What was your fitness life like before joining CrossFit Fireside?

Before Crossfit, my fitness life was virtually nonexistent.  I don’t like traditional gyms and any time I tried to do something on my own it didn’t last long because there was no structure or consistency.  Crossfit seemed like something that would interest me because every day was different but I thought it might be too dangerous or tough.  I will very rarely admit when I’m wrong, but this is one time that I’m glad I was. 

How has CrossFit Fireside changed your life?

Not only do I feel better both emotionally and physically but I can see a massive difference in everyday activities.  Now I can go hiking, hunting, fishing and all of the other things that I enjoy doing without thinking about how hard it’s going to be to hike to the next hole or to the top of that other hill.  My quality of life has improved more than I ever expected and now I feel like me again for the first time in a long time.

What are your future goals?

When I first started my biggest goals were to get in better shape and to just feel better about myself overall and in the year and a half since I started, that hasn’t changed. 

What is your favorite movement?

I like any of the Olympic lifting movements.  There is something about moving your body in a way that combines finesse and strength to do something that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to do.  If there is a movement I like the least, I don’t think anyone would fault me for saying burpees. 

What’s been the hardest part of your journey?

For me there has not been any part of Crossfit that I would consider easy, but if I had to pick just one thing it would be the mental aspect of it.  The physical part is easy since everything can be scaled, but forcing yourself to go when you’re tired and sore and have had a long day and then forcing yourself to go just a little farther or to do one more rep takes mental strength that I never thought I would have.

What keeps you coming back?

What keeps me coming back is that there is always a new challenge.  A new movement to achieve, a larger weight to lift, a time to beat, but most importantly it’s all of the people that call Crossfit Fireside home.  Another reason I keep coming back is that no matter how hard the workout is each day or how much I didn’t want to go, I always feel like I’ve accomplished something and feel better about the day.

What do you love most about Fireside?

What I like most about Fireside are the people.  The atmosphere they create in Fireside is unlike any other gym I’ve been to and the feeling of community you get is unmatched.

What advice do you have for people that are on the fence about trying CrossFit?

How do you know what it’s all about unless you do it yourself?  If a movement is too hard, there is always a way to make it easier and still get something out of it and no one is going to judge you if you’re not the best athlete in the room.  You’re going to be sore but you’ll go home feeling better than you did walking in.

Why join CrossFit Fireside over any other gym?

It’s easy to find a time to come in whenever you need to and the coaches and other athletes are genuinely interested in your own progress and safety.  No one is made to feel like they aren’t doing enough and if they want to do more there is always someone or something to challenge them.