Scorching air seeped past my parched lips as I sprawled out across the gym floor. My skin was on fire, my lungs felt the size of balloons and my hands were recovering from the biting pull up bar. One thought was racing through my brain.
I survived.
This summer I was claimed by the realm of Crossfit, a sport established in the late 90’s by Greg Glassman. My mind and body have never been pushed to their limits. For years I have been involved in many sports and a variety of physical activities, but I never let my body leave its comfort zone.
When I was playing volleyball or soccer, if I felt my limits being pushed, I would simply ask for a time out or slow down my pace for the remainder of the game. My mind developed excuses such as, “If I try too hard on this game, I won’t be able to give the same effort next match.”
Crossfit made me leave all my excuses at the door.
For months my mother, a certified Crossfit coach, nagged me to “just give it a shot”.
I claimed my schedule restricted me from participating but when summer rolled around, I couldn’t depend on my busy schedule to save me from the inevitable.
My first WOD, or workout of the day, was June 10, 2015. I thought my headstone would read the same date. My body felt as if it was going to explode.
After my lungs stopped burning and the sweat dried, I fell in love. I loved the challenge, the excitement, the passion in the people’s eyes around me. But above all, I was amazed what my body was capable of.
Over the summer, I could see my body, health and mindset develop. I was able to lift more weight, run faster, and push myself mentally through any task whether it be staying up late to finish homework or making it through a Monday.
For me, it’s not about building up my muscles or becoming a teenage beast. For me, it’s overcoming challenges and looking for new ones.