Not only was Dawn one of our Behemoth CHANGE 2017 (nutritional/lifestyle challenge) winners, but she is also our I AM BSHEmoth for the month of April! Dawn has put in a ton of work and has shown major commitment to bettering herself since her time with us, but has really put it in to gear through the first quarter of 2017!Who are you? Tell us a little about yourself or something that would surprise us.
I am a mom of 3 awesome and crazy teens, and a wife to the most awesome man. I have always been very active, creative, and a bit impulsive. I have a gypsy soul, and in my heart of hearts just wish to wonder the world aimlessly. Thankfully I have my children and husband to keep me a bit more grounded. I have so many hobbies that there are just too many to mention them all, but a few are hiking, painting, crafting/creating, singing, dancing, hula hooping, flow and fire dancing. I make my own daytime hula hoops & poi. I am certified to teach hula hoop dance through Hoop Revolution, although I haven’t had time to teach classes in while. One of my other major passions is American Sign Language (ASL). I am currently going to school at Lonestar College Cy-Fair in the Interpreter Program. I am so excited to see what happens from here. Life has taken me on a crazy journey and I love every second of it!
How and when were you introduced to Behemoth?
I was introduced to Behemoth about 3 years ago by my husband, Cam (Killa) Hewitt. Cam and I had been introduced to CrossFit before then but after just one introductory class had decided against it because by the end of class one I was just over done and nauseous. He had begun going to Behemoth a couple of months before I started though, and really enjoyed the people and the workout. I was hesitant at first for myself because of our previous experiences. I was in a strange place in my life at that time and was really searching for better health and nutrition. I had just begun working out on my own and doing a couch to 5k thing to get ready to one day do the 5k, so I made a deal with my husband that I would try Behemoth if he would try a 5k with me in the future. Needless to say I ended up just falling in love with the community, the coaches, and the workouts. So the 5k portion kind of went on hold, but I do have plans to do one in September this year.
What are you most proud of, physically, mentally or both since beginning with us?
Boy, where to begin? Physically I am on track to be in the best shape of my life, and I’m definitely stronger than I’ve ever been I’d say. On a mental level I had hit a place in the past year or so where my weight was really getting to me. I had been on multiple medications over the years for Fibromyalgia and Migraines and they had really made me gain weight. I had always been super tiny and very in shape before then. I’m happy to say I’m off the medications for the most part. The side effects just were not worth it, and I had reserved myself to just live in pain. Once I started with Behemoth I started to notice the pain level either getting better or maybe I just didn’t focus on it anymore. I think working out regularly has definitely helped with the pain of the Fibromyalgia. On top of that, since the beginning of this year I decided to make a bigger commitment to Behemoth and my health by going to Behemoth 4-6 days a week and changing my diet to healthy foods. Boy what a difference that has made in my life! I feel better than I’ve ever felt before! I have the confidence back that I had begun to lose due to my unhealthy state of being. I am so thankful that Cam talked me into trying Behemoth out. I have never looked back!
Why Behemoth?
Well for all the reasons above. Mostly though it’s the coaches and the awesome community there. These people have become another family for us. The encouragement, love, and pushing forward that we get from the people there are like no other gym I have ever been in or a part of. You just can’t get the one on one attention and support you get at Behemoth anywhere else. The coaches are just wonderful and really helpful. The workouts are great and can be tailored to work with your level of fitness. I can’t imagine going to any other gym. Once I stepped into this family at Behemoth I never looked back.
What next? What are you excited about pursuing here in the future?
I am excited to continue on the path I’m on. I have really stepped it up since the beginning of the year and I have no plans to drop off. Since I’ve made the commitment I’ve seen such an increase in my performance at Behemoth, so moving forward I just want to see that continue on an upward path. I’m looking forward to seeing what my body can handle, and seeing myself grow stronger and healthier. I have some specific goals for the year, but as a whole I just want to keep working on increasing my abilities and the weights on the bar.
“3, 2, 1…Go” Mad Lib section
-My favorite lift is…
Got to be the deadlift. I love deadlifting. It makes me feel super strong. I feel like Super Woman when I deadlift!
-My most frequent class I come to is…
I am a 6 am Beshemoth. With my crazy schedule I have to make time for working out. I love the 6 am crew. They are awesome to workout with!
-I have always wanted to…
Hang Glide. I guess I just want to have wings and fly.
-When I’m not crushing weights, my favorite thing to do is…
Hula Hooping has got to be one of my favorite pass times. The hoop is where I find my Zen and Center myself.
-Favorite “application of fitness” outside of the gym is…
Hiking with my family. I love hiking and exploring new places. I love our family adventures taking on a new trail in a new place.
-Favorite Pandora station…
Honestly don’t listen to Pandora that much, but I’d say my favorite would probably the 90s Hip Hop station.
-Beast mode engaged when this song comes on…
Ignorance by Paramore
