I joined CrossFit Central as a way to mix up my current fitness routine. I had been practicing yoga for 10 years and was a cardio junkie, but my body and mind had hit a plateau. A couple of my friends decided to join CrossFit and I was convinced to give it a shot.

Before joining CrossFit, I had this desire to push myself to be perfect, in all areas of my life. But with that desire to become perfect meant complacency and never pushing myself to the point of failure. I would stick to what I knew and never play with the unfamiliar. I also had unrealistic expectations and goals for myself physically. My idea of perfection was skewed and so was my body image. I would spend hours on the treadmill and elliptical hoping for skinny legs and refused to pick up a weight for a fear of getting bulky. Let’s just say that is not the case anymore.

The results I have seen from becoming a member of the CrossFit world and this gym in particular are endless. I never thought I would be able to do a pull-up and now I can do a muscle up (with a chicken wing, but I’m still proud). I’ve gained tons of muscle and have lost over 7% body fat. My mind is clearer, my stress has decreased, and I’m just an all around happier person.

CrossFit Central was a huge foundation for me to manage the crazy work/life/school balance. I would come to the gym for a way to reset my mind and body after sitting and studying for my nursing exams. It was my outlet for all the stress that had built up through nursing school and now as I embark on the journey of life as a nurse.

CrossFit has given me a confidence in myself that I didn’t have before. Instead of trying to fix my body, I now embrace the strength I was given and have altered my perspective. I no longer wish I had “skinny” legs. Now I am proud of the my legs because of the power behind them. I may never be a super model, but I can clean and jerk one and back squat two.

Pushing myself in daily workouts has allowed me to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. I used to push myself but only to certain point, now I’m able to play with my edge. I see challenges as opportunities rather than roadblocks. I am able to find calm in the chaos, a quality that is important with my specialty in nursing. As far as relationships go, my friends and family will be the first to tell you that CrossFit has helped me become less of a basket case. I have always had yoga, but yoga calms the crazy and CrossFit helps me not project the crazy on others.