I discovered CrossFit Saskatoon just over two years ago, two months from my 40th birthday. CrossFitting was something I had never imagined myself doing. In fact, I didn’t even know what it was. This was way out of my comfort zone.
I had set some shallow goals for myself when I initially joined, it was going to be short term, and I wanted to look acceptable in a bathing suit during a winter vacation. Little did I know at that time, how deep my shallow goal would become.
Two years later I can honestly say that CrossFit is not at all about looking good in a bathing suit. It is about a community of people who all come together for an hour with a common goal. To feel good, to push your body to do things you never thought it would do, to get stronger, faster and more confident. The only person you compete with is yourself, to become the best that you can be while surrounded by people who are supporting you in that goal.
When I walk through the doors of the CrossFit Saskatoon gym each day I know that everything else about that day gets left on the doorstep. It’s my time. I get to be me. I may leave the gym physically depleted, but my emotional cup has been filled because it is impossible to not feel good about yourself after a workout.
In the CrossFit Saskatoon community people notice you. They cheer when you achieve a personal record and they ask you where you have been if you miss a few days. It doesn’t matter if you are 17 or 57, everyone is treated with the same amount of respect. It doesn’t matter if you are a super star athlete or someone struggling just to finish the workout, everyone “fits” at CrossFit Saskatoon. I have never seen a gym where so many couples come to work out together or parents and their adult children. I am so lucky that my 17 year old daughter recently joined and we can work out side by side now.
I never imagined that CrossFit Saskatoon would become such an important part of my life. Two years later I can say with confidence, “I am strong, I am healthy, I am great” and I don’t look too bad in a bathing suit either. : )
Michelle B.
Age 42
Program Manager, Saskatoon Health Region
