Maria

“I am a 26 year old from Venezuela. I have a degree in Civil Engineering and a flight attendant license. I am currently working for a telecommunications company in the project department, making autocad drawings for the design of optical fibers. I am a nature lover and I enjoy hiking and camping. I like discovering new restaurants and spending time with my family and friends. I am a faithful believer in the power of a smile and that we can always help those who need it.”

How and when were you first introduced to CrossFit?

“It was in the year 2015 when I was preparing to climb the Roraima Tepuy (one of the most breathtaking mountains) for the first time, then I went back in 2017 for a few months and after moving to Chicago, in 2021 I was looking for a physical activity to do and the first thing that came to my mind was CrossFit.”

What is something that surprised you about CrossFit when you first started?

"I love the idea that in an hour of training you can exercise various parts of the body and that each class breaks the limitations that we inadvertently put on ourselves. One day you say you want to lift X amount of weight and little by little you achieve it."

What is your favorite movement? Least favorite?

"My favorite is the squats in all their variations and my least favorite is the handstand, it scares me a bit but we are working on improving it."

What is something you have done in MR that you never thought you'd do?

“What has filled me the most with pride is being able to climb the rope.”

What is your favorite part about MR?

"It's definitely the diversity of the members/coaches. From day 1 they have made me feel like one of the group! And how much fun they are, you will never get bored at MR."

What would you tell someone who is considering joining CrossFit at MR?

"They must take advantage of the introduction class. That first class is highly recommended because they teach you several CrossFit movements and the sense of community is felt instantly. Have an open mind when attending the first class because each movement can be adapted to your abilities, and you will be accompanied by people who encourage you to do better each time."

Along with her goals in the gym, Maria has been working for seven months on nutrition goals and changing her relationship with food.

“At first, my goal in working with a nutrition coach was to lose weight, but little by little I understood that weight is just a number. From there, my goal has taken me every month to a different objective, the main ones being to lower the percentage of fat and increase muscle mass. I haven't reached 100% of my goals yet but I'm working on it, although the results are clearly very visible.”

What is the most important thing you learned from working with the nutrition coach?

“Food is the fuel of your body, by eating well your body feels good, with more energy, with more strength. The weight is just a number, the results will be visible by making photographic comparisons. Food and exercise are the key factors for a desired result. It is always better to seek expert help and always have faith in the process.”

We are so proud of Maria for working so hard and crushing her goals in and out of the gym. But that isn’t all. Maria just launched her own business: Mawari Activewear.

“My love for nature led me to do a lot of tourism in my country, Venezuela. There I had the incredible opportunity to climb the Roraima Tepuy twice and I was very surprised by the fact that clothing was a very important factor for a successful trip. From there the idea was born: creating a clothing brand that adapts to any climatic and physical condition, that allows perspiration and quick drying, as well as providing sun protection for our skin without forgetting style.”

What makes Mawari different from other apparel companies?

“It is a brand created by my mother and I through love. We want women to feel beautiful and at the same time comfortable that they can wear unique, durable and excellent quality pieces, with materials that come from our Amazon forest. Our pieces provide sun protection, comfortable fit, compression, quick drying, excellent breathability with comfort and style in the same piece.”

What is it like being a business owner?

“It is quite challenging since I have to fulfill my other obligations, but also comforting to know that we are providing excellent quality products to our community that we have been creating little by little.”

Check out Mawari Activewear at mawariactivewear.com