Members of the Month: Gianna & Neal Mullane

We are very excited to announce our newest Members of the Month, Gianna & Neal Mullane! Gianna & Neal have been members of our community for years and have always been positive, outgoing, and energetic presences in the box. You can always count on them for a funny joke and a high-five at the end of a brutal workout. Gianna & Neal are proud new parents to TRIPLETS, and they are still here consistently working hard and cheering others on. Gianna worked out for as long as she could during her pregnancy, and was back as soon as her doctor cleared her (Maybe even a little sooner… Shhh!). It’s such an inspiration to see these two in here day in and day out, laughing and working as hard as ever. We are psyched to have them back, and thrilled to have them as our newest Members of the Month!

How did you get involved in CrossFit? What was your first WOD/experience?
Gianna: My best friend was getting married and we were looking to get shape for her wedding. She called me one day and said “Hey there are a bunch of people flipping a tire in a parking lot want to join?” Being her maid of honor I had to say yes! We went to our first WOD together and it was KAREN. “You want to throw what at the wall 150 times????” About 25 minutes later I finished. I didn’t know if I wanted to hug my friend or kill her!
Neal: My girlfriend at the time, Gianna, informed me that I was to sign up for CrossFit immediately because she could handle the gray hair but not the “Old Man Boobs”. My first WOD was the intro with Tina Mo and Lando who marveled at my inability to jump on a 2 foot box or squat low enough to clean up my vomit.

When did you start coming to CrossFit Southie?
Gianna: I started coming to Crossfit Southie in November 2011.
Neal: As soon as Gianna told me to, seems like a wicked long time ago, even longer since we got married.

Is this the first CrossFit you’ve worked out at / how long have you been CrossFitting for?
Gianna: No. My first box was CrossFit Rt 1 in Saugus. I switched over to Southie after this dreamy guy from Dorchester asked me to move in with him. I have been CrossFitting for about 4 years.
Neal: My first experience was going to work out with my pal Todd who is a Jacksonville Firefighter and a rampaging beast who resembles Mr. Clean. He took me to CF Total Control where toes to bar were on the menu, for everyone but me, my dish consisted of lying on the floor doing leg raises, humbling.

When did you realize that CrossFit was right for you?
Gianna: After I joined Southie. Amy and Goose don’t just run a gym they teach you a way of life. I cannot picture myself not being a member of the community. CrossFit is part of my marriage and my family. It makes me a better wife, mother and overall person. Neal and I make it work with our babies that the both of us get to come to the box at least 4 times a week.
Neal: Absolute love at first meeting, the community is made up of such great energetic people who suck the marrow out of life. I love the integrity and the competitive spirit as well.

What are you short-term and long-term CrossFit goals?
Gianna: My short-term goals are you to finish each WOD everyday a little faster than yesterday. And my long term goal is to get back to being an RX athlete.
Neal: I look up at CFS’s logo and repeat; patience, progress, perseverance, and performance every time I hit the box and internalize that life is a long journey and I need to be there for my family well into the future.

What is your biggest accomplishment?
Gianna: My biggest accomplishment is carry triplets to 35 weeks. I had no complications during my pregnancy and worked out until 25 weeks. If I wasn’t a CrossFit athlete there was no way my body could have handled growing Rocco, Regan and Rosalie!
Neal: Becoming a Dad, the moment my amazing wife gave birth to Rosalie, Rocco, and Regan.

What is your favorite / least favorite WOD/movement?
Gianna: My two favorite movements are Snatches and Double Unders (even though they make me pee my pants now!). My least favorite movement is WALL BALLS (I think I am scared from my first Karen experience).
Neal: I try not to differentiate between movements. Every WOD is a block of work that needs to be done, preferably as quickly, safely, and efficiently as possible, but regardless, it has to get done before you go home. That being said certain tribute WODs are near and dear to my heart.

What do you do for a profession outside of CrossFit?
Gianna: For now, I am a stay at home mom to my kiddos but I am actively pursuing a career in Law Enforcement.
Neal: Boston Fire Captain of Ladder Company 18 at W. Broadway & D St. Southie, stop in and buy a T-shirt and I’ll give you a tour.

What are your hobbies outside of CrossFit?
Gianna: My hobbies have changed from running marathons, Spartan Beasts, and climbing mountains to going to rhyme time, running diaper marathons and feeding babies!
Neal: I still played competitive baseball up until a few years ago, would like to do it again but I have a feeling I will be coaching Little league. I finished 4 marathons and 2 Spartan Beasts, both of which helped build mental toughness. Last year, Gianna and I ran the Boston Marathon which was so special. A beautiful tribute to the victims of the bombing and to my fellow firefighters we lost in the line of duty on 3/26/14. Rest easy Ed and Mike you guys will never be forgotten.

Do you eat Paleo or Zone? What is your favorite paleo/non-paleo meal?
Gianna: We are getting back to eating a Paleo lifestyle. It was hard when I was pregnant all three babies wanted Oreo cookies everynight! Neal is a fabulous cook and is always coming up with some new creation in the kitchen.
Neal: Still in search of the Paleo steak and cheese calzone as good as Pat’s in Dorchester. Also looking for a 500 lb. deadlift and a unicorn.

Fun fact?
Gianna: Haley and I went to the same elementary school in good old Meffa, MA.
Neal: I will make the games in the master’s division. I will be on the Senior P.G.A. tour someday. My kids have the best Mom and Clan Mullane belongs to the best box. Brian Sullivan’s locker at the firehouse is filled with locks of hair and woman’s shoes which is kind of creepy.

Strength
1. Strict Press
2-2-2-2
2. Push-press
2-2-1-1-1

WOD
15 Minute AMRAP
5 Clean and Jerks (135,95)
10 Pull-ups
50 Dubs

Level 2- (115,75), 25 dubs
Level 1 (95,45), 75 singles

Tonight’s Moskillity Class – 7:00-7:45pm in Southie Green with Coach Jones
Movement: Double Unders
Mobility Area: Feet, Calves