why she's interesting A second-year student at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Foucher was runner-up in the 2012 CrossFit Games in California, after finishing fifth the previous two years. The grueling test of physical fitness includes 15 challenges such as the Camp Pendleton Endurance Test (think: triathalon) and the Double Banger (which involves a jump rope and sledgehammer).
All-Around Athlete Although she tried tennis, soccer and dance as a kid, Foucher latched on to gymnastics. As a high school senior, she won the Michigan Division II all-around gymnastics championship. "I just liked the way that you could allow your body to move in ways that it didn't normally move in. You were always pursuing new skills and new tricks."
Doc rocks Foucher studied biomedical engineering at the University of Michigan, but eventually decided on medical school. "What gave it the most meaning for me was that personal interaction you could have with patients as a doctor."
No way! What's a CrossFit workout look like? One routine might include a 400 meter run, 21 1.5-pood (53 pounds) kettleball swings and 12 pull-ups, done three times in succession for a time. "Half the workouts that my coach programs for me, I look at them and think, There's no way I'm going to be able to do that. But I do."
Expect the unexpected The games kicked off two days earlier than planned with the Camp Pendleton Endurance Test, which included a 700 meter ocean swim, six mile ride and 13.24 mile mountain run. Foucher took second and first in the event and knotched 10 top-10 finishes. "I had done sprint triathalons before, but nothing like this. It was scary."
True calling In October, Foucher represented the U.S. against Europe in the CrossFit Invitational in London. However, she's foregoing the 2013 games to focus on her studies. "In order to bring my passion for CrossFit and fitness together with my medical career, I need to be focusing on my medical career."
