The CrossFit Journey
5 years ago today, at the urging of a friend who insisted this place and these people were different, I trepidatiously set foot in my first CrossFit gym (The Port) where I met Justin. I had told myself CrossFit was not for me, my body can’t take that kind of beating, I don’t need more stats to track about myself. But I showed up.
To say I had a lot to learn is an understatement. It was scary and overwhelming, and far from the identity of my upbringing, but I wanted to figure out this alien sport. I stumbled, I over-analyzed, I asked Justin to show me it again, I stared blankly, I tried it again, I reflected. And I kept showing up.
We worked through countless (VERY sporadic, at first) 1-1s that I was terrified of what would be the next thing he’d ask me to do with a barbell or jump rope and I’d embarrass myself with, fumbling to understand this new acronym-heavy language that eventually turned into weekly group class I could make my way through with little nudges then into multiple times a week 90min round trip drives from Manchester during Covid into finally buying a home near the newly formed community at Seacoast Athletics where I’d be minutes away from my now daily ritual, no longer the girl to finish last every time with an empty trainer bar, but still always one with her head held proud.
Even in the past few months things have changed dramatically. I know that bar. My body knows what to do. I have enough reps in me to be able to incorporate a cue instead of feel disappointed and frustrated when it bounces off me. I’ve learned so much about myself and I still don’t even know yet what I’m capable of. It’s humbling, rewarding, and somehow comforting as a result to know both those emotions will always be there.
This journey, this person before you, wouldn’t be who she is and will become without everything Justin taught me about what I could do with my body, all the things I never even dreamed I’d want for myself, let alone achieve and now love.
Ethan J. Schalekamp Photography poignantly captured this hard fought battle for me and what I’ve become 5y later. A lifetime of gratitude to you both for leaving such a deep and true mark, and making it so memorable.