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My path to Crossfit was a little unconventional. Most of my young adult life I was not very active, was obese, and never considered myself athletic. I was 26 and wanted a change so I tried to join the military, they ultimately told me I was 30lbs too heavy to even be waivered into the army. It was devastating knowing that even at the height of 2 wars; I couldn’t get into the Army. So I reached out to a friend and he was able to lose the weight by going to a gym and getting into a cardio, weight training routine. That got me into the military and through basic training, but when I got home I struggled a lot with my weight and rarely passed my PT tests. Then I was deployed, some might argue but it was probably a God send.
I was on my first deployment in Iraq in 2008; one of the seldom positive ways to kill time in Iraq was to workout. I remember being curious about what a small group of soldiers was doing in a separate room on the base gym. So I asked SGT Ryan who seemed to be in charge, he didn’t really explain much just said I had to try it. I did and I knew it was something different and special; it built a team and a close knit family. I still talk to SGT Ryan to this day.
After a second deployment in 2011, I had a similar experience except this time soldiers were asking me about Crossfit. When I returned home, I went and received my Level 1 Cert and have found a passion in showing people how being strong and moving with a purpose translates to so many things we do outside the box. Crossfit has changed my life even more so than 2 wars ever could. I hope to continue to teach as many people as I can that life can be so much more.
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” ~ MARIA ROBINSON