An Interview with Masters Athlete Pauline Sciascia

An Interview with Masters Athlete Pauline Sciascia

She hasn't gone outside the Top 5 in Australasia since her first open in 2013 and this year she hits the 60+ category. Pauline Sciascia is a name to remember because this year she's not only wanting to make her CrossFit Games debut but she's wanting gold. 
From international Netball umpire to Masters Athlete, Pauline proves that you can do anything at any age!
Mother of five and now grandmother, this woman can train like a demon, rocks a ridiculous six pack and also manages to destroy the odd hokey pokey ice-cream.
Whist rummaging through the pantry for snacks and with my son sitting on her lap for cuddles with his Granny, I got the latest on the Master those at CrossFit Central Wellington are hoping to be cheering on at Madison this year. 
1. How long have you been doing CrossFit and what was it about CrossFit that first got you in the door? 
I've been doing CrossFit since November 2012 after I was talked into it by a friend who had been doing it for six months. I didn't even know what CrossFit was before I tried it! 
2. What advice would you give those older women (and men!) who may be skeptical that CrossFit is only for the "young bucks"?
Just give it a go - there's nothing you can't do. Everyone starts as a beginner and then you just listen and learn! 
3. What are your goals for 2018 and what are you doing to achieve them?
My goal for 2018 is simple - to get to the CrossFit games and win them. I'm consistently training in the gym 5 days a week and hope to retire soon to have more time to focus my energy on my goal. 
4. What does a typical week of training look like for you?
I follow CompTrain Masters programming by Ben Bergeron. My week usually consists of rest day on a Monday with some mobility/RomWod, three days of gymnastics focus and two days of lifting focus. Each time I'm at the gym I spend about two hours there getting through my programming.
5. When you go out on the competition floor, get ready to do a Games qualifier or hit the platform, what internal pep talk do you find helps you settle and perform the best?
I try to focus on the plan of attack, understanding the movements ahead of me and sticking to the plan. Not focusing on anything else, just what I need to do and how I need to do it. 
6. How do you make sure your body is in tip top shape for training?
I eat mostly paleo (meat and veggies), always sleep 8 hours with a bonus 10 hourly once a week and take magnesium and zinc. 
7. What is your favourite movement to do at CrossFit?
If you asked me yesterday it was clean and jerk haha (hitting a 57kg Clean and Jerk PB!). But it's probably burpees. I quite like all movements now because I'm learning to master them better. 
8. When you're not CrossFitting or winning Spirit of the Box awards, what do you enjoy doing most?

Sleeping, watching TV (anything that has the NZ Police in it), sewing and spending time with my Grandson.

Thanks Pauline! We can't wait to see you smash it over the Open and Qualifiers in the coming weeks!

 

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