Welcome to Friday’s Featured Female!
This weekly series features inspirational stories from admirable women. IMHO, it’s always good to be reminded of how strength, determination, hard work, heart and ingenuity can impact the quality of one’s life and I’m proud that these women will allow me to share their stories here.
Today’s Friday’s Featured Female is Marissa@BarefootColorado. Marissa was my Van 2 teammate (and my brief hotel roommate) for Pumped Up Kicks Media Team at Reach The Beach last month. It’s rare to meet someone so young (she’s a recent college graduate) with such grounding. Maybe it’s the Colorado lifestyle? Marissa ran over 19 miles for RTB and smiled nearly the entire time she was doing it. She told me she was nervous but she sure didn’t show it! This brave girl is about to embark upon her first 50K in November and I’m certain she’s going to kill it! Today Marissa is talking about a fitness endeavor that changed her life. It’s an activity that scares the heck out of me but one that so many people find transformational. Learn more about that workout and about Marissa right now!
Sooooo have you met Marissa?
I can honestly say that CrossFit has completely changed my life — for the better. I’ve always been active, but it wasn’t until I started CrossFit that I found something that mentally, physically and emotionally challenged me both inside and outside of the gym.
They say you never forget your first WOD (workout of the day). Mine was 3 rounds of 12 thrusters, 12 wall balls – for time. I don’t even remember my time, and I remember doing thrusters with only the bar. Regardless, I was toast at the end of it. I wanted to vomit. My legs and arms felt like jello and I honesty felt like I could never do it again.
… and then I came back the next day and signed up for a membership.
Throughout the year and a half that I’ve done CrossFit, I’ve grown so much as an athlete and as a person. I’ve become much more confident in myself, my abilities and my mental stamina.
It hasn’t been easy. But, nothing worthwhile in life comes on a silver platter. Nothing ever valuable is just handed to you.
CrossFit literally breaks me down, to build me back up.
A day not too long ago, I was having a rotten time. One thing led to another and the next thing I knew I was crying in the parking lot of my CrossFit gym — 20 minutes late to class.
I didn’t want to go. At all. But, I picked up my gym bag and headed through those double doors.
…..3.2.1… GO. I picked up the bar and started the WOD. It wasn’t an easy one —Far from it actually. What WOD is though? Some day you feel stronger than others & today was not one of those days. I was struggling by the end of the first round and to be honest wasn’t sure how I could do 4 more.
I wanted to quit. I wanted to stop. I felt numb, I felt broken, I felt defeated. I felt weak.
The feeling was all too familiar.
But you know what?
I finished.
Just as I always do. Just as I always have.
The competition WOD last winter made me feel like I was letting my team down. I felt defeated.
14.4 made me feel inadequate. And may have been the first and only WOD I’ve actually cried in.
This WOD made me feel like I literally could not go any farther. I was weak.
But you know what all of those WODs have in common? I finished them all.
No matter how weak, defeated, emotionally/physically/mentally beat down I was — I finished. It’s not until a few hours/days after that you really look back and think ‘wow, I didn’t give up.’ No matter how many times my mind is telling me to quit, I don’t. And I won’t.
CrossFit breaks me at my core. It makes me feel more raw, more helpless and more exposed than I have ever felt in my life. It doesn’t care if I had a bad day. Doesn’t care how I’m feeling. CrossFit is the great equalizer. Let’s be honest. It kicks everyone’s ass. But, after it’s done making me feel vulnerable and weak, it makes me feel strong, confident and more sure of myself than ever.
CrossFit breaks me down. And then it builds me up.
If I can get through those WODS, I can get through anything Because when it comes down to it, it’s not about barbells and burpees.
It’s about mental strength, a fighter’s heart and having the courage to know that you can do this — one rep… or one step at a time.
My advice to you is: Find something you love and stick to it. Even if it’s hard. There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing that you can do anything you put your mind to. And trust me, you CAN do anything.
Thanks Melissa for sharing your space today!
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How do you feel about CrossFit? Love it? Hate it? Scared of it? Talk to me, people.
Marissa, you already know I think you’re awesome!!! I agree with Melissa that you are wise (and mature) beyond your years. I love the common thread of CrossFit, and the fact that it tears you down only to build you back up! The empowering effects you feel from it are what everyone is looking for in a workout, and I love that you found yours in CrossFit! Can’t wait to read about the 50 miler. GO GET IT!
Wow! That’s intense. CrossFit is one of the very few workouts that I’ve never actually tried. I’m very impressed by people who are so into it – and the best part about it, is that I’ve seen people who are sedentary really latch onto the community feel of a CrossFit gym (or box I believe they are called), and I’m all for anything that gets people moving. Thanks for sharing her story!
We were lucky to meet Marissa! CrossFit scares the bejesus out of me but I’m glad that someone (many someones) love it. Can’t wait to hear about Marissa’s 50 miler and read your new PR recap too, Allie! Way to go!!
Thanks so much for seeing the inspiration that I see in Marissa!
It is amazing the ladies that yo bring here & all that goes into their life! I have never done CrossFit but if I had learned about it young, I would have done it! Now at my age, the bod is sort of having a chat with me so I am very careful! 🙂
Great share!
I absolutely know what you’re talking about when you say “the bod is talking to you”. I like that you see it that way. I’d be thrilled to have the body you have now, Jody. You seriously rock.