|
Bethanie has been training with us since March, 2019. She brings a quiet intensity to every workout and is a delight to have in class. Bethanie, Why do You do CrossFit?What was your life like before you started training with True Spirit CrossFit?
After gaining almost 50 pounds within a year, I found myself back at the gym. However, I didn't have alot structure and it was very hard getting myself to go and be consistent. Then I did my first 5k and started focusing more on running, but my body was not prepared for it and I was in and out of physical therapy with injuries. What brought you to True Spirit CrossFit in the first place? Although I was making some progress I knew I needed to be doing something different. I needed to get stonger. I was looking for a good program and structure. TSCF is also really close to work (hospital). What was your first impression? Has that changed? First, the coaches are awesome. They are all very knowledgable and genuinely care for everyone coming through the door. Also, I had avoided CrossFit for a long time because I am very shy and working out with a group sounded terrifying. But that has become my FAVORITE part! The support from everyone and the energy from the group is incredible and has made all the difference. What was the first thing fun or positive thing you experienced while training with us? I realized one day that I wasn't fighting with myself to go workout. I was actually looking forward to going! Are you working on any special CrossFit related skill now? I got my first pull-up a couple months ago which I never ever thought would happen and know I'm working getting multiple. How has you life changed since training with TSCF? Before starting at True Spirit I had stopped doing pretty much all of the activities I loved. I just wasn't physically able to get out and enjoy it, but now I'm back on my dirtbike, trail running more miles then I ever have, and strapped on my snowboard again. Just overall stronger and happier. What's your favorite True Spirit CrossFit memory? Probably the day I got my first pull-up. It really was a crazy feeling when I pulled myself up to the bar for the first time.
0 Comments
Kris, Why do You do CrossFit?What was your fitness life like before you started training with True Spirit CrossFit?
I have been over weight, lost weight, over weight, slightly smaller and then overweight again. I have worked out, but really, it’s been since high school, which seems like a life time ago. I am strong for what I do, but I could be stronger. Mentally, I’m mush. Even when I wasn’t overweight, I wasn’t healthy, mentally or physically. I ride horses, garden, work hard at work, but I was short on breath, stamina and happiness. I love CrossFit, and I’m so happy I’m back. What brought you to True Spirit CrossFit in the first place? My friend Noah!!! She has talked about what a great place True Spirit has been (and she’s a badass) and I kinda wanted to be part of that. Then I started Facebook stocking True Spirit and decided that they seem like my kind of people. What was your first impression? Has that changed? My first impression was that everybody is so nice here, and the coaches are so welcoming. Over time, it’s only gotten better. I have friends their, and I look forward to seeing everyone. It’s the highlight of my day! What was the first thing fun or positive thing you experienced while training with us? I love how the coaches and other teammates offer so much assistance in scaling the workouts and help in general. Being able to scale the workout, yet watch others Rx it, gives me hope and inspiration that I can do that one day. I look forward to each class I can make it to. Are you working on any special CrossFit related skill now? My goal is to make it to the gym, after that, it’s to survive the workout. I’m still trying to learn how to count rounds/reps all while gasping for air. How has you life changed since training with TSCF? I am already stronger, happier, and healthier. I aim to eat healthier and I make a point to take time for myself. I am so glad Leslie didn’t let me quit, I am already becoming a better human because of her “take time for yourself” pep talks. Meeting with Audy has been great too. I’ve really been taking a look at what I eat, when and why and it has really opened my eyes to how I can do better nutritionally. Little changes have made a big difference. UPDATE: Since working with Coach Audy Kris has lost 20 pounds! What's your favorite True Spirit CrossFit memory? So far, my favorite memory is the day we were going to run the mile. I had already had a terrible day and then to top it off I had to run a mile. I haven’t done that in years. I was so stressed about it and after the warm up I was already tired, then even more stressed! After one lap I was ready to quit and leave, I knew I just couldn’t go on. I asked Dover if I could do something else and she says, “yes, just walk.” A simple, perfect no non-sense answer that stopped my anxiety instantly. I had told myself that I couldn’t so many times that I forgot how I could. So I, walked/jogged the rest. At then end, after their mile, Jessie and Kerri ran my last lap with me, it was then I knew I was in the perfect place. That day meant more to me than those gals know.  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.  James did his very first CrossFit workout in the park with Leslie in the summer of 2010.  CrossFit has made James physically and mentally strong and introduced him to obstacle course racing (OCR). He has completed four Spartan Beasts, the Knuckle Buster, and the K9 Gladiator with Nanook. Coach James, Why do You do CrossFit?I started doing CrossFit in June 2010 with Saturday workouts in the park. I was used to working out regularly but it was the very classic training method of long slow distances of running, biking, hiking. I was pretty good at those specific activities but also knew that I was not very strong so I was hesitant to do CrossFit. Once I did my first few workouts I knew the program was going to help me become stronger both physically and mentally, and it has.
Leslie and I opened True Spirit CrossFit in 2014 because we remember what it is like to be new at something and wanted to take the fundaments of CrossFit and make it more approachable to more people as a way to build and live a healthier life. This takes a community and the community is what helps motivate me to get up and coach at 6 am or to do a workout with the best effort I can. Through doing CrossFit and owning the gym, I am stronger physically and mentally. I have more confidence in my daily life. I have an outlet for my intensity. I can channel and harness the memory of a difficult workout or practicing a challenging skill (like double unders that took me a year and a half to finally get) that helps me put life's daily challenges into perspective. Plus I love the variety of what we do and accomplish. This is what helped motivate me to do obstacle course racing like the Spartan and Knuckle Buster. Showing up is success, being coachable is wise, participating with positive attitude is inspiring, using your brain builds one of the most important muscle in your body, and being a part of the community is the best exercise my heart can have. By learning with and through others, both as a coach and athlete, I am a happier "fitter" person. This is what True Spirit CrossFit means to me and I am transformed through it every day. Life is the ultimate CrossFit workout, Live It. |
Special EventsRow'd Royalty - Jan 17 - Feb 7
Olympic Weightlifting Seminar - Feb 2 Femme Fatale Week - Feb 10-15 Record your WOD on Beyond the Whiteboard.
Do you need CrossFit or yoga gear? Click on the links below to buy through our Just Strong, Reebok, Rogue or Hylete Affiliate share sale programs. These are affiliate links and our gym will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on these links.
 
Check out our Flickr page!
Categories
All
Archives
January 2020
|
RSS Feed
|
 
|