After a year of gentle nudges from a neighbor, the realization that I wanted to get fit before hitting the big 4-0, and a fair amount of self-motivation, I finally decided to take the plunge and reached out to the owner of my local CrossFit gym. The concept of CrossFit resonated with me: straightforward, personalized, guided, and quick workouts sounded perfect.
On a chilly Thursday in March, I stepped into a stark yellow concrete building lacking heat, situated behind an auto glass factory. The air was tinged with the scent of the nearby sanitation department, and I found myself surrounded by chalky poles, stacked weights, and damp rubber, desperately trying to maintain a push-up position.
An insightful yet firm coach was leading the session. As I struggled, she reached for some AbMats to bridge the gap between the floor and my chest. “She doesn’t need AbMats!” boomed the head trainer from his seat. “Maybe this guy sees something in me that I don’t,” I thought. One push-up. Not too shabby. Two? Okay. Three? Not a chance.
“Can I do them on my knees?” I asked, my voice tinged with uncertainty. Before the coach could respond, the owner’s voice thundered, “This ain’t no trendy gym class! No, you cannot do push-ups on your knees.” Who does this guy think he is, the oracle? I kept my mouth shut and pushed through, sans AbMats.
Once my introductory session concluded, the coach said, “You are stronger than you realize. The only barrier here is you.” The owner stood up, gave me a genuine smile, and high-fived me, saying, “Great job for your first time!” As I hobbled out, feeling like a battered can of beans, a radiant woman approached and said, “Just keep coming back, no matter what.” I took her advice to heart, aware more challenges were on the horizon.
Growing up, I was the awkward girl who couldn’t climb the rope in gym class, the one who avoided risks and craved validation while feeling shy and insecure. CrossFit forced me to confront those lingering insecurities head-on.
In CrossFit, egos are left at the door. The only way to truly improve is to take risks, be vulnerable, and trust your coaches and fellow participants. As daunting as that was for me, I dove in, and slowly but surely, I began to see progress.
Experiencing success—whether it was completing 400 meters without stopping, lifting weights overhead, doing a pull-up, or mastering a handstand—felt like rediscovering the joy of childhood triumphs. It was pure elation, especially since I’d never imagined I could achieve such feats. Pushing myself physically and mentally time and again revealed that my limits were far less restrictive than I had once believed.
However, the CrossFit journey isn’t always glamorous. There are tough days, moments of doubt, and setbacks. Yet, whenever I hit a wall, my supportive coaches and fellow participants always had my back. During those one-hour sessions, we worked together, built community, and shared laughter.
In this environment, validation and confidence flourished. One of my closest friends, whom I’ll call Anna, started CrossFit the same season as I did. Because we had similar skill levels and schedules, we quickly became workout partners. After a year of shared struggles, she invited me to join her group for a mud run. As someone who had always longed for female friendships, her gesture meant everything to me.
Since that day, we’ve tackled multiple mud runs together, and it’s now understood that we’re a team for any upcoming events.
So, I stand on my plyo box and declare: Discomfort is indeed beneficial. It opens doors and fosters growth. CrossFit was simply the right fit for me.
Whatever your source of discomfort may be, embrace it. Then grab some chalk for your hands, crank up the tunes, and dive in. 3, 2, 1…
In summary, my CrossFit journey has not only transformed my physical capabilities but also reshaped my confidence and friendships. If you’re curious about home insemination, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination. Additionally, for those looking for quality supplies, this is a reputable retailer of at-home insemination syringe kits.
Leave a Reply