Name: Kimberly Ohgren
Age: 34
Member Since: Summer 2017
Where are you from or where do you live around here?
Originally from Chesterfield, south side of Richmond. JMU alum 2009 and official townie after RJ finished grad school and got a job with JMU. We now live in Dayton.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a registered nurse and currently work at RMH in the Emergency Department. Wife to that short short loving, bandana wearing, “GO TEAM” shouting RJ. Mom to three kiddos, Henry (7), Maggie (4), and Elliott (1).
What got you started at Rocktown CrossFit?
I had been doing Body Pump and weightlifting for years with Jenny Deivers at Valley. Then she went to grad school and our schedules never lined up. I found myself working out alone and aimlessly wandering around Valley Fitness with no plan or push to get through a workout. I would see the CrossFit moms dropping their kids at the Kidzone and was in awe and intimidated. Before my regular 9am Body Pump class one morning, I confessed to Jasmine I was thinking about checking out the Rock. She convinced me to skip Body Pump and crash the 9am with her that very morning. I made several excuses as to why I couldn’t go that day but she wasn’t having it. I went and was hooked.
When or what was your "CrossFit Moment" - the moment that you really felt pushed or felt like you really accomplished something?
Two immediately come to mind. If you’ve ever been to 9am you have probably heard me whine about handstand pushups. It’s a real love/hate relationship. But I worked on them for a long time and the first time I was able to RX Diane I remember feeling AWESOME. I think I had to do 9 single handstand pushups at the end, but it got done. The other was Open workout 19.5. Chest to Bar Pullups and thrusters. Part of my soul is still at the old Rock location after that one.
What are your goals for CrossFit? Why do you do CrossFit?
The best thing about CrossFit is there’s always something to improve on. I could write a novel about different goals I have for my fitness, but mostly to continue to stay active and be a healthy role model for my kids. And maybe one strict handstand pushup.
What do you think is special about Rocktown CrossFit?
The gym Nate and Lauren have created is something truly awesome. This place has become a haven for so many of us. Working nights, three kids, COVID! Life can be stressful, but after an hour at this place my stress level falls, my body feels better, my mind feels more clear and I haven’t found many things that create that same energy.
What are your favorite movements to do in a workout? What are your least favorite? Why?
Favorites include anything barbell (minus thrusters), rowing, and handstand pushups when they go well. Least favorite include running, chest to bar pullups, and handstand pushups when they don’t go well. Again, its a love/hate thing with handstand pushups.
Free write - whatever you feel like you want to share.
If you’re thinking about trying CrossFit, go for it. But come here. It’s amazing. I forget how good we have it, but then RJ and I will drop in somewhere when we’re out of town and then I’m quickly reminded. Our programming is da bomb, the coaches are knowledgeable and approachable and ready to help whenever, and the nutrition coaching is the cherry on the sundae, for lack of a better analogy. Rocktown has given me so much I never imagined a gym could do but for me the most incredible thing has been the self esteem and body positivity it has given me. Being surrounded by strong women and a community that continuously SUPPORTS one another, has given me the ability to appreciate my body for what it can do and not what it looks like. My goals aren’t centered around what size my jeans are or what number is on the scale this week, but instead getting a faster mile time or getting 50 double unders unbroken. Looking good in a bathing suit feels great, don’t get me wrong, but have you ever PR’d in the Open? Now that’s what I’m talking about.
If you workout at 9am, you have worked out with Kim. She’s probably laughing, cracking jokes, or dancing in the corner to the latest Lizzo song. While she’s all fun on the outside, she’s all work on the inside. Kim is consistent whether it’s in the gym or at home, is hardworking, and is constantly pushing herself to be 1% better than yesterday. She has put in all the postpartum work to rebuild her gymnastics skills, her lifts, and alllll the cardio (if you have had a baby while doing CrossFit, you know that the postpartum comeback is 10x harder than working out while pregnant).
But what’s even more impressive than her gym feats is what she does outside of the gym. She’s one of our frontline heros working as a night nurse in the ER…and that alone deserves all the accolades for the past year. But I want to take it a step further. Kim works nights in the ER, has 3 kids, and probably gets limited sleep compared to the average person. Would you know it? Absolutely not. Because I’ve literally NEVER heard Kim complain about being tired. Instead, she’s thankful for an hour at the gym with her homies and getting to sing those Lizzo lyrics mid pullup reps.
So Kim, thank you for all your hard work as a nurse and thank you for keeping my butt in check every time I want to complain that I’m tired. You’re the real MVP sista!