12/3 Transformation Tuesday

Coach Dover does CrossFit and powerlifting so she can play hockey.

Coach Dover in one of her very first CrossFit workouts. She started CrossFit when she was 60.

Coach Dover, Why do You do CrossFit?

As I turned 60 I had some choices to make if I wanted to continue to lead the active life I seemed to have gotten myself into. I loved playing goalie on my ice hockey teams, I loved chasing after my dog in search and rescue…but those things were getting harder. I had an active job teaching young kids how to play and be fit but even that was becoming a challenge.
I walked into a CrossFit box and knew immediately this was the workout I needed. I left that gym after hearing Leslie and James had opened their own gym. I always loved working with them. When I walked in the door I knew I was home. I was always going to just be a CrossFit athlete but was encouraged to get my Level 1 so I could eventually coach kids.
I had never planned to be a CrossFit coach but continue on with working with kids and their fitness. That worked until I retired from teaching after 30 years. The next week I started my new career as a CrossFit coach (so much for retirement). During my first few years at True Spirit I was also encouraged to enter a Powerlifting meet…I’m easily talked into things. I went, I won gold, who doesn’t like winning. Of course I was the only competitor in my age class so winning was easy. I’m hooked on that now and yes usually win the gold, but my drive is to beat myself.
It wasn’t in my career plan to be a coach, but since I have spent most of my working life teaching movement it kind of fit. I was a little intimidated at first since now I was working with adults who were choosing to be there, not kids who had to be there. The motivation all my athletes show as they grind through a long workout, work on a skill they struggle with and walk out at the end with a smile makes being a coach worth it.
We so often talk about the community but I have to say it such an important part of the whole picture. Athletes may not know it but I miss them when they don’t show up. As soon as someone walks in the door, each and every one of them makes my day more complete. Athletes are the most important part of this equation, you motivate each other, drive each other, and bring laughter and friendship each and every time you walk through the door. Sometimes I have to hold you back, sometimes give you a little push, coaching each individual is truly rewarding when we see progress.
​Pushing yourself a little harder, lifting a little more, doing one more rep even though you want to put the barbell down is the mental toughness you get with CrossFit. It has helped me through hockey games when I’ve just blocked shot after shot and here they come again. I tell myself I’ve felt that way in a WOD and made it through so suck it up, endure, and block that next shot. even though I would really like to catch my breath. Sometimes there’s no time to breath, you just reach deep and get it done. That’s what CrossFitters do. 

Click Here for The WOD