Member Of The Month – February 2024
Our February MOTM award goes to the brilliant Petra Kolic!
Meet Petra! She is super hardworking, friendly, supportive, coachable and absolutely smashing it! She started at M Squared Fitness in the MumWod classes after having her second child and eventually ended up joining full time. She has gotten stronger and achieved more skills through her hard work and determination. She is an ex competitive ice-skater and you can see her work ethic from her competitive days is still there, despite now having to navigate around Mum life and work commitments! She is also patient too, and trusts in the process and the coaching. She knows not to rush things in order to achieve her goals. Recently her lifting has improved so much and she has gotten super strong, and she is now getting regular chest to bar pull ups and is working on some really technical gymnastic movements too. But most importantly, she is really friendly with everyone at the gym, will talk to anyone, gets involved in social events and supporting the team and we just love having her around! Have a read to find out more about her journey so far in CrossFit…
M – How long have you been doing CrossFit?
PK – I started going to Mum and Baby CrossFit at MSQD in May 2022 while I was on maternity leave and then signed up for a full membership in October 2022.
M– What class time do you usually attend and why does that work for you?
PK – I usually do 7.15 am on a Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. It works with how my husband (Chris) and I split nursery drop-offs and pick-ups. I also like that I can add on accessory work straight after class (if my work schedule permits) and I have made close friends in this class, so I love catching up while exercising.
Wednesday evening is weightlifting time – at first, I went to step out of my comfort zone because I had never done a snatch or clean & jerk before joining MSQD. Now, I love the technique side of this class and the people, it’s such a good atmosphere.
And then on Saturday, you’ll find me at the 8.00 am class usually saying “I’m just here to move today”.
M– What is your why? Why do you put yourself through it each day? Do you have goals you want to achieve?
PK – Coming to MSQD is my “me time”. I try to pause any work / parenting worries and I am just me for a little bit.
I love the process of training and I would train more if I could fit it into my week (maybe one day when the kids are older and I get better sleep)! I love how technical some aspects of CrossFit are and I see it as a challenge to master those techniques. I love seeing how far I can push my body and going to a dark place in my head during a tough workout. (I know I can look serious and unfriendly mid-workout – sorry! It just means I am “in” the workout.)
It is also my social life. I struggled with my mental health and felt like I didn’t fit in anywhere after having my first baby four years ago. I didn’t click with any mums at play groups, even during my second maternity leave post Covid. Since joining MSQD, I feel like I have finally found my community. I enjoy talking to different people (some have become close friends) sometimes about the most random topics, dancing along to great tunes mid-workout and geeking out over workouts.
My goal is to get stronger, improve my gymnastics (long-term: muscle ups and handstand walks would be very cool), see what my body can achieve and have fun along the way (also: look after myself and keep injuries to a minimum).
M – What advice would you give anyone wanting to start CrossFit but is either unsure or nervous? We get people all the time saying they need to get fit first or they could never do what we do? Any advice for those people?
PK – I started CrossFit when I was at my least fit ever, so I was definitely nervous and full of self-doubt. I would say give yourself a few weeks to trial classes on different days / at different times of day, see what fits best with your daily schedule and see how CrossFit makes you feel – overall, mood, chatting to people, the accomplishment of finishing a sweaty workout. Try not to focus on the weight on your bar (I started with an empty training bar) because the strength and skills will develop over time if you keep showing up.
For new parents (mums especially), who want to return to or start exercising postpartum, Mum and Baby CrossFit is the place to be. Emma Hill is so knowledgeable, understanding, and always happy to hold an (unsettled) baby.
M – What is your biggest achievement so far in CrossFit and what are you most proud of?
PK – In terms of skills, I never thought I would be able to do a press up or pull up, so they are massive achievements.
But I am most proud of how Chris and I work as a team to manage the daily work / kids / gym juggle with no family support and that I have found a new hobby and made friends as a grown up.
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M – You are smashing it Petra! We are proud of you! Well deserved and looking forward to seeing your future achievements!
