Levittown resident Paula Moore, 56, finished in 20th place worldwide in the CrossFit Master’s Division 55-59, earning her a spot at this year’s games held in Carson, CA on July 23-25. She had been preparing to make the big trip with her coach Loui Cavallini, co-owner of the Levittown CrossFit Revenge.
Moore was stunned by her success. “ I honestly don’t think the reality of the whole thing has sunk in yet,” she said. “I probably won’t really believe it until I walk into the stadium.”
She had been judged by Levittown CrossFit coaches Cavallini, Vanessa Dooley, and Jonathan Saragossi over more than a month. She completed an intense five-week “Workout of the Day” (WOD) routine, adding each week a new routine that involved cardio, weightlifting, or endurance.
“Watching the Leadership Board for five weeks was just so surreal. When I saw my name first appeared, it was crazy and unbelievable. It wasn’t until maybe the third WOD that I thought I just might be able to do this,” she said. “I never realized I was so competitive.”
Moore, a nurse in a residential facility for children diagnosed with autism and MS, and a wife and mother of two grown sons, is a health fanatic with an athletic background in track. She became introduced to CrossFit while taking boxing lessons with a personal trainer. She became very passionate about the workouts, so she joined the Levittown CrossFit Revenge in 2011. Now, the athlete practices CrossFit exercises with her coach sometimes as often as five days a week.
CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program designed for universal scalability, good for any committed individual regardless of experience. Some activities involve sit-ups, pull-ups, weight lifting, burpees, and other activities in a repetitious motion.
“I love CrossFit because the workouts are different and challenging, and the WOD can be modified, so success follows,” Moore continued, “I also love the staff and the people that I work out with. They’ve become close to me, and they are there for me. A community like this doesn’t occur in a typical gym.”
The soon-to-be CrossFit competitor has had the support of her coaches and gym mates since she began going to the gym in 2011. Once Vanessa Dooley heard about Moore’s opportunity, she pushed her to compete in the games. Her gym mates are also excited, raising money with an event called “We Want Moore” and selling T-shirts to help pay for her trip to California.
“Paula always walks into Revenge with the best attitude a coach can ask for. Not only is she ready to perform at her best at all times, but she also never loses the sense of having fun,” Cavallini said. “She is quite possibly one of the most humble individuals I’ve ever met. While working alongside her I’ve grown a great appreciation and love for her kind nature and genuine character.”
Moore plans on having a great time competing in something she loves. “I’m really nervous because this is my first big competition, and it is going to be especially intense with three workouts a day,” she said. “I just want to come out of it knowing I had a fun time, and to also live up to my own expectations and those of everyone supporting me.”
After the competition Moore plans on taking a week to rest, and letting time go by to decide whether she wants to compete again next year. Right now she is living in the moment, and she cannot wait to represent Levittown and CrossFit Revenge.
To see Moore’s results visit http://games.crossfit.com. The Master’s Division was streamed live.
