March 2025 Athlete of the Month
March 2025 Athlete of the Month
Olivia Starich
Coach’s Thoughts - “Wow, she’s strong!” “Damn, she gives everything she’s got!” “She’s always trying to improve and work on something.” And finally, “she’s an extremely nice and caring person.” I’ve heard all these things said about Olivia, our March AOTM. She’s a fierce competitor, long time CrossFitter, dog mom, and full time Doctor. I know the latter comes with a crazy schedule, and she still manages to show up and give every WOD her all. It’s hard to move to a new city, join a new gym, start a new job, but we’re all impressed by you and look forward to seeing you keep crushing it in and out of the gym.
How long have you been doing CrossFit?
I started at a CrossFit-adjacent gym in 2013 after spending a summer as a backpacking guide and being routinely embarrassed by my T-Rex arms on days off when my co-workers and I would go rock climbing. It’s been a little off/on (but mostly on?) since then with moving back and forth between states for seasonal jobs — but I think this is the longest I’ve kept up with any “sport!”
Favorite Movement?
Oh squat snatches for SURE. Outside of Olympic lifting, I love a good rowing workout or alternating dumbbell snatches — I feel like I can do those for days.
What advice would you give to someone who is hesitant to start CrossFit?
If you can, sign up for a class that’s not too full, not too empty. It’ll ensure that you get some focused coaching on form, etc. as you learn new movements, but also gives you a feel for what sort of community the gym has (are people friendly/welcoming, do the members seem to know/like each other) and the coaches manage a group. Also, relax — you’re not going to get rhabdo just because you walked through the door! That’s a myth, and a hill I will die on
Favorite thing about CCF?
The people, primarily-it made moving across the country to a new place, a tough new job, and essentially zero ties to the area SO much easier. I also really dig the Core City Kids program — I came from a gym that had a mentorship program with at-risk kids, and working out with them in our in-house competitions and classes was the best thing. I haven’t gotten to do much with CCK yet, but man, what a huge way to make an impact!
What do you do when you’re not at CCF (job, hobbies, other fitness, etc)?
HA! I work… so much. I’m a surgery resident at Henry Ford, so I live at the hospital and my dog lives in Woodbridge haha. BUT it’s really satisfying and I really like what I do. Outside of CrossFit/in my other 5 minutes of free time, I enjoy cooking/baking, going to trivia and I LOVE salsa/swing dancing, but haven’t found a place to go yet (or people who want to go with me)!
What is your next big fitness goal?
Before I moved, I was SO CLOSE to a bar muscle-up — I would love to finally “get” those!
