Giving Everything She Has: Rebecca Clingersmith

January 21, 2013

Kate Rose

"I was shocked to see the difference a couple of reps can make in the standings. I will make sure to leave it all on the table this year."

Rebecca Clingersmith’s third-place finish at last year’s Canada East Regional is impressive — especially because it was her first competition.

Standing on the podium with Michele Letendre and Camille Leblanc-Bazinet, Clingersmith says she was happy with her performance.

“I trained hard, but had no idea what to expect,” she says.

“I was shocked to see the difference a couple of reps can make in the standings. I will make sure I leave it all on the table this year.”

Her experience opened her eyes to the level of competition she'll face in 2013.

“The competition is fierce, there are some incredible athletes in Canada East,” she says. “You can't underestimate anyone,” Clingersmith says.

Now, her approach to training includes more variety and time dedicated to developing skills.

“I have seen many improvements in my Olympic lifting and have been hitting PRs regularly,” she says.

She attributes her progress to her coach, Graham O’Hagan, of CrossFit WAF (We Are Fitness).

“I am extremely lucky to be able to train in such a fantastic facility at We Are Fitness and have such a wonderful coach,” she says. “Graham O'Hagan has trained me for the past two years and I have nothing but respect for the knowledge and inspiration he provides.

“I've learned to expect the unexpected — the seven-minute burpee event last year was a big surprise. My coach has been preparing me for everything, hopefully.”

Managing her own massage clinic while she finishes her degree in nursing, Clingersmith balances training with a large workload. She's thankful for the support of the people around her that allow her to make her training a top priority.

“CrossFit is a huge part of my life and my favorite thing to do,” she says.

Finishing only one spot short of a trip to California in 2012, Clingersmith remains modest about her expectations for 2013.

“My goal this year is to give it everything I have and see how far it takes me,” she says. “To place 12th in the Open and third at Regionals was a huge achievement for me. If I can come anywhere close to doing the same thing this year, I will be happy.”