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From Coach Pete: Our newest spotlight is someone that I have personally known for well over 10 years. Taylor and I worked at the same gym when I was getting started. I went to her wedding and eventually we became neighbors. Ive had the pleasure of watching her grow through the years into the amazing person she is today! Taylor is a dedicated mother, loving wife, and friend to just about everyone she has ever met. Her kindness is rare and her ability to love is plentiful. She truly is a great human and we are very fortunate to have her and her family in our community. Our gym is special, but it’s not because of stuff. It’s special because we have some of the best people under one roof, working hard towards a common goal. Taylor, thank you for trusting me and our coaches with your fitness!

1 – What is your why? What gets you out of bed in the morning?

My ‘why’ is first of course for my husband and three kids. They are my ‘why’ for waking up and living every day. My ‘why’ for training is really for my own mental health and clarity. I like going to the gym first thing in the morning because it sets me up mentally positive for the day. And what gets me out of bed to train specifically…. it’s honestly to make myself proud and to show up for myself. I think my favorite part about waking up to train is my mental control and discipline. That’s something newer for me that I’ve mastered the past year and keep getting better at everyday- it’s the mental discipline. No one is telling me to get up and train- it’s me and my own self that pushes myself past the uncomfortable feeling every single day to wake up and train and work hard!

2 – What is your definition of success?

  Ever since I was little – all I ever wanted in life was to be a mother and have my own babies and a husband. That was my goal… and to me, that was the definition of success. I couldn’t wait to grow up and have my own stable, loving, family that I would build with a safe and loving husband. I was fortunate to achieve that early on, and I am beyond grateful for that.  Now that I’ve fulfilled that, success is about continuing to be a good mother, caring and loving wife, and then personal consistency, discipline, and showing up for myself no matter what. I also think it’s about being true to myself and living in a way I can be proud of. Not perfect, just fully myself.

3 – If you could give your younger self advice, what would be?

Oh my goodness. So much. I literally think about this all the time, because raising children is a constant reminder that I was once their age, and reminds me of my different experiences and how I handled them, and what I know now that could have helped me back then. So anyway, to sum it all up- if I could give my younger self advice, it would be stay true to myself no matter what, and to never lose hope. I would also let myself know that I am capable of so much more than I ever thought.

4 – What is your biggest goal right now? Could be life or fitness or anything.

I have 2 current goals…one for my family and one for myself. I guess I kind of said this in question 2, but my current family goal is to raise my children to be decent human beings that can positively contribute to society and live healthy and fulfilling lives.  My current fitness goal is to stay consistent and keep getting stronger… physically and mentally. I want to keep challenging myself, hitting milestones like stringing my double unders together, climbing the rope all the way up, doing pull-ups unassisted, and lifting heavier. I’d love to be able to RX more workouts, but for me, it’s less about perfection and more about showing up, putting in the work, and proving to myself that I can keep growing every day.

5 – If you could have lunch with anyone ever, who would it be and why?

I think I’d pick Candace Owens. It’s not about politics… I’m not into that. I just really admire her strength and discipline, and how she sticks to her beliefs no matter what. I think it would be fun to discuss conspiracies with her! She is very outspoken and doesn’t care if people don’t like her. She is also respectful of other people and their beliefs, even if she doesn’t agree with them- which I think is an amazing quality! She is very intelligent and truthful, and I really admire that about her. I’d love to hear about her journey, what keeps her focused, and how she pushes through challenges. I think it would be so inspiring to connect with someone who has that kind of mental clarity.

6 – What is your favorite part of training?

I love the mental challenge the most, which is funny because that’s something I used to really dislike. Now, I thrive on pushing past what makes me uncomfortable and surprising myself with what I’m capable of. I also love seeing the physical gains and healthy changes in my body. Walking past the mirror and really noticing the progress that comes from all the hard work makes the mental hurdles worth it! On top of that, I absolutely love the community at Roaster Barbell. Everyone is so kind, encouraging, and helpful, and being part of that has definitely propelled my growth as an athlete. And of course, there’s nothing better than finishing a workout, hitting a PR, or just feeling like you’ve truly improved!

7 – What is your least favorite part of training?

I’m having a difficult time thinking of what I don’t like about training. I guess once in a while, there will be a workout programmed that I don’t like… BUT I still make myself show up and get it done…. and that is really the greatest feeling- completing a workout you were dreading, but you got it done! 

8 – What has been your biggest obstacle on your fitness journey?

My biggest obstacle has been my health. A few years ago, I went through cancer and endured extensive chemotherapy, radiation, and a stem cell transplant. The treatments saved my life, but they left me with residual health effects that sometimes make training physically challenging. On top of that, I manage several medical conditions that most people don’t see, and just this past June, I was hospitalized after having a stroke. Even with all of that, I’ve learned to focus on what I CAN do rather than what I can’t. Every time I show up to the gym, push through a workout, or hit a milestone, it’s a reminder of my strength and resilience. Those obstacles don’t define me…they just make the progress and discipline I’ve built even more meaningful.

9 – What would your ideal day consist of?

My ideal day would start with me waking up early, going to the gym and then taking my kids (Hadley, Nova, and Sebastian) and my poms to Starbucks(or any café) for coffees and pup cups. Then we’d go somewhere fun, like a museum or fun activity, then have my hubby(Ryan) take me to a nice restaurant, then come home at the end of the day and have the whole family snuggle up on the couch while we watch our current favorite family show, 911. 🙂

10 – What is something that no one knows about you?

A few years ago, in 2014, I was on a couple episodes of WWE Raw on live TV. I even got paid for it! I got to be in one of the wrestler’s entourage and walk/dance him out to the boxing ring and back. During that experience, I got to work with actor Kevin Heart AND John Cena! I have pictures and videos of this experience deep in my Instagram! 🙂

11 – Who is your biggest inspiration?

I’d say my 22-year-old self inspires me, the person who went through cancer treatment and fought for her life(all while pregnant and having 2 additional toddlers at home!). That experience showed me just how fragile and precious life is. Remembering what I went through motivates me to keep showing up, pushing through challenges, and appreciating the moments that matter, and I hope it can remind others that they’re capable of more than they think, too.

12 – What brought you to Roaster Barbell?

Pete is actually what brought me to Roaster Barbell. I’ve known him since 2012, about as long as I’ve known my husband, Ryan. I first met Pete when I was working front desk at Powerhouse Gym in Berea, where he was a personal trainer and coach. We became friends there, and he even came to mine and Ryan’s wedding in 2013! Fun fact–I still have the wedding gift Pete gave us and use it every day! 🙂 A few years later, I heard he had opened Roaster Barbell, but at that time I wasn’t training due to my cancer treatments and ongoing health issues. Then, by total chance, Pete and I ended up buying houses on the same street and becoming neighbors. Seeing him and Suzi every day looking so athletic and fit definitely inspired me to join his gym, and that’s when I finally joined Roaster Barbell in 2021!

13 – How has the gym influenced your life outside of the gym?

Although I’ve been a member since 2021, I didn’t start taking the gym seriously until the beginning of last year, and that’s when Roaster Barbell really started to influence my life outside of the gym. Now, everything revolves around my training schedule. I’ve made working out a true priority this past year, and it’s helped me so much mentally and physically. Training has also pushed me to take better care of myself in other ways. I’ve cleaned up my diet to support my goals, and I haven’t had a drink since June of 2025 because alcohol doesn’t serve me or help me feel my best. It’s also helped me build healthier habits, like getting better sleep and going to bed earlier so I can train harder and recover properly. Overall, Roaster Barbell has helped me create a lifestyle centered around growth, discipline, and self-respect.

14 – What advice would you give someone who is on the fence about CrossFit and Roaster Barbell?

If you’re on the fence about starting CrossFit or joining Roaster Barbell, my advice is to just try it. Roaster Barbell is such a wonderful community of people who all share the same goal of bettering themselves and living a healthy lifestyle. Everyone starts somewhere, and no one expects you to walk in knowing what you’re doing or being the strongest person in the room. What matters is that you show up,  because once you do, you’ll realize how welcoming and supportive the community is. I remember when I first joined, Pete told me something that stuck with me: there will always be somebody better than you, and there will always be somebody worse than you. That perspective really helped me let go of comparison. I was intimidated at first too, but now I can’t imagine my life without it.

15 – If you could go anywhere in the world for a day where would you go and why?

I’d love to go to Greece, especially the Aegean Islands. My grandparents and family came from there, and I’ve never been. It just looks absolutely stunning, and I think it would be amazing to experience the beauty, the history, and the culture there. Even if just for a day!:)

16 – You have 1 guaranteed wish, what would it be?

If I had one wish, I would wish that my three children each had a healthy, fulfilling, safe, and happy life. Honestly, the thing I want most is for them to have a better life than I did and to just be happy. I want the world to be kind to them and for them to always feel safe and loved.

17 – What is one important lesson you learned the hard way?

I’ve learned that your health and body are precious, and you really can’t take them for granted. During Covid and all the time spent quarantining at home, I ended up gaining a lot of weight, and losing it was way harder than I expected. I wish I hadn’t given in to overindulging in food and alcohol, because those habits were tougher to break than I thought. It taught me the importance of being consistent, disciplined, and mindful about how I take care of myself… lessons I carry with me every day now.

18 – What makes you the most happy?

My husband, Ryan. He is my home and my safe place. He does so much for me, and I love him so much. He is also a wonderful father, and it makes me so happy that my children have such a sweet, loving, and present dad!

19 – You can have anything, what is your ideal meal?

Beef brisket, crab legs, and mac and cheese:) With an appetizer of nachos and fried mozzarella sticks!

20 – Is there anything else you would like to add?

I just want to say how truly grateful I am for Pete. I honestly don’t think I would be on this health journey or as successful as I am without him. He has believed in me and invested in me over the nearly five years I’ve been coming to Roaster Barbell, and that means so much. I appreciate the little things, like his texts reminding me to show up, keeping me in check, and helping me stay on track. Pete is not only a great coach, but also a genuinely amazing person, and he holds a very special place in my heart.

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All lifters will have three attempts at a max bench press and three attempts at a max deadlift. For your bench press rep to count, you must complete the entire rep unassisted after you have received a lift out of the rack. The barbell must touch your shirt and return back to full extension before racking. Your glutes must remain in contact with the bench throughout the entire lift. Any loss of contact with the bench will disqualify that lift. For your deadlift, you will be allowed to use lifting straps in you want to. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your group is scheduled to lift so you can warmup. When you arrive, please check-in at the scoring table to weigh in. Your weight will be factored into the Wilks Formula to determine the winner.

Text Coach Pete with any questions or concerns. Thank you!

440-503-6712

There will be some more details communicated by Friday regarding your workouts. If you have any questions or concerns please text me and I’ll do my best to help!

From Coach Pete: Congratulations to our newest spotlight, Talia! The past year with Talia has been nothing short of exciting. Her ability to take coaching and apply it to her training has been instrumental to her success. From handstand push-ups to muscle ups to double unders and weightlifting technique, she has taken on the challenges put in front of her and she has risen to the occasion every time. Her energy and positive attitude in the gym has helped make our mornings a little more special everyday. From a coaching standpoint, Talia is everything you want in an athlete. Talia, your progress is far from surprising and we look forward to watching your continued success! Thank you for your help in make our community so special. And thank you for trusting me with your fitness. #teamroasterbarbell

1) What is your why? What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Every day is an opportunity to become a better version of myself, and I want to live a fulfilling life. But even more importantly, I just want to be happy and grateful for the life I have. One of my resolutions for 2025 was to take at least one photo a day of something I’m grateful for—it’s my own photographic version of a gratitude journal. At the end of each day, I compile the photos and post them on Instagram. The little things are the big things! I’m enjoying where I am while also embracing that there’s always room to grow.

2) What is your most meaningful goal? Could be life or fitness or anything.

I want to register for the CrossFit Open next year as an Rx athlete! I can’t believe I actually just said that out loud… Guess it’s time to start working on those muscle-ups!

3) If you could have lunch with anyone ever, who would it be and why?

I’ve never had a good answer to this question—but I think Kelly Clarkson is pretty cool. Growing up, I always wanted to be a famous singer, and I loved watching her on The Voice. Maybe I could feature on her next single or something—who knows?!

4) What is your favorite part of training?

I love that CrossFit has no ceiling—it’s not something you’ll ever completely master. You can always increase the intensity: lift heavier, move faster, learn a new skill, etc. There’s an opportunity for growth every day, and that’s what makes training so exciting!

5) What is your least favorite part of training?

If we’re talking about a specific movement—overhead squats, every time, without a doubt.

In general, it’s extremely frustrating when, mentally, I’m ready to do more but physically my body won’t allow it—when the weight is supposed to feel easy but ends up feeling ridiculously heavy that day. I’m learning that progress truly isn’t linear, and some days are just better than others!

6) What has been your biggest obstacle on your fitness journey?

Getting consistent with double-unders has been on my CrossFit bucket list for so long! Learning to accept failure and keep trying—“even if you have to suck for a little while,” as Coach Pete would say—has been a challenge. I’m working on getting out of my own head and embracing failure as part of the process, but it hasn’t been easy!

7) What would your ideal day consist of?

In a perfect world, I’m waking up in Lake Tahoe, enjoying a freshly brewed cup of black coffee as I sit outside on top of a mountain with my pittie, Nala. Then I’d head to the local CrossFit gym and crush a workout—preferably with some clean and jerks and maybe a few rope climbs. I’d spend the afternoon by the lake, soaking up the sun, paddleboarding, and jamming out to some country music. I’d end the day grilling out with the people I love most, playing a few board games, and enjoying s’mores by the fire.

8) What is something that no one knows about you?

I have a serious candy addiction—specifically sour candy. Tracking macros is all fun and games until there’s a bag of Sour Patch Kids in front of me. Zero self-control.

9) Who is your biggest inspiration?

The women at Roaster Barbell are badass! (Am I allowed to swear on here?) Being surrounded by strong, confident women every day is incredibly inspiring. They say you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with, and since I spend a lot of my time at Roaster, I’d be pretty content being the average of our athletes here!

10) What brought you to Roaster Barbell?

My brother, Chad, has done CrossFit for a long time and had visited Roaster a handful of times while back home in Cleveland. I’d always admired the sport and had been thinking about joining for years. I spent a few years at TITLE Boxing Club, then Orangetheory Fitness—but after a while, I found myself getting bored with the workouts. Getting to classes became a struggle, and I started falling out of a fitness routine.

I spent a few months last spring trying the whole “work out in my home gym” thing before realizing that wasn’t working either. I signed up for my first-ever 5K in June and told myself I’d reach out to Coach Pete once that was over. I completed my 5K on the morning of June 22nd, emailed Pete that evening to sign up for the intro classes, and took my first class at Roaster Barbell two days later. I’ve been hooked ever since!

11) How has the gym influenced your life outside of the gym?

To make progress in the gym, you have to be disciplined. You do it when you’re happy, sad, angry, tired—you show up every day, no excuses (maybe a little complaining, but don’t tell Coach Pete). That discipline has carried over into my life outside the gym, shaping a lot of the habits and routines I’ve developed.

Since starting at Roaster Barbell, I’ve been living a much healthier lifestyle: better nutrition, proper hydration, more sleep, less drinking—the list goes on. Not only do I feel the best I’ve ever felt physically, but it’s also had a huge impact on my mental health!

12) What advice would you give someone who is on the fence about CrossFit and Roaster Barbell?

Honestly? You can come up with a million reasons not to do it—you just need one reason to start. You don’t have to feel ready, you don’t need a certain physique, and you don’t need to have an established workout routine—you just have to start.

The greatest thing about CrossFit is that it’s infinitely scalable, and if you put in the time, you’ll see results. The hardest part is getting started—and then you’ll be hooked!

13) If you could go anywhere in the world for a day, where would you go and why?

Bora Bora! It might sound ridiculous, but the first time I heard of Bora Bora was in The Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan. Ever since, it’s been on my bucket list—maybe because it’s fun to say, but also because the island looks absolutely stunning!

14) Is there anything else you would like to add?

I’m coming up on my one-year anniversary at the gym in June, and it’s incredible to reflect on all the progress I’ve made since last year. Joining Roaster Barbell has truly changed my life, and I can’t thank Coach Pete and the entire Roaster community enough for all the support and encouragement.

Cheers to one year down—and many, many more to come!

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Hey Team!

The 2025 CrossFit Games are right around the corner and we couldn’t be happier for our lastest qualifier, THERESA DEMICH! To qualify and compete at the CrossFit Games is no small feat. After edging out thousands of women worldwide, Theresa finds herself sitting within the top 20 women worldwide in her age group of 65-69 years old. Theresa and the rest of the field will compete in person for the title of “Fittest on Earth” August 21-24 in Columbus, OH at the Columbus Convention Center. We would love to fill the arena with your support!

Also competing this year is Carrie Mayle who earned her 2nd trip to the CrossFit Games. Carrie will be competing in the 40-44 year old age group.

To show our support for Theresa, we have a limited run of Demich CrossFit Games jerseys available for pre-order. Pre-order will begin now with a deadline of Monday July 28th at Noon. Each item will be $25 with all profits going directly to Theresa to support her on her trip. Please join us in supporting Theresa for her 1st CrossFit Games appearance!

To pre-order, simply email Coach Pete at ptaylor@mail.bw.edu with your order. Cash preferred, to be collected upon shirt pick-up.

From Coach Pete: Today’s spotlight has been years in the making. When Chaz began his CrossFit journey with us in the summer of 2022, Im pretty sure he was only here because his wife made him. I always tell people, the hardest part is walking through the door. Fast forward almost three years and Chaz is a daily staple on the attendance sheet and has made massive changes to his activity and lifestyle. Nutrition and exercise are the obvious keys to progress but there’s something about community that is hard to quantify. Chaz leaned into the community for support and camaraderie and has now become someone that can be a mentor for those looking for the same. His commitment to his fitness has spilled into his personal and professional life as well. One of the coolest things to watch is how fitness can elevate your whole life. Chaz is remarkably humble for how much success he has been having. He’s lost about 70# since 2022. He has shared some “before” photos to illustrate where he’s been to encourage others that they can do it too. On a personal level, Chaz has become a great friend and golfing partner to myself. Spending countless hours on the course with someone will really allow you to get to know them. Chaz is the ultimate husband, father, and friend to many. Chaz’s spotlight is a perfect example of what a little hard work and consistency can accomplish. He’s been a wonderful example of exactly the type of person that Roaster Barbell loves to have! Congratulations, Chaz, and thank you for being here and for trusting in Roaster Barbell.

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1) What is your why? What gets you out of bed in the morning?

I want to be the best example I can be to my kids and be a present, involved husband and dad.

2) What is your most meaningful goal? Could be life or fitness or anything.

Sticking to fitness, my goal is to stay consistent with my exercise and nutrition now so that I can be active and do fun things late into life.

3) If you could have lunch with anyone ever, who would it be and why?

Other than family, Calvin Coolidge.  Best president ever.

4) What is your favorite part of training?

Setting aside whatever problems we have for an hour or two each day and focusing on getting a little better.

5) What is your least favorite part of training?

Realizing that I still can’t consistently do double unders (or a bunch of other stuff that I should probably be able to do by now).

6) What has been your biggest obstacle on your fitness journey?

Until recently, my nutrition.  I started working with a nutritionist (shoutout Abby) about a year ago and getting more focused on what I’m eating has helped me make a lot of progress in the gym.

7) What would your ideal day consist of?

Morning workout, round of golf, steak dinner with family.

8) What is something that no one knows about you?

When I was 8 years old I won two coloring contests on the same day and got two gift certificates to Woolworth’s.  Best day ever.  I’m a great colorer.

9) Who is your biggest inspiration?

My wife, Jessica, has been dealing with thyroid cancer and surgery and her determination has been a massive inspiration.

10) What brought you to Roaster Barbell?

Jess made me come.  I did not want to come and hadn’t worked out seriously in about 15 years.  And on the way to the gym the first day I said “He’s not going to make us work out on our first day is he?  Like we’ll just take a tour or something?” And then Pete made us work out. We rowed 250 meters and I thought I would die.

11) How has the gym influenced your life outside of the gym?

Coming to Roaster every day has been the cornerstone for many positive habit changes in my life.  Being disciplined in one area makes it much easier to be disciplined in every aspect of your life.

12) What advice would you give someone who is on the fence about CrossFit and Roaster Barbell?

You’ll only feel out of place until you walk through the door, and then the community welcomes you and supports you regardless of how fit or skilled you are.  And it would be hard to be less fit or skilled than me, so you should definitely come.

13) If you could go anywhere in the world for a day where would you go and why?

For a hike in Yosemite- love hiking and exploring the national parks and it’s one I haven’t been to yet.

14) Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you to Pete and everyone at Roaster for making this place awesome.

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Happy 9th Birthday Roaster Barbell!

The 2024 LIFTOFF is upon us! On Saturday, October 5th, 2024 from 8am to 11:30am our community will be celebrating our 9th anniversary the best way we know how, lifting heavy weights! Each lifter will get 3 attempts at a snatch and 3 attempts at a clean & jerk. The heaviest of each lift will be added together to give each lifter their total. This event is designed for all abilities and it will give the lifters a unique opportunity to showcase their abilities in a cool environment. The podium will be determined using the Wilks formula. This event is open to all friends and family of members! We would like to thank City BBQ of Strongsville for catering our event, so come hungry! Food will be ready at 10am. Feel free to bring any beverages you would like to enjoy. See you Saturday!