- What was life like before you became a member?
Life was good! I kept busy being a stay-at-home mom to two babies under 2 and I was spending time with my family and friends as much as I could!
2. At the time you enrolled, were you already exercising? What was your previous background in fitness?
The only exercise I was getting at the time of enrollment was pushing around the house, picking up and playing with my two babies, and going on walks with the family and our dogs!
I was active in sports throughout grade school and high school, and after graduating I put fitness aside to focus on college and working part time. Eventually I started attending a regular gym with my friends but my workouts and eating habits weren’t consistent, so I didn’t see the results I wanted. Because of that, I didn’t have a good relationship with the gym. I tried HITT classes and Zumba and was finally excited to get in shape again until I’d get in a car accident in 2011. I spent months in rehab and in maintenance therapy all while figuring life out from a wheelchair. The only exercise I was getting for a while was maintenance therapy like standing in a standing frame or using a stim bike to gain leg muscle. I did minimal upper body workouts. I finally started practicing wheelchair tennis and would go hand cycling, but I eventually stopped doing those. Years later covid hit and fitness was put aside. I had no idea where to start again!
3. What originally prompted you to seek us out?
I got a little taste of CrossFit years ago at an adapted “cross-sit” event at another gym and really loved it. It was always in the back of my mind to join that gym or elsewhere, but I never did.
Fast forward to 2024 – me and Jake had just celebrated our 5-year wedding anniversary in Disney and agreed we’d take better care of ourselves once we got home. I suggested finding a CrossFit gym not knowing he’d be all for it too. We mentioned our idea to our good friend, Laureen, who’s a current member and she told us all the great things about Keystone CrossFit and connected us with Tim. We haven’t looked back since!
4. What was your goal when you originally signed up?
To become overall stronger than I currently was.
5. What have you liked best about working with us?
For one… The community aspect of the gym. The support from the other athletes motivates me to keep going even when I want to stop!
Two.. This has also been the only consistent form of fitness in a long time for not only me, but for Jake as well. That says a lot in itself.
And three.. I love that the coaches aren’t afraid to make me put in the work at the gym. They’re constantly challenging me to try something new or add weights on. Thank you for that!
6. What are you most proud of achieving since you started?
Being able to lift a non-weighted pvc pipe above my head (sounds terrible, but that’s how bad my balance was) and then eventually lifting a barbell above my head, maxing out my shoulder press weight, and noticing a huge difference in strength when I pick up my babies!
7. With everything that you have accomplished, has your view of yourself changed?
Absolutely!
My confidence has grown in and out of the gym and self-care has become more important to me than I ever thought it would!
8. What would you say to anyone else who might be dealing with any similar struggles you did?
Show up and do what you can. I’ve learned that a little goes a LONG way and you’ll never know how capable you are of something until you try!
9. Do you have any special moments/memories?
It may sound silly, but the first time I saw my own adapted workout on a smaller whiteboard is something I’ll never forget! It goes to show you how much the coaches care about each and every athlete!
10. What is your favorite movement/lift?
Ring dips! They’re both physically and mentally difficult to get through but I love the challenge. And the progress I’ve made with them!
