Laura Baker

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I’m from Virginia Beach where I grew up playing lots of sports, but I particularly loved soccer. I always loved the mountains more than the beach, but now I love both equally. :) I went to college at Virginia Tech where I met Tim on a blind date. Tim grew up in Fishersville and a year after moving to Northern VA for my first job, I moved to Fishersville where a traffic jam was considered to be a few cars at a stoplight. Tim and I have two boys (Owen - 19 and Ben - 15), two dogs and one cat who adopted us through the cat redistribution system (aka, she showed up one day and never left). I work in HR at Augusta Health, but I am a numbers gal, being a former CPA. I specifically do Compensation at Augusta. I enjoy reading and walking in my spare time. And building muscles at CrossFit. 

What are your current goals and why do you CrossFit?

I do CrossFit because I want to keep up my strength and stamina as I age. I want to continue to be able to walk miles and miles and be active when I’m older. My current CrossFit goals are to be consistent with my attendance and to make steady progress. I’d also love to be able to do a free standing handstand and do a strict pull up. 

What are your favorite movements? How about your least favorite? Why?

Favorite movements - Deadlifts, toes to bar, anything related to handstands,  ab work (boy do I need this!), running and rowing

My least favorite movements - BIKE (it’s stinkin HARD), front squats (again, HARD), jump rope (I’ve had kids, so….). 

What do you think is special about CrossFit Anazao?

Friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Everyone is just so nice. I don’t feel judged and I feel like everyone focuses on their own progress vs competing with others. I love that there are so many fitness levels and that there are options for everyone in the workout, I also enjoy a push / encouragement from the coaches. 

Anything else you want to add?

A couple months ago, an Amazon delivery driver had a large package to drop off at our house.  I asked him if it was heavy in case I needed to help, but he said “no, it’s not heavy.” But then he said that he needed to borrow some of my muscles. That totally made my day and it’s all because of my time at Anazao! 

A note from one of our coaches…

Laura is a ray of sunshine in every class she attends. Always pushing herself to improve and absorbing all the information given to her from coaches. She puts in the work and cheers on those around her. Laura is always open to ways to challenge herself and better her endurance and strength. As a coach, it is fun to engage and explain things to her because she takes in everything and she will quickly apply whatever we ask to her performance and she see immediate success in those moments!