It was mid April when Coach Hannah reached out to me to ask me if I was “interested in actually doing CrossFit?” and I didn’t know it then, but my life would be changed forever.
Solcana CrossFit opened it’s doors on June 1st, 2014. Six months ago. I did my first workout there on Wednesday, June 4 and visited twice that week. I remember Hannah telling me that when first starting with CrossFit, 2x/week is a good pace, and eventually I would build up to a more regular regimen. That first weekend in June, I featured at the Joke Joint Comedy Club in Saint Paul and I distinctly remember not being able to straighten my arms out due to the muscle soreness. That’s how out of shape I was…I actually had to stand on stage with my arms bent the entire show, while holding the mic. I have never felt more like a Chuck E. Cheese animatronic in my life.
And I went back.
I kept going back.
When I started six months ago, I was timid, self conscious, and constantly full of self doubt. The thought of doing any kind of physical activity – let alone in FRONT OF anyone – was enough to send me into a tail spin of shame. It’s why I had always been a member of a big box gym – a gym where I could easily remain anonymous and unaccountable. Six months ago, I knew I needed to change and when the opportunity to join Solcana CrossFit was presented to me, I knew I had to take it. Life changing gifts like this don’t just present themselves all the time. Unless your Meg Ryan or Taylor Swift or Scarlet Johanssen or, you know, Bradley Cooper.
Six months ago, I smoked regularly. I could not do a pushup. Or run a mile. I could barely press 50 lbs. I was a combination of bad examples and bad choices and bad mental health.
Six months ago, I was welcomed into a place that flipped my life and my choices on their side. The advice, the encouragement, and the instruction of the Solcana coaches and my gym pals started to permeate my brain. Belief in myself started to outweigh the self doubt. “I can’t do this” began to change to “I will try this.” My self perception shifted. My strength increased – physically, mentally, and emotionally. I could see and measure progress each week to the next. I began to feel like a part of something.
This shift also helped me start to schedule my social engagements around my gym time. I have great friends who understood and said things like “I love who you are now!” and I appreciate that so much. I rolled up to dates with cute boys in compression tights and DIDN’T EVEN CARE. THIS IS WHO I AM NOW. My time at Solcana is a priority. I love these people, I love what they’ve shared and given to me. I crave the activity each day and I can definitely feel it when I miss a day.
Six months ago, I was 25lb heavier.
Six months ago, it took me 10 minutes to complete
- 500m row
- 40 Squats
- 30 situps
- 20 pushups
- 10 pullups
If I had to guess, I bet I’d be able to nearly cut that time in half.
Six months ago, I could barely do a pushup from a 30″ elevated box. Now I can do them from the floor.
Six months ago, I could barely press 45lbs x 5. Recently, I pressed 120×2.
Six months ago, I had never deadlifted. Last week I PR’d at 264lbs x 2.
Six months ago, my brain was filled with fear and doubt and unworthiness and ugliness. Today, it feels clearer and healthier and more rational. (I’ve still got a little bit of crazy left, calm down)
Six months ago, I hated how I looked. Today, it is less about how I look and more about how I feel. (See above) To me, that’s the most beautiful.
Congratulations on reaching six months, Solcana CrossFit and Coach Hannah. They’ve been the best six months of my life. My heart is filled with love and gratitude for you and every single person that walks through your doors.
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