“What made you start CrossFit?” Every time I am asked this question I answer with the same reply, “It was God sent.” I started training at Modig Fitness in March 2017. I was in my last semester of college at the University of Colorado Denver. I was taking all online classes, so I was basically at home all day. I was in desperate need of something to get me out of the house, but not simply just to get out of the house, but also bring light back into my life.
All my life I played tennis up until my freshman year of college. With all the change and stress that college brought, it was hard for me to get motivated to work out. I definitely gained the “freshman fifteen,” and was nowhere near the peak fitness level I had been in high school. I walked with my mom every day, which did help me maintain a somewhat decent weight, but I definitely wasn’t losing any. Besides, walking the same trail everyday gets pretty boring! She suggested we go do Zumba together, but it didn’t interest me. I gave up looking at the scale because every time I stepped on it extra pounds had been added. At the end of 2016 I was in a really weird place. I truly had zero confidence in myself. I was hiding under loose sweaters and baggy tees, and I was in somewhat of a dark place going into 2017. I was raised Catholic and my mom has always taught me to trust in God, live my life by His will, and leave my worries in His hands. Everyday I prayed for something to change in my life. That I would find something that I could get involved in, make friends, and get me out of this rut.
Then one morning I woke up and told my parents I was going to try CrossFit. They were supportive and told me to try out different gyms in the area to see which one I liked. I already knew which one I had to go to. Imprinted in my mind was the sign of a roaring lion head in place of the “O” in Modig Fitness. That same day I signed up for my free trial. I haven’t stopped since.
I was welcomed by some of the kindest, warmest people I have ever met. I became part of the noon class and they quickly became my gym family. Even though I was the youngest of the group, those ladies opened their arms to me and quickly became friends. Even before getting to know the members, all the coaches had already made me feel at home. From the very first day, David and Justin took the time to teach me all I needed to know in order to be successful. I had never held a barbell in my life so they had a lot of work ahead of them! They’re so incredibly helpful, kind, and truly care about your safety and well-being. They make sure to come up with a plan for me that wasn’t way out of reach, but that pushed me just enough to help me strive towards my goals.
I was always used to having a coach push me and help me improve, but none of my tennis coaches compare the ones at Modig Fitness. They push you, teach you, encourage you, understand your strengths and weaknesses, and through their programming are able to turn those weaknesses into strengths. When I started I could barely lift a 60-pound deadlift. A couple weeks ago I hit my one rep max of 150 pounds and broke 105 pounds on my clean! I am constantly surprising myself when I can add more weight or am able to hit the Rx button more often. It’s those small things of adding five more pounds or moving from ring rows to banded pull ups that motivate me every day to keep putting in the work, because I see the results. I never thought I could love something so much. Yes, I loved tennis and I was a good player, but it wasn’t my passion. If I could, I would be at CrossFit every day. It truly is my heart and soul. So when people ask me what made me start, I tell them it was God sent because I believe it was. I was sent to Modig when I needed it the most. One day I just woke up and I knew. It has brought me nothing but pure happiness. I have never looked so physically fit as I do now, but even more important than physical appearance, I have never loved myself as much as I do now. CrossFit Modig has given me the self-esteem I lacked for so many years and a confidence in myself that I never knew I had. It has given me beautiful friendships and has been a light in my life. When I started in March I was around 145 pounds. I have overcome my fear of the scale, and eight months later I am at 125 pounds. I am constantly left in shock when another piece of clothing that had not fit me in years now fits. I have had to get rid of so many jeans because they’re huge now! I have always loved clothing and fashion, but when I had more weight on, I couldn’t wear a lot of the styles I liked because they didn’t look good on my body. Now I can wear those outfits I used to only dream of wearing.
This process definitely hasn’t been easy though. I go to the gym four times a week where I really push myself in every workout. I am constantly learning how to improve through YouTube videos, following CrossFit athletes, and absorbing every piece of advice I receive at the gym. I have also completely changed my diet. I used to eat dessert after every meal. For Lent this year I decided to give up desserts but because of CrossFit I gave it up and haven’t had dessert in seven months. That doesn’t stop me from baking though! I follow CrossFit’s recommendation of the Zone diet by eating meats and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar. I have always had a strong will power, and I’ve really put it to play ever since I started CrossFit by becoming disciplined in what I put into my body.
I can’t thank David and all the coaches and members at Modig enough for what they have done for me. I tend to be pretty quiet so I’ve never really shared where I was pre-CrossFit. When I was asked to write this testimonial I could not have been more excited to share my story and love for Modig. It has become my second home and my second family. It has changed my life and I will always be extremely grateful.