Brantford Member of the Month May 2026 Laura MacWhirter
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
Hey I am Laura and I have been at Alchemy since April 2025. I work at BGH as a Physiotherapist on the Inpatient Rehab Unit. I have two young kids (ages 5 and 3) who keep me very busy. I mostly attend the 5 or 6 am classes but I am known to show up to the odd evening or hyrox class.
WHAT GOT YOU INTO CROSSFIT?
I’ve always been an active person. My main sport growing up was Track and Field (middle distance 400/800/1500m)…but that was like 20 years ago now! A friend of mine at work noticed I’d work out at lunch and invited me to a CrossFit class in 2018. After my first class I signed up immediately and I did CrossFit consistently until March 2020. It was COVID and I was pregnant so I took a break at that time. I continued working out at home but it wasn’t the same. Last year, when my youngest daughter turned two, I knew I needed to do something for myself again (and get away from the kids IYKYK) so I joined Alchemy. Jenna got me set up with my first class. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly as a new person in class. I love the variety of workouts and learning new things at the gym.
WHAT DO I LIKE ABOUT ALCHEMY?
I like how I can show up and not think about what I am doing for my workout. I push myself harder when I am working out alongside other members.
I also like all the events Alchemy puts on. My kids enjoyed watching me participate in the Friday Night Lights for The Open this year and they love the Easter egg hunt. There’s always something going on to be part of (in house comps, regatta, the open, the year end gala, etc).
WHAT HAS BEEN MY PROUDEST MOMENT?
I am always super proud anytime I get a PR with a barbell. Breaking the 100lb mark with my front squat and power clean are both memorable!
WHAT ARE YOUR CROSSFIT GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?
I would love to RX a workout one day. I have great cardio but I am still working on building strength to work up to those big weights safely.
I’ve been struggling with some upper body injuries the last few months so getting those in order is a goal too. All the coaches have offered lots of options or modifications anytime I need one.
Staying fit, healthy and strong as I age is also very important to me. I hope to be able to keep up with my future grandkids when I am 70.
IF YOU COULD DESIGN THE PERFECT WORKOUT, WHAT WOULD IT INCLUDE?
I love a metcon or hyrox style…something with running, dumbbell cleans, box jumps, sit ups. I also love a barbell and tend to cherry pick those workouts.
I can tell you what it would not include: bench press, big sets of toes to bar, and wall walks.
WHAT'S THE BIGGEST CHANGE YOU'VE SEEN IN YOURSELF SINCE I STARTED CROSSFIT?
I do feel stronger and some of my clothes fit differently #bodybyalchemy
I also have a very early and strict bedtime. It is the only way for those 5am classes.
WHEN YOU'RE NOT AT THE GYM, WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO?
The gym is my favorite thing to do! As a working mom I don’t get much time to myself so it is my escape. But when I am not at the gym or work, I love a nap, a good IPA or listening to music from my youth (emo/indie rock from 2000-2010).
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD SPOT?
My husband and I love Pad Thai from Sai Thai and the Cuban sandwich from Rani’s lunch counter.
