Do CrossFit

“When I arrived at the gym, I felt super shy because it was my first day. Classmates and coaches were talking around me while I just stood there, observing everything. There was noise from weights dropping and people chatting at the same time. On a big board, the workout of the day was written. Half of the exercises I didn’t even recognize, man makers? power snatches? I had no idea what those were. The air smelled like sweat and effort. [...] Each repetition felt endless; my fingers felt like they were digging into the floor, and I was sure my face would hit it. At the end, the coach kept saying, “One more!”

“I am new to crossfit and I get this the night before, on the way to the box and before and during the workouts too. I think I've cried after at least half of my visits. I did the foundations but it's still so much. It's so much information and I'm stressed that there are other people around me and folks are finishing their sets while I can't remember how high the rack is even supposed to be. It's really distracting and chaotic.”

“Somewhere toward the middle of the WOD, my breathing became less labored, but labored nonetheless. After it was all over, I got high fives from dudes and ladies who absolutely crushed it, while I hobbled across the finish line. The community embraced me even though I did absolutely horrible. But I realize why: we all have our own personal struggle. But as we struggle, we do so together.”