Healing Through Fitness and Community

A little over two years ago Anthony decided to make a change. He knew he couldn’t live the way he was living any longer. He took action. Anthony wanted fitness and accountability in his life so he went searching for a gym to join. In the end he found a community, new way of life, and a fresh start.

What was your life like before CrossFit Central?

My personality has always been the same. I've always been outgoing. I've always been loud. But there was no fitness in my life. I worked as a mover so my job was very physical, that's when the weight started to come off. My mental state was not strong and I didn’t like who I was. Emotionally I was not in a good place. I always wanted to look a certain way, but I wasn’t willing to put in the work to look that way.

What made you want to change? How did you do it?


Pain. There was a moment, a couple of years ago, when I was on a three day drug binge. When I came to I was so disgusted with myself. The physical, mental and emotional pain that I was dealing with made me want to change. I took action. I moved home.

Within that first week of being home I visited a few different gyms. CrossFit Central Burnet Road was the third gym I visited. When I showed up I had a chance to talk to Carey Kepler. Carey gave me advice and she really talked to me. I knew then that I had to be a part of that gym. Three months later I went back. Carey asked me what healthy habits I had developed, what I was doing for fitness and nutrition, and what certifications I had. She gave me a shot. She said to show up at 8am on Monday to work out. I worked part time at the Salvation Army, continued working on healthy habits, and worked around the gym for a membership.

What do you love most about the CrossFit Central community?

January 2020 was one year at CrossFit Central. 
I love the people and the relationships you get to build. It’s like a family. I like how we all come together and help each other out. I like seeing new members get results. I like seeing the smile on their face!

How does your life in fitness and wellness translate to your life as a Dad?


I’m learning how to take what I’m learning at the gym and instill it in my kids. I am now able to have these experiences and a new way of living, and give it to my kids. I want them to have healthy habits. Visually - my kids are seeing a change.

I also see a change in my son. My son’s confidence level has skyrocketed. He's physically becoming stronger and he now knows the difference between eating bad and eating good, and how it affects you in your workout. The changes that a newcomer has when they start doing CrossFit - that’s what my son is experiencing. That boost that you get.

My daughter will join us in a workout or Fire and Ice when she wants to. She's watching the change in me and my son. She gave me a book recently, “What I Love About Dad.” Each question she answered was about how she is inspired by my job as a coach.

From the time you started as a CrossFit Central Member to Now, What's the Biggest Change?

I healed. I don’t carry the pain or burden that I used to. My kids are back in my life. CrossFit Central has helped my heart heal. There is no emptiness in my heart anymore. My heart has been put back together.