Lance Markell

Tyler,
As I approach my first year here at Crossfit, I wanted to take the opportunity to share some of my thoughts, as I look back with a great sense of pride.

About a year ago, Lori and I decided we needed to get back into shape and as such, she decided to visit various gyms to see what they had to offer. We weren’t overly impressed with the “normal gyms” so Lori decided to check out Crossfit. At the time, Crossfit was foreign to us so we didn’t know what to expect. That being said, the next morning we woke up bright and early and attended a 6am class. It was rowing and I thought I was going die. Ironically enough, I actually thought I was in pretty good shape up until then. Boy was I wrong!

Even though the first workout was very tough, I was hooked right from day one. When I walked in, there were no “muscle-heads” bragging about how much they could bench press, the warm-up was on the board, each exercise (including the warm-up) was broken down and explained, and I knew I would be done in 30 minutes or so. What more could I ask for.

Anyway, the WODs are always challenging and at times, very humbling. Yes, there are days that I am physically tired after having my butt handed to me. However, this only seems to last a short while before I sit back and enjoy the feeling of having given 100%. As a result, I’ve gained lean muscle mass, lost fat, improved my agility, improved my cardio, I have more energy, and I feel much more “grounded”.

One aspect of Crossfit that is important to Lori and I is establishing a routine. We plan our day around Crossfit as we always know when the classes are and we find time to fit the WOD into our busy schedules. This means a lot to a family with 2 boys playing competitive sports, as we are often on the ice 10 times or more during any given week. Establishing a routine also provides a level of personal accountability for Lori and I, as there really are no reasons not to attend.

As someone who grew up playing competitive baseball and hockey, I have a great appreciation for teamwork and the sense of “community” a sport can bring. Having been away from competitive sports for years, I never realized how much I missed the camaraderie and spirit of competition. It wasn’t long after joining Crossfit that I realized I had that “feeling” back. It was like having that extra skip in your step or that sparkle in your eye when you talk about something you are passionate about. For me, this feeling occurs daily after a tough WOD or when someone I know asks me about Crossfit.

On a personal note, Crossfit has also provided some unexpected benefits as well. It has allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and try new experiences. For me, this was a big deal and still is. I have mentioned a few times that I don’t usually do anything or try anything in life unless I know definitively, that I will succeed. Yes, I know this sounds terrible, but I am now starting to allow myself the “right” to fail, as I know it is better to have tried something and failed (and eventually learn a new skill) then to have never tried at all. Consequently, Crossfit can be very humbling at times and it is this, which makes it so real. The best thing about Crossfitters is that they are truly non-judgmental and they are there to support you and challenge you in your quest for a healthy lifestyle.

In closing, this past year has been quite stressful as I strive towards a healthy work-life balance. Crossift has allowed me to stay focused at work, think with greater clarity, and become more resilient when dealing with difficult situations. Many of my colleagues and staff have commented and questioned how I have been able to cope with the ongoing demands at work. while still maintaining an amazing family life. My response is quite clear; Crossfit!

Thanks again!