s your favorite ice-cream flavor?

Cookie Dough

14. What do you do for work?

I’m retired. I was a medical transcriptionist, and I could type 150/WPM accurately. I ran my own business. It was much in demand at the time but doesn’t matter anymore. I absolutely LOVE all things medicine. Could watch surgical procedures forever. I would have been a great surgeon. Very small hands and nerves of steel. I now work part-time at Rush Fitness at the front desk. I needed something to keep me busy.

15. Tell us about your family.

I have a daughter, Shannon, who is married to Ken. Shannon is a nurse and I am very, very proud of her and all that she has accomplished. They have two sons, Ryan and Juju. I also have a niece, Chrissy (whom my brother named after the character in Three’s Company though he wouldn’t admit it!). I also have two nephews, Shawn Lynch (originally from Caribou) and Matthew Flagg. Except for Shawn, everyone lives in Massachusetts so I don’t get to see them as often as I would like.

I live on a hobby farm, and we have two sheep – Gallant and Gypsy – as well as many chickens. We also have Freya, my feral cat who adopted us.

16. If you could tell someone who doesn’t go to RCF why they should, what would you tell them?

If you want to stay mobile, YOU HAVE TO MOVE. GET OFF YOUR HINEY. It will help you recover from surgery. Everybody won’t talk to you in a baby voice and, if you can keep up, they won’t “dismiss” you. And if you fall down, you’ll be able to get back up.

Donna
Arsenault

Donna Arsenault has been a member of Renovation CrossFit since long before its inception! She's been with Betsy for over 10 years and simply followed her to RCF. Donna always puts her head down and gets the work done. Her work ethic shines at the gym. She's always willing to help - both at the gym and out. After all, her license plate says "DNTQUT" (Don't Quit) and she lives that out in all she does.

Here's a bit more about Donna.

1. Why did you start coming to Renovation CrossFit?

I have been with Betsy for 10 years and followed her programming.

2. What's your favorite style of workout?

I can't think of one...I love them all!!

3. What's your favorite move?

Cleans, snatches, deadlifts, bench presses...I guess anything with a barbell!!

4. What's your least favorite style of workout and/or move?

Running because I now have arthritis in the arch of one foot, so it becomes painful. Although, I still walk/jog some.

5. What's one thing that's changed in your life since coming to RCF?

Working out has changed from basically being active to something seriously fun! I love taking on the challenges and seeing improvements. I was able to eliminate prescription medicines and warded off cholesterol medicine thus far. I hope I can maintain that for a VERY long time.

6. What's the biggest benefit for you to being a member of RCF?

My health. Mind and body. A true sense of community with support that is out of this world. I have made some great friends at the gym. I am simply amazed at how everyone supports each other in this judgement free space. We are all willing to help anyone, cheer others on, listen to each other, and we really have a blast together in the workout.

7. What's your biggest pet peeve at the gym or at home.

I am not sure. I don't know that I have one. Everyone has one, right? Maybe I just don't know what mine is.

8. What's your favorite color?

Purple. My birthstone.

9. What's your favorite music to listen to?

Rock, but I listen to everything except classical.

10. What's your favorite thing to do outside the gym?

Hang out with my husband.

11. Do you have any hobbies?

I love to cook. Does that count?

12. M&Ms or Skittles?

M&Ms! I love chocolate.

13. What's your favorite ice-cream flavor?

Chocolate, coffee, black raspberry

14. What do you do for work?

I am a store manager at Rent-A-Center in Augusta. I have worked for the same company for 20 years.

15. Tell us about your family.

My husband and I are empty nesters. We have an adult daughter. Sometimes we get bored. The gym gives me something to do. We have one fur baby - an adopted cat named Sarge. A friend came up with his name. We adopted him on 9/11. I have a distant cousin who was one of the first on the scene at the Pentagon when it was attacked on 9/11.

16. If you could tell someone who doesn't go to RCF why they should, what would you tell them?

Anyone can do CrossFit! I would tell them to give it a chance. They would be surprised at what they would discover. It is so fun, and no one judges anyone else. It is a great group of people who are so supportive of everyone else. Every day is a different workout, so you aren't doing the same choreographed moves over and over. Every day is a learning experience, too. There is always something new to learn. People are lying to themselves if they say they can't do this because there are modifications across the board for anyone and any move. I love this place!

In the start of a new series, we will be spotlighting our members from time to time.

Janet Stevens

Janet Stevens has been a member for so long, none of us can remember the exact time she started. She always has a smile on her face – especially if there are burpees involved! You can count on her to end every single workout – no matter how easy or challenging – with “That was fun!” Janet really loves playing games and wishes she could hang out with the kids each week. She’s always striving to make herself faster and better with every workout.

1. Why did you start coming to Renovation CrossFit?

I was a member when Betsy first opened at the dojo in Jay, and we did the Les Mills programming. I just followed her to the new space. I remember being excited and nervous when she was transitioning to CrossFit. I felt like I was finally good at the other programs and I was kind of scared to try something new.

2. What’s your favorite style of workout?

I honestly don’t think there’s ever been a workout I didn’t like. They are all fun! Partner WODs are always great and encouraging.

3. What’s your favorite move?

Gosh…double unders, hang cleans, front squats, pull-ups, rope climbs, handstand push-ups, sandbag carries, burpees over barbell…just to name a few. I cannot pick one! I LOVE them all!

4. What’s your least favorite style of workout and/or move?

One rep max.

5. What’s one thing that’s changed in your life since coming to RCF?

In the past, working out felt like something I did because I was supposed to. Now I go to RCF because I enjoy it. It truly is fun, and I am surrounded by wonderful people. The coaches are all amazing and encouraging also.

6. What’s the biggest benefit for you to being a member of RCF?

I have an autoimmune disorder called ankylosing spondylosis arthritis that is attacking my spine. It will eventually attack the other joints in my body or so they say. Working out every day at RCF has been very beneficial to my health, both physically and mentally in dealing with this disease. I have, up to this point, been able to avoid any medicine to suppress my immune system by movement, strength training, and lots of mobility. I hope to be able to continue that forever. There are some movements that I cannot do (anything spine loading) and I remind myself daily to be fortunate for what I am able to accomplish.

7. What’s your biggest pet peeve at the gym or at home.

Things being out of place – especially and specifically the kettlebells at the gym!

8. What’s your favorite color?

Orange

9. What’s your favorite music to listen to?

I really like a variety. I think it depends on the day. I run every morning and I don’t think I ever listen to the same type of music in one week.

10. What’s your favorite thing to do outside the gym?

Any time that is spent with my kids and my family. I also have a niece and nephew that live close by.

11. Do you have any hobbies?

Why was this so tough? Does vacuuming count as a hobby?

12. M&Ms or Skittles?

Skittles – none of the fancy new flavors – just the original

13. What’s your favorite ice-cream flavor?

Hood Green Monster Mint. I miss ice cream. I’ve yet to find a dairy-free one that tastes good and is worth eating (I have an allergy to whey in milk).

14. What do you do for work?

I am 44 years old and have been a waitress at the Chuck Wagon Restaurant for almost 29 years.

15. Tell us about your family.

I have a boyfriend of 15 years. I have a 20-year-old daughter who attends college and lives with us currently and works with me. And I have a 14-year-old son who keeps us plenty busy. We also have a 3-year-old chocolate lab named Gunnar. He’s the reason I do so much vacuuming!

16. If you could tell someone who doesn’t go to RCF why they should, what would you tell them?

Going to RCF will change your outlook on working out. It will not feel like a chore. It is FUN! I’ve made many friendships within the gym. I’m so thankful for that. It is always an encouraging place and not a place of judgement. I would encourage anyone that is hesitant and thinks they can’t do it, to definitely check it out. There are options for every move and everyone. One of my favorite things about CrossFit is there is always something new to learn. Even if it’s a move we’ve done over and over, there is always some place to improve. Everyday is a new opportunity to learn and grow.