I’ll try to keep this brief. In October of 2009 I started CrossFit for the first time at the first CrossFit gym in Memphis, TN. I quickly “drank the Kool-Aid.” I lost about 30 pounds and got myself in the best shape of my life. I even started running Ultra Marathons. Back then, we made this video:
What a time it was. I wound up getting my CrossFit Level 1 certification and started coaching at that gym where I started my journey.
Then I decided I wanted to open my own gym. So (long story short) I left my career in Information Technology to go and open a gym. During that time I experienced some of the most amazing things I’ve ever experienced in my life. I even ran my first 100 mile race. Here’s a documentary that was made about that…
Shortly after that I had the most challenging experience of my life. I went to Canada and participated in The Special Forces Experience. This was supposed to be an 8 day experience, but I only made it one. After sleeping on the cold ground in the middle of a Forrest in Canada, I gave up and told the Cadre that I couldn’t walk, stand up, or even move my arms. It turned out I had a life threatening case of Rhabdomyolysis. My urine was as dark as it could possibly get. I spent 12 days in the Hospital in Canada before I was able to be released and go home.
After that experience I started learning about something called “Post Traumatic Growth.” I tried several times after this to make a comeback to fitness and running, but usually I would just use this experience as an excuse to just keep taking breaks. So while I learned a lot about myself and personal growth during this journey I would never truly apply those learnings.
So here I am, approaching 50 years old. I’m tired of making excuses for myself and I am once again tired of being “fat and out of shape.” I’m nowhere near where I once was, and it’s been a bit discouraging coming back to CrossFit knowing what I once was capable of doing.
So I’m going to document this journey into my fifties here. Follow along if you want, I’d love to have you.
V