I grew up playing sports, especially basketball, volleyball and running track. I became a gym rat for a while with aerobic classes and the like. After my son was born, I discovered boot camp and went at it pretty hard-core.

I was doing a fitness competition in Las Vegas (Women’s Tri-Fitness) and was training for it with my boot camp instructor. A lot of the amazing fit women I met there did CrossFit and that is where I first encountered the sport – my interest was piqued. Once I relocated to Northern California, I decided to jump in and explore it first hand.

I listen to my body and I rest when I am too sore or my mind is not into it. But for me, CrossFit and my workouts have made my recent relocation to a new place away from family, friends, etc., bearable – my lunchtime workout was my one constant in a new part of the country and it kept me on an even keel.

I love the fact that everybody goes in to workout hard when it is time to go, unlike in a typical gym – that is my personality, and I like that everybody’s goal is the same in the box. Whether your level is Rx or scaled, I love the fact that everybody is supportive and everyone is working hard around you.

I am a full-time working mom balancing work, kids, and home life. CrossFit keeps me from burning out and has positively impacted my life by giving me the energy to do everything I need to do, the ability to deal with the everyday stress of my life, and the outlet to release all my concerns and sweat it out at the box – so necessary!

I wish I would have been more familiar with weightlifting moves because I didn’t have a background in that previously. Don’t compare yourself with anyone else in the box because the minute you do, you either get discouraged or injured trying to keep up with them. Come in with the expectation that it is about you and what you can do, and not about comparing your results to others.

Every time I hit a PR or improve my technique in a movement, it is memorable to me. I have not had embarrassing moments like pukies or accidents thus far (knock on wood), but sometimes when you are working hard during a WOD, breathing really hard with all the inhaling and exhaling, you look in the mirror afterwards and realize maybe you should have blown your nose ahead of time … that certainly qualifies as embarrassing!