1) Who is Danielle Shanine? (where are you from, what do you do, a bit about yourself (hobbies, etc)I am a CrossFit athlete in Peoria, IL training out of CrossFit 309. I competed in the 2019 CrossFit Games as National Champion of Lebanon. I work as an accountant for a Fortune 100 corporation. I have also been training at a Muay Thai Kickboxing gym for roughly 5 years now!
2) How many years have you been training? (Including how you got started, etc)
Two words: BAREFOOT MURPH. Yes, you read that right! Here’s the story: I was training at Peoria Muay Thai (hence no shoes) and we just moved in to the same facility as CrossFit 309. The only water fountain was over by the crazy crossfitters (ha!). I casually got asked if I wanted to join in on their workout to honor a military Hero! I literally had no idea what was going on but it sounded badass. So I jumped in with my two (bare)feet. I remember thinking, “these crossfitters are out of their minds!” but little did I know I would fall in to the trap! I fell in love with it ever since! It has now been 3 crazy years!
It’s sure flown by! Never would have thought in a million years that a few years later I would be competing at the CrossFit Games! I see old videos of myself from when I first started and I love getting the constant reminder that I really started from the bottom! I had no idea how to clean an empty barbell if I’m being honest with ya! I couldn’t hold on to the rig for more than 20 seconds and I remembering thinking jumping up to it was scary as heck! Now I’m a flying monkey (I love gymnastics!) I think that’s the addicting part of CrossFit—it’s a continuous cycle of learning and progressing. It’s like one big playground in my mind, and I’m honestly still a kid at heart!
3) Whats been the most challenging/hardest part of your journey so far? and how have you overcome them (set backs, rejections, injuries, basically anything difficult that you have had to overcome)
Knock on wood, I haven’t faced any serious injuries! Other than that, I try not to take things too seriously and I’m a pretty patient person. There definitely comes frustrations of performance not meeting a level of expectation at times but I never really let it get to me. For instance, trying to get ring muscle-ups was a debacle attempting over and over again for weeks! I was probably flustered in those moments but still worked on them with a smile on my face! If you know me I think it’s safe to say I usually walk around the gym just happy to be there!
4) What does your typical workout/diet routine look like? (With any particular protocols you rate).
Typically, I hit up CrossFit at 6am, work my full-time corporate job, and if I’m in competition mode I will train again in the evenings along with swim training 2x/week. (fun fact: I did not know how to swim until I competed at Wodapalooza last year!) I currently still try to incorporate swim training at least once a week just to maintain it & as an active recovery staple!
I don’t follow a diet routine! It’s a personal preference at this time in my life. I don’t have a specific way I’m trying to look or a weight I’m trying to be.
It’s one of my favorite things to brag about CrossFit honestly! I eat whatever I want because I know I’ll burn it off, lol! In all seriousness though, I’ve always ate pretty healthy.
5) What new knowledge have you learned over this past year regarding training, lifestyle and nutrition? (And How has it changed your focus for the future).
With competing in CrossFit comes strategizing—so I’m constantly learning how my body operates, doing what’s best for me based on my strengths & weaknesses in any given workout (and making sure that still challenges me, of course).
6) Whats your favourite cheat/Treat meal?
All of it is my favorite! I LOVE food!!
7) Whats one supplement that you could not live without?
Pre-workout to pump me up! (literally lol)
8) If you had to start your Journey from scratch with both your health & physique what would you do differently and why?
I wish I found CrossFit sooner—like in high school! (I didn’t find it until I was 23 y/o.) I was always athletic—I played basketball and ran track, I was very fast (I was 20lbs lighter ha!). I always wonder what I would have been capable of back then, to have got started learning CrossFit moves in my younger body, and also just to have as an outlet!
9) Who do you look upto in the fitness industry and why?
I have some amazing gym-pals at CrossFit 309 that push me every day! I am very lucky to be surrounded by so many awesome humans.
10) If you had to give one bit of advice to people starting out what would that be?
Attempt new things with a smile on your face, stay consistent, take care of your body, & most importantly….have FUN!
11) What new goals do you have on the horizon?
To sum it up, continue to have fun and grow as an athlete!
12) Where can people find you? (website, social media accounts)
Instagram: @dshanine (Follow me!)
