I originally joined CrossFit Central in my mid-thirties, around 2013, and was a member until 2016. During that time, I experienced incredible results, both physically and mentally. What stood out most was finding my groove—identifying the right people and process to make challenging things more manageable. I left in 2016 when life got busy with marriage, a new job, and a move—all facilitated by the confidence, hot bod, and mental capacity I’d gained during my time at CrossFit Central.

At the start of 2024, I was feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Work was extremely demanding, and I was juggling the needs of my busy three- and five-year-old kids, along with numerous volunteer commitments. I coped with late-night ice cream runs but wasn’t making time for myself. While I still enjoyed movement, I wasn’t prioritizing it. I emailed Carey about starting personal training twice a week at 5 AM—the only time not already packed with responsibilities. My goal was simple: find a starting point, build momentum, rediscover some of that old magic, and take action.

Since rejoining, I’ve seen both physical and mental improvements. Not only have I achieved measurable results, but I’ve also become much better at managing stress. A huge part of this comes from prioritizing my physical health. My late-night ice cream runs have been replaced by early mornings dedicated to workouts six days a week. This shift has helped me reduce non-essential commitments and focus on what truly matters—my family, work, and community. One of my favorite moments is coming home from the gym to my kids eating breakfast, where they excitedly ask about my workout and squeal over my sweaty hugs.

The addition of Hybrid has been transformative for me. I incorporated it into my CrossFit and PT routine over the summer, and I’ve noticed changes in my body that I hadn’t seen before. It’s also expanded my mindset—I’m now tackling significantly longer workouts than I ever thought possible. While I sometimes look at the workouts and think, “Well, we’ll see how that goes,” I always finish feeling proud of myself for accomplishing something that seemed so challenging.

CrossFit Central has once again given me the tools, structure, and community to thrive, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the journey.