- What was life like before you became a member?
I’ve always been active with ”Functional fitness”. In July of 2021, I had a total knee replacement done on my right knee and just like that my running days were over. I got into HIIT Training and really enjoyed the camaraderie and ability to circuit style exercise without all the miles on the road.
- At the time you enrolled, were you already exercising? What was your previous background in fitness?
3 days a week doing HIIT training prior to joining. From the earliest age of playing sports, basketball, baseball, football. After marriage I got into running. I ran the Steamtown marathon in 2013, countless ½ marathons and 5K’s. Functional fitness activities include: Logging and firewood, skiing, masonry activity (working with stone), blacksmithing, construction, hiking, fishing and hunting.
- What originally prompted you to seek us out?
My oldest daughter and her husband joined, and we would compare notes on the workouts. A family rivalry ensued. My daughter brought me to Bring a Friend Week and one of the first WOD’s was the Filthy 50, which made me realize how intense CrossFit is and I fell in love with it. You’re not that good is what I was telling myself. I need this to get to the next level, which is how I approached it.
- What was your goal when you originally signed up?
My earliest goal was to basically understand the movements and learn the acronyms like WOD, EMOM, AMRAP. My goals have now changed to master DUBS and get muscle ups conquered. During my initial meet and greet with Tim he asked me the same thing, my answer was to maintain body weight and keep my strength as I age. I feel like my goals are constantly revealing themselves which is what drives us to do better and keep going.
5. What have you liked best about working with us?
After a few months my daughter left. I was struggling and asking myself, do I fit in with this style of exercise? The coaches reiterated the presence shown in the workouts and the answer was a great big YES. Most significant reason to stay is the people. What I like the most is being in the presence of like-minded people, who are always willing to help. And of course, enjoying the WOD’s.
6. What are you most proud of achieving since you started? I was never able to do a handstand, and now that is second nature. Also having a year behind me with no significant injuries other than some sore muscles. Functional fitness is also something that makes me proud, before CrossFit processing firewood would leave me beat up for a few days, now I haven’t used the automatic splitter and do all with an ax. Just as fast and productive, this makes me proud.
7. With everything that you have accomplished, has your view of yourself changed? I have always had a strong self confidence level, CrossFit has just added to it. One thing I will state about this question is that CrossFit has taught me to leave your ego at the door, no matter how good you think you are there is always room to improve.
8. What would you say to anyone else who might be dealing with any similar struggles you did? I would tell anybody, this is the place to be. From the most elite athlete to the most beginner, there is a place for you here. No judgement, just like-minded people doing exercise for the betterment of our lives. We will push and encourage you to do your best and after the bar has been set, we will cheer you on for every step forward as well as sit and diagnose how to improve. We are in this together and keep the encouragement to come back again.
9. Do you have any special moments/memories?
The Holiday Throwdown was extra special. I got partnered up with one of my daughters’ classmates from grade school and we rocked it. We had a 3-way tie on the lifts, I found myself getting weighed in the vestibule. This was so cool.
In February of 2024 we did a farmer carry WOD, about a week later I received a postcard from the coach congratulating me on my first RX and that made me soar. Being new and cautious with the artificial knee had me apprehensive, the postcard eliminated all these fears. Carrying firewood my whole life helped, I guess.
The open this year was super cool, I was hesitant to join it and not thinking I was going to participate but then conversations ensued with friends at the Gym, we collaborated, made a pact to judge each other and get through it as well as keeping each other accountable to fruition. Seeing in real time where you stand in the world of CrossFit is one of the greatest joys and incentives to keep going.
A few weeks ago, I had an elite athlete ask me to go through “chest to bar movement” . After going through it I literally thought “wow”. I am being asked by someone I hold to the highest regard on how to do something, definitely a fond memory.
10. What is your favorite movement/lift? My favorite movements are on the rig and rope climbs. I have set up a rig in my shop at work to practice as I am working on equipment; I am fascinated with plyometrics and body awareness. The ability to flip around and do gymnastic style movements on the bar in my mind is awesome. It’s a riot when my employees come into the shop and see me kipping or doing pull ups, it usually ends in a statement like “your nuts”, or “where do you find the energy”.
Prior to joining CrossFit I was being hammered with “it’s too intense” , ”you’re going to get hurt”, ”you have a fake knee”. I have been at it for a year and enjoying every aspect of it. As long as we check our EGO at the door, you will be fine. Follow the instruction of the coaches, especially at the later reps and enjoy the ability to perform what most people can’t or won’t even attempt.
Keystone CrossFit is a family, we all have our own unique characteristics we bring to the table, embrace them and use them to obtain the goal of our fitness. We are CROSSFITTERS, the best in the world.
Having made friendships that will last is probably one of the best “special moments” any of us can ask for.
