October 1, 2011, my 34th birthday, my life was changed forever. As I lay there in the hospital bed and the doctor confirmed my diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, my heart sank. I became depressed and did nothing all day but eat feel good foods like ice cream and cupcakes. I gained a total of 47 pounds over the past 9 months. I used a 4-prong walker due to my unsteady gait. I viewed this as a death sentence, until I found out I was going to be a grandmother. I had 8 months to get out of this depressive funk I was in, so I would be able to assist my daughter with her baby.
I tried all types of workout videos from home. I was unsuccessful with all of them, which sent me further and further into depression. I had a doctor’s appointment and was unable to fit into any pants I owned. I had to wear jogging pants to that appointment, and I was determined that this was the last straw.
The next day I looked up gyms in my area and found what I thought was a small family-owned gym. I t took me 3 days before I got up the nerve to go to the gym. I walked in the door and the music was loud. People were yelling and throwing weights around. I immediately knew I was in the wrong place, and I backed out of the door slowly praying that no one had seen me. Thankfully, one of the staff saw me and followed me outside. I explained to her that I was in the wrong place, and she explained to me that I was at a CrossFit box and that things could be modified and tailored for me. I smiled nicely and said, “thank you but no thank you.” She asked me for my number and, because I did not want o to appear rude, I gave her my number. She told me that the owner would be in touch with me, and she would send me some articles on MS and exercise. The owner reached out to me the next day and asked me to stop by for a tour. On the day of the tour, everyone was so nice and encouraging. I agreed to try the fundamentals class. That was 5 years ago.
Over the years, I developed a love-hate relationship with CrossFit. I love the challenge that lays ahead of me every morning. I hate CrossFit while in the middle of the workout, and I love myself even more every day when I can crush what others said I couldn’t do. CrossFit became my home away from home. It is my therapy, my family, and my confidence booster. It gave me my life back. Due to CrossFit and my CrossFit family, I can accomplish things that I wouldn’t have dreamed I could do even before I was diagnosed. I am a better person mentally and physically. It’s not just about the weight loss, weight gains, or the muscle gains. It’s also about the family that CrossFit Oddity provides. I CrossFit because, despite my disability, I am expected to go hard and give it my all every day.
