Just one year after starting Crossfit, I stepped way outside my comfort zone (something I’ve done more in my forties than in the past three decades combined) and participated in my first CrossFit competition last Sunday.
It wasn’t even about competing, or reaching a certain ranking among the athletes, although I really didn’t want to finish in last place! The only reason I registered, paid the $35 fee, showed up, and competed, was to say……
Funny thing is, this experience was so much more than simply performing physical skills for time. In the process, I learned things about myself, my Crossfit family, and the Crossfit community and culture as a whole.
If you’re thinking “I don’t do Crossfit, and have no intention of ever doing it, so I’ll stop reading now” – please don’t!
It doesn’t matter if it’s Crossfit, public speaking, running a half marathon, starting a new business, learning a different language, sky diving, or taking guitar lessons. The simple act of stretching yourself, stepping outside your comfort zone and doing something new (and probably scary) is the BEST way to generate exponential personal growth! Add to that the possible benefits of being involved with people of like mind, like goals and like purposes.
So if you are thinking “I don’t really want any more personal growth” or “I prefer to live my life in solitude rather than in cooperation and team work with others” – then you can stop reading! Otherwise, hang in there with me on this one. The lessons I learned are LIFE LESSONS, things that we could and should apply to all areas of our life, not just CrossFit.
Open Door Policy – I have never experienced an open door policy like that which the CrossFit community offers. In a society that can sometimes be obsessed with being better than the competition, to the point of considering them the enemy, it’s pretty profound when local CrossFit gyms take turns opening their doors to the entire CrossFit community to come together and compete, or to workout collectively for a charitable cause. The Crossfit philosophy is Mi casa es su casa – my house is your house.
No Whining Allowed – Crossfit is a choice. Don’t choose it, then whine and complain about how hard it is. Do it, and embrace the ‘suck’ as equally as you embrace the accomplishments! It’s hard, because the payoff is worth the effort.
Love Thy Neighbor – Having been a spectator of many CrossFit competitions, it’s both easy and natural to encourage and cheer for the athletes performing, regardless if they belong to your gym, or if you even know them. But being a competitor this weekend, for the first time I was on the receiving end. The experience of being cheered for, supported and encouraged by complete strangers was profound. The positive energy emanated from their eyes, their voices, and their hands. Strangers celebrated my accomplishments as though they were their own.
Be REALLY Present in the Moment – I thought I knew what it meant to be present in the moment. But in retrospect, I’ve actually been present for an experience over time. Not really, really, present in the moment. Being present is holding a 50 pound kettle bell to my chest while attempting to complete as many squats as possible in 45 seconds. I was present for every inch of my drop to the bottom of the squat. I was present for every muscle twitch in my legs as they shook, while I willed my body to return to a vertical position. I was present to the voice in my head, telling me “just one more”, squat after squat. I was present each and every moment of those 45 seconds.
Boy’s Club No More – Crossfit respect is not gender specific! Men are typically bigger and stronger than women, as such, the expectations in Crossfit are that men can lift and move more weight than women. Other than that, there is no distinction between the genders. There are not male specific skills separate from female skills – they are all CrossFit skills. We give each other equal respect, regardless of gender! As a woman participating in what was originally a male dominated sport, I have NEVER felt belittled or less valued than the male athletes! Crossfit is an equal opportunity sport!
The Tank Isn’t Really Empty – Competing this weekend, I discovered that my body is much like a car. In the past, when my ‘running on empty’ light went off, I would pause for a few seconds to catch my breath, rest my burning muscles, or take a quick sip of water. In competition, where literally ever second counts and people are cheering for you (and watching your every move), I discovered that I have a few good miles left in me after my ’empty alarm’ goes off!
No Application Required – Anyone, and I mean absolutely anyone, can do Crossfit. There is no discrimination in the CrossFit community. Whether you are 18 or 68, stand less than 5 feet tall or more than 6 feet tall, have skinny thighs or chunky thighs, long hair or short hair, covered in tattoos or no tattoos at all….it simply doesn’t matter. All that matters is the DESIRE to participate! Choose to Crossfit and you will be embraced and accepted into a community that is inclusive, NOT exclusive.

This is an actual photo from the local Bend the Bar competition in September. This exemplifies the Crossfit culture!
Rooting for the Underdog – Watching the top athletes perform this weekend was awesome. Their bodies were sculpted to perfection while they moved with both fluidity and power. I know they weren’t born that way, they too worked for every inch of progress, every little milestone they’ve achieved to get to where they are. Watching them move with ease and grace was quite beautiful. But for me, I was moved more by watching the athletes that were forced to exert extreme effort and struggle simply to perform one more pull up, one more box jump, or one more squat. Witnessing someone overcoming all obstacles, when it would be easier to quit than continue, was both awesome and inspiring!
Competing Against Myself – I’ve spent 47 years comparing and competing…..with other people. I’ve tried to live up to other people’s standards, expectations and performance. I’ve based my self worth on how I rank in comparison to those around me, those that I strive to be as good as. And then came Crossfit! Over this past year I slowly (very slowly) began to learn that my journey is mine, and all that matters is my progress compared to myself. Sunday’s competition was my final exam in that life lesson and I passed with flying colors.
I was competing next to 20 year old girls with perfect bodies, perfect straight blond hair, perfect booty shorts, perfect smiles….and I didn’t care how I compared to them. I own this body that birthed two amazing boys, yo-yo’d so much the scale got dizzy, has left over cellulite I may never get rid of and new wrinkles that I have earned from a lifetime of experiences. Truly, all that mattered to me was that I perform to my absolute best ability, regardless of where I ranked in comparison or competition with everyone else!
Having a 2nd Family – Even in the face of the dysfunction that exists in most (if not all) families, there is always some semblance of support, team work, encouragement, appreciation, purpose, respect, humor and love. Imagine being able to multiply that by two – and having twice as much of all the great things a family has to offer. We throw the term around at our gym, frequently referring to ourselves as a family. I bought into it, never questioning the “family ties” of our box. But I really experienced it in full force on Sunday, when TEN members of our gym came to support, encourage and cheer us on, not because there was anything in it for themselves, but simply because we are family.
I just can’t stop at 10 lessons and leave this one out!
Everything is Better in Partnership – I would NOT have competed alone. That would have been way too scary! Amy and I agreed to take this step outside our comfort zones together. We were anxious together, planning and preparing together, wondering together, showing up together, being scared together, exerting ourselves together, laughing together, and celebrating together. Our partnership made this whole experience a million times better than it would have ever been doing it alone.
These are lessons I learned (or was reminded of) thanks to my Crossfit journey and competition experience. But these are not exclusive to Crossfit. They are LIFE lessons that I will take into every facet of my life!
Regardless of what hobby, sport, activity or interest you choose to pursue – choose something that will stretch you, cause you to step out of your comfort zone and be a little scared. Choose something that immerses you in a community and culture that is aligned with your intentions, beliefs and goals. Choose something….then be open minded and aware of all the life lessons you encounter along the journey!
P.S. – Inquiring minds want to know! For those of you thinking “how did you do?” and “will you do it again?”, the good news is I didn’t finish last. I competed in the Women’s Master division, which simply means I’m old (over 40). There were a total of 9 women in this category and I came in 5th place. Just 24 hours after finishing this competition I had already registered for my next one in late November – woo hoo!!!!
with Joy & Gratitude,