NOVA members of the month!
Each month we choose an outstanding member who demonstrates the R.I.S.E. Mindset - Respect, Integrity, Self-Awareness, and Engagement.
These members have made a meaningful impact on the gym community with their consistency, positive attitude, and community involvement.
MAY 2024
Rochester | Lorenzo Guerrin
“Whenever I feel down about not seeing the results I want and feel impatient, I think of CrossFit and remember to trust the process, and the results will follow.
I am proud to be part of a community that shows up for themselves.”
Victor | Aaron Sweeny
“I lacked the motivation to go to the gym solo and needed the push that CrossFit gives. I also needed to improve my fitness level more than I could do by myself.”
APRIL 2024
Rochester - Dylan O’Hare
“My advice: Try to find little things along the journey that you can have some enjoyment in. There will be days you feel great and days where all you can do is show up and that’s ok. Don’t be so hard on yourself and be patient with yourself and your body."
Victor - Karin Jones
“NOVA has provided both an amazing community of people and quality coaching! I’ve grown a lot as an athlete and look forward to continued growth, even as I age."
MARCH 2024
Rochester - Josh Ellis
“CrossFit has made me the best version of me! I have always been the total opposite of what I am today. Drinking, partying, eating fast food, not having any control or accountability for my actions.
CrossFit and the community has shown me to go through the fire and not run from it. Don't take the easy way out. Also the community is absolutely amazing. No one will ever let you fail or quit on yourself in a CrossFit gym."
Victor - Chloe D’Angelo
“CrossFit helps my mental health, my body craves it for different reasons-stress relief, feeling like my old self, alone time. Crossfit is also a way of life in my family. It is routine. My goal is to provide the most love and be the best role model I can be to my boys. They know that going to CrossFit is a part of life and what we do. I only hope that when they are older they find something like CrossFit that helps them stay active and that they can do daily. "
FEBRUARY 2024
Victor | Amy Papke
“I have been doing CrossFit for 14 years. In those 14 years, I have been through some trying times, from unexpected surgeries to deaths of parents and I will tell you, without CrossFit, I’m not sure where I would be. CrossFit is my mental health counselor."
Rochester | Adrienne Morgan
“CrossFit helps me stay fit so I can play and keep up with my four grandchildren!.”
“My advice to new members - stay committed and work with the coaches to achieve your goals. You will be amazed at how quickly you will make progress.”
JANUARY 2024
Melissa Valdez | Rochester
“Crossfit positively impacts my daily life by pushing me out of my comfort zone. If I have learned one thing from CrossFit it is that we are all capable of more than we think we are and even though something is hard, does not mean you can't do it."
“The Legends” | Victor
How has CrossFit positively impacted your daily life?
[Doug] “Movement – after a session I feel more fluid in movements.”
[Gerry] “Social interaction!! It gets me out of the house….and off the floor.”
[Jim] “Helps me get in and out of a chair.”
[Polly] “Improved strength, I used to avoid strength exercises.”
[Ruth] “Making friends and adapting physically to new situations.”
[Judy] “Riding my bike.”
[Linda] “Walking without a cane.”
DECEMBER 2023
Marie Kutny | Rochester
“I've greatly enjoyed my time here. I've met so many lovely people and the workouts have gotten me out of my comfort zone. So what I needed!
One of my most memorable moments was participating in the Crossfit Open for the first time. I was so nervous but the members, coaches, and judges were so encouraging. I cannot wait to sign up again!”
Erin Reynolds | Victor
"Every day is an opportunity to prove to yourself that you can do hard things. And while you’re in the gym battling through whatever stress or anxiety you’ve accumulated throughout the week, the NOVA Fitness community will be cheering you through the highs, supporting you through the lows, and showing up for each other for everything in between."
NOVEMBER 2023
Danielle Hill | Rochester
"For 13 years I have put my kids first and it was time for me to not make any more excuses. CrossFit is something I am proud of, regardless of how many PRs I have or how many burpees I can do!"
Jessi Brockway | Rochester
"CrossFit has positively impacted my life physically, mentally, and socially. I have met a lot of new, wonderful people (both coaches and peers). I have learned new ways to move my body and feel strong. I definitely feel more confident and more knowledgeable since coming to NOVA."
OCTOBER 2023
Adam Henderson | Victor
“The biggest impact CrossFit has had on me is feeling better overall and losing 30lbs. I have a lot more energy to do things I love with my family and friends.”
Lauren Jimerson | Rochester
“I have ptsd and CrossFit helps me manage it in so many ways. Figure out what your "why" is and then commit to showing up consistently. It makes it easier to show up when your "why" is bigger than you -especially on days that you don't feel like it. And be patient with yourself because change is a process.”
SEPTEMBER 2023
Willo Glynn | Victor
"CrossFit has saved my life. For 2 years I avoided everything - PTSD was the devil. I needed something that would help me physically and mentally. I have started to adjust back into a normal life. Whenever my PTSD symptoms start to rise I hit the gym and my day gets better."
Kristina Battle | Rochester
"CrossFit has helped me feel stronger than I ever have in my life. It helps me block out and forget all the other crazy stuff going on in my life and gives me an hour to do something for me "
AUGUST 2023
Chloe D’Angelo | Victor
“Don’t forget that you made it to class! The work out may be really hard or annoying but remember that today you can move your body and you made the time to get there. You got it done!"
Heather Traub | Rochester
"The amount of amazing athletes this gym has is super impressive. I feel stronger just standing next to them! I am shooting to be the NOVA hype girl. The community here at Nova is pretty amazing. I am grateful to be a part of it!”
july 2023
Mike Donnelly | Victor
"CrossFit can be intimidating, but the NOVA coaches and members are awesome. We celebrate everyone's accomplishments and all you need to do is keep showing up and trying and you'll have your own cheerleading squad before you know it."
Beth Joy | Rochester
“I would tell new members to not get discouraged. Growth takes time and can be frustrating, but every workout moves you forward and makes you better. The community that encourages you to keep pushing is worth coming for.”
JUNE 2023
Hellen Bitetti | Victor
“I look forward to going to NOVA every evening so that I can relieve stress, improve my fitness, and socialize with friends."
Anna Wright | Rochester
“I always feel so accomplished when I start my day with a workout at NOVA; it leads me to make healthier choices throughout the day, like drinking more water, focusing on protein, and prioritizing sleep so I can recover for the next workout."
MAY 2023
Jen Ayotte | Victor
“My mindset has completely changed and I wholeheartedly believe in myself now at 45 more than I ever have before. I find myself saying ‘ok I got this, or I CAN do this a whole lot more!’”
Mike Grolling | Rochester
“Telling others that I will “see you tomorrow” gives me enough motivation throughout the day to make healthier choices, because otherwise, I know the next day’s workout will feel that much worse. And when I do indulge, I know I’ve earned every last sip and bite because I’ve busted my ass in the gym!"
APRIL 2023
Sarah Ridley | Victor
“CrossFit has completely changed my life! I have created so many friendships, changed my eating habits, pushed myself, and changed my physical appearance, all while setting great examples for my boys. ”
Joanna Samuel | Rochester
“NOVA Fitness has positively impacted so many aspects of my life; From eating, sleeping, and daily habits, to even my overall mindset. This community, in particular, has given me a greater belief in my own capacity to set and reach goals that make me a better wife, mother, teacher, and athlete."
MARCH 2023
Wilson Burgos | Victor
“I was frightened to join a CrossFit program at first, thinking that it may be too challenging. My favorite is seeing how the coaches think up alternative exercises for me. I smile and think, here we go…can I do this?”
Sarah Plantenberg | Rochester
“CrossFit has completely changed all aspects of my life. I continued to go back and quickly got addicted to the changes I saw in my body, but more importantly my mind. So, to answer the question, CrossFit has helped me be a better version of me.”
FEBRUARY 2023
Liliam Martinez | Victor
“The biggest change has definitely been my mental health - before NOVA I was in a very dark place mentally.”
Garry Henry | Rochester
“My favorite part is the community. Everyone wants each other to succeed, cheers each other on in the workouts, and the chats before and after class are fantastic.”
january 2023
Meg Switzer | Rochester
“How we choose to think about ourselves and our ability in the gym applies to daily life and I’ve found through CrossFit that your mindset truly makes a difference in your ability.”
Jen Ewing | Victor
“CrossFit has kept me alive. Not only do I get to start my day with friends, but I also get to make physical and mental gains. Each day brings a new opportunity to breathe, develop, and live for my family!”
DECEMBER 2022
Jeremy Judkins | Rochester
“One way CrossFit has had a positive impact on my daily life are the friends I have made throughout the years. Friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Corey Petrie | Victor
“Ask questions. Learn proper body mechanics. Don't compare yourself to what others are lifting. Make small achievable goals. Enjoy the process.”
november 2022
Cody Duge | Rochester
“CrossFit gives me an outlet and something to look forward to every day after work. It makes most of the stressors of the day melt away and puts me in a better mood.”
Jeff Polo | Victor
“CrossFit has kept me active and healthier than I have ever been. It has allowed me to be active in my kids' lives and mine!”
october 2022
Alicia Quartaro | Rochester
“Since starting CrossFit I have learned that you create your own limits in this life, and that if you want to do something you can. You just have to believe in yourself! CrossFit has also brought me some of the most fulfilling and loving friendships and I hope to keep those forever.”
Sydney VanWinkle | Victor
“CrossFit has made me more aware of my overall health and I am making better choices that extend further than just the gym.”
september 2022
Mike O’Hare | Rochester
“Every day after leaving the gym in the morning, I feel like I accomplished my first major task for the day, which puts me in a good mood and helps me to be more productive for the rest of the day.“
Ludybeth Calderone | Victor
“CrossFit literally changed my life for the better in every way possible. I have all the energy to go to work, the gym, cook, and spend time with my pets. There are also days that I do more like responding to fires and drills, Jiu Jitsu, and long motorcycle rides.”
AUGUST 2022
Joelle Hill | Rochester
CrossFit has impacted my daily life by bringing so many wonderful people into it that I otherwise would never have known. I have made so many new friends in the gym that are now a big part of my life outside of the hour we workout together. Feeling strong-ish is cool but doing something you enjoy with your friends is awesome.
Jessica Bright | Victor
“I love Nova because all of the coaches are so energetic, welcoming and encouraging and the classes are fun and dynamic!”
JULY 2022
Eddie Doyle | Rochester
CrossFit constantly pushes me to be better than I was the day before. The only person you are up against is you. I think there's a power in regularly forcing yourself into daily physical discomfort. It makes the hardest part of your day something you can control, that way the things out of your control become much less stressful and daunting. CrossFit has been an absolute game changer for me not only physically but mentally as well with my performance in the fire department and everyday life.
Nate Driscoll | Victor
Having accountability to myself, my family, and the great group of people at NOVA has had a positive impact on my health today and I can see it continuing in the future. My kids are young now but I am really looking forward to traveling and playing golf with them for as long as I can.
June 2022
Nate Brooks | Rochester
CrossFit provides discipline and structure to my daily routine. Wanting to perform at my best in the gym bleeds into the rest of my day. I find myself being more mindful of not only my diet but also my sleep, recovery and overall well-being.
Melinda Fithen | Victor
"I’ve been to multiple CrossFit gyms in different cities - I hope more people get to see how great the new NOVA location and the coaching staff is."