Miranda Oldroyd

Hi Miranda, as the 1^st and certainly not the last female coach we will have on the Coach Hub. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions.

1)      Miranda for people outside of Crossfit and any one in Crossfit that lives under a rock, can you tell us a bit about your back ground in fitness?

My background....goes WAY back!  I started teaching Spin classes when I was 17 years old!  Then I worked my way through other group fitness classes and personal training over the course of 8 years!  It was because I was bored out of my mind that my husband and I found CrossFit in the Fall of 2007.  We opened the first CrossFit affiliate in Salt Lake City, Utah in the Spring of 2008, CrossFit 801.  Then in the Fall of ’08 we started coaching at the Level 1 CrossFit Seminars.  I have since had the opportunity to travel all over the world with CrossFit.  I have been to nearly every state and also to Sweden, Korea, Australia, Canada, Iraq and Afghanistan coaching.  I also had the opportunity to work with ESPN on the Games coverage this year, which was a trip!  I feel so lucky and I feel a great deal of responsibility with the part I have played in some of that stuff!  What I REALLY want is to make it back to the Games myself.  I was 5th in my Region this year.

2)      You run a gym, coach new trainers, train yourself and compete in the games, how do you find time to achieve all you have?

We actually sold our gym about a year ago and recently moved to Santa Cruz, CA because my husband is working full time for CF Media.  BUT...it has been QUITE the juggling act to do all of it.  The travel is especially hard on the training, but luckily I am also surrounded with the best coaches in the biz and a group of HIGHLY motivated people.

3)      You do a lot of strength training which is vital for keeping muscle and bone density. How important is strength training for women?

Regardless of what your goals are as a female, you are missing out on HUGE progress and gains if you are not weight training.  Before CrossFit I competed in and kind of hung around the bodybuilding/fitness comp community.  My “weight training” back then was all isolation and machines.  Back then it was REALLY hard for me to get and stay lean and also to gain any muscle in my upper body.  My body has COMPLETELY transformed with the movements and loading we use in CrossFit....and continues to as well.  I am more compact and also more balanced in the way my muscle looks!  On top of that, I am SO confident as a woman knowing that I can do stuff that MOST men in the world can’t do!  There is empowerment for everyone in CrossFit, but I am SUPER passionate about what it can do for women!

4)      What piece of advice would you give to any budding fitness enthusiast?

Ask questions.  Continue to learn.  I have always refused to just be satisfied with “one way”.  I found CrossFit through continuing to search for better ways.  Also, master the basics.  Whether it’s movements like the “simple” air squat or the simple concepts of nutrition.  The foundation that the basics provide are MUCH more important that small details!  VIRTUOSITY!

5)      What do you find most challenging about your job?

The travel for sure is the most challenging part.  It can be challenging for training, and challenging for other reasons too!  Sometimes I get tired of leaving my husband and my little dogs for 2 nights out of the week!  But, it’s always worth it when we get to the location and all of the participants are SO fired up!

6)      What do you find most enjoyable about your job?

Again, just how fired up everyone is every weekend.  It never fails!  CrossFitters are CrossFitters and we get to hear the most amazing stories!  Everyone is always so grateful to us for coming out.  It fuels me!

7)      If you could only pick 2 exercises in a Metcon and you were looking to get the best full body work-out. What would it be and why?

Hmmm..Fran?  Thrusters and Pull ups??  Just because you get all of the good stuff.  You get a squat which is foundational!  You get a press in the thrusters.  You get a pull in the pull ups! AND of course you get some Large Loads Long Distances...QUICKLY!  Ps...I hate Fran.

8)      If you could only teach one exercise, what would it be and why?

Air squat.  This movement transfers to SO MUCH!!  It requires so many of the elements that are crucial to human/athletic movement.  It is also left out of A LOT of people’s programming!  Doesn’t get enough love!

9)      You have worked and met some impressive coaches and athletes. Who has inspired you the most?

The most inspirational big name athlete/coach is Mr. Chris Spealler.  I have never met anyone more passionate and willing to do whatever it takes....there is NO GIVE UP in him.  He is a close friend of mine and my coach.  BUT, I have met COUNTLESS other athletes who inspire me greatly as well!  Even those who will never make it to the Games.  Older athletes, athletes who have lost a lot of weight or have overcome obstacles.  Those are the true inspirations!  Oh yeah...and Becca Voigt.....another person who just NEVER QUITS!

10)  Who do you look towards for furthering your education?

Anywhere and anything!  You have to be careful about not getting stuck just reading stuff IN CrossFit!  There is good stuff happening in every specialty and in every corner of the fitness world.  We just try to pull the best from every group!

11)  Before we wrap things up, what is next for Miranda in 2012?

I will continue to work for CrossFit and I am dedicated to spreading the word around the world!  BUT...you will hopefully see me in the GAMES...NOT behind the Mic....behind the barbell!