2022-2024 was a roller coaster! It all started with the 2014 CrossFit Games Open, so I suggest you sign up now. You will be glad you did it! I started competing in the Open in 2014. I started working out in a CrossFit gym in 2013. In 2012, I dabbled with Karen and Fran in the comfort of my home. Gosh was I nervous to go into an affiliate. I had zero swag, zero swagger, and zero strength. Look at me now mom, so bussin (also, of you can’t tell, I am a little nerdy). I AM SO GLAD I STARTED CROSSFIT! My life is forever changed.
In 2022, I decided to “try” to make it to the Games. I placed first in the open and had no choice after that. My whole life changed. By this point, my affiliate was 3 years old, so some of the kinks of a “new gym” had settled, and I could focus on increasing my training. Up until that point, I worked out the minimum 3 days per week, one time per day. I know that sounds outlandish, but that is something that is backed by scientific evidence. Three days is the minimum effective dose of high-intensity training for mental health and injury prevention.
Summer 2022, we added swimming and strength to my regiment. My programming came from my coach Justin Mazzullo and his partner Shane Sweat with Conjugate Methods. Strength was something I was truly lacking as an ectomorphic runner. I was only able to take second in The CrossFit Games 2022, but that was only 2 months into training this way. After following the program for an entire year, I improved substantially in strength, power output, speed, and endurance.
In 2023, I won the CrossFit Games in my division in August and went on to win WheelWod as well in December. I knew that my Masters Program might get in the way of 2024, so I went ahead and competed in Wodipalooza as well. I placed second at Wodipalooza in 2024. I was on a roll and enjoying every moment. The gym rallied behind me, and honestly, without them, I would not have performed as well as I did! They flew across the country to watch me compete and cheered for me every step of the way.
In 2024, I earned my spot in the WheelWod CrossFit Games, but I had to decline because of my Masters in Dietetics Program and Internship. This was a very sad day for me because I worked so hard, and I created this identity that would no longer be mine. I had to figure out who I was again, even though I knew I was a wife, mother, business owner, boss lady, and so much more. I have settled back into the 3 days minimum of working out to maintain, and I think my body is thanking me. I am excited to compete in the WheelWod Crossfit Games Open 2025 to see if “I still have it.” As the oldest person in my division, I am not getting any younger, but my competition is!! Here’s to hoping wisdom and experience will prevail.
Check out some cool posts from other people who documented my journey: HybridAF, Shane Sweat, Youtube, Games, CrossFit, X, Barbell Spin, Breaking muscle, Everything CrossFit, Morning Chalk Up, Tarheel Chats, Garage Gym Revisited, Linked In, Games2, Open Announcement, Barbell Spin2, Morning Chalk Up 2, Everything CrossFit 2, Noah, Breaking muscle 2, Generation Iron, BoxRox, CrossMag, BoxRoxD1, Ultimos, BodyBurn, Wikiwand, YouTube, Wondews, Dummies at the Box, BodyBurn, HybridAF1, Dealtown, Games Highlights, Significant achievements
