MICHAELA's Story (More than just fitness)

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"I'm not sure if this qualifies as a success story, maybe it's more of a continuing progression kind of story, or an evolution kind of story." - Michi

I hear many women echo over and over, "I don't want to lift weights. I might get bulky."  

Or how about this, "I just want to tone up," another great one.

This one really makes me smile, "I don't want to look like a bodybuilder."

Does any of this sound familiar? Maybe you yourself have had these thoughts when a friend or family member tells you they do CrossFit.

But what if this whole CrossFit thing is more than just about body image and weight loss?  What if it goes beyond how you look?  What if the thing you lose is that voice of doubt?  

MICHAELA'S STORY OF TRANSFORMATION

"I'm not sure if this qualifies as a success story, maybe it's more of a continuing progression kind of story, or an evolution kind of story. 

I started at Cherrybomb one and a half years ago (one of the original bombers, thank you very much!), with the intention of losing weight. Well. After the on-ramp kicked my a** and made me hurt in places I didn't know existed, I found that I was experiencing something else entirely. I was loving what I was doing. 

That fall I raked leaves and did yard work all day, and I didn't want to die! I began to notice that I was moving, really moving. I was squatting with laundry baskets, and running up stairs. I hadn't realized how sedentary I had become. 

Approximately 8 months after I started I ran a Spartan race. I was terrified. Sara told me she was sure that I could do it in 2 hours, I trusted that number. I held it in my mind the entire time. I finished in 1:58-and I have never been so proud. After Spartan, I had an epiphany. I love going to Cherrybomb, I love the people, I love the exhaustion of a great workout, but most of all, I love that I'm always improving. I've discovered that I love lifting heavy things. It makes me feel good. I've also decided that I'm good enough as I am-5 pounds heavier than I started, but I'm fit and most of all-HAPPY!"

Words cannot describe the rush I feel each and every time one of my athletes reaches a goal. The goals can seem silly to an onlooker but they don't understand the strength and testicular fortitude that it takes to conquer a “Fear” or a “I Can’t”. The goal is meaningless.  It's the process that's important. Whether it’s doing a competition or being able to complete 1 pull-up, each and every time I am privileged to witness someone’s courage and success. I see athletes learning slowly and surely how to quiet that voice of doubt, even if it's only for an hour in the gym.  Every class I am thankful that I can be present as a stronger, truer version of them takes over. 

BE YOU. BE STRONG. BE AWESOME!  

Those words have never rung truer.