Crossfit Confident

I really should be more consistent.  We're all working on things, I'll move consistency further up my list.  I could come up with a lame excuse and say that my last post about George was so good that a worthy follow up eluded me... but I'll just take it on the chin and say, "My bad."

A couple of weeks ago I was asked to bring a friend's nephew to the Box with me.  He was visiting from out of town and wanted to do Crossfit while he was here.  She volunteered me to take him, so after a few probing questions on how qualified he was (yeah, that turned out to be a joke, the boy had skills) we signed him up and brought him to the Team WOD on Saturday am. 

Saturday Team WODs have no instruction.  It's assumed that you know what you are doing and can hold up your side of the team.  Everyone works hard, sweats a lot, and teams are competitive with each other - to the point of mocking the other team as you pass them (this is not for the beginner, unsure Crossfitter - it's sibling rivalry on crack.) He assured us he was up for it, and he did great in his team and overall.  It's what happened in the car, chatting on the way home, that inspired me to write this - I've shared this with his aunt, and several other people because what he said is so true.

On that day, post-workout, Chris and I were headed out of town to help with a hospitalized, sick family member.   Our visitor was telling us about challenges he had recently faced in his own life.  At twenty years old, he had recently experienced his young stepfather dying suddenly in front of him.  And now, just a week earlier, his mother found out she was facing a life-threatening disease and would be starting treatment. (The nurse in me is keeping the specific private details out - you are going to have to accept the generality here.)   Remember, he's 20 years old.  What he said next floored me: "Yeah, I have had a lot of really bad things happen.  Many people live their whole life and don't experience what I've had to in 6 months.  But, I know that somewhere, somehow, this will all become a positive experience for me.  I can't let it remain a negative experience.  It will have some sort of a positive spin to it eventually in my life."  Wow. 

He went on to say that he believes the power that Crossfit gives someone provides an unforeseen confidence.  He felt that this confidence helps him cope effectively with whatever life hands him - and he's had quite the handout lately.  Unlike other gyms, Crossfit is much like our own families.  Members encourage growth in other members, supporting them, pushing them, and not only helping others build physical strength but emotional and mental strength as well. Quite simply, doing Crossfit helps you face life differently. 

By going to the gym and pushing himself, he left his frustrations and anxiety somewhere between box jumps and burpees.  I always equate it to the working dog.  If the dog is working, doing something close to what it's been bred to do, the dog's mind is at ease.  When it's held back from doing its innate job, the dog gets frustrated, anxious and downright batshit crazy.  We are also animals, and pushing ourselves physically allows our minds to focus with new clarity on the correct target.  He pushes himself every day at his gym, and even found his way to an out-of-town Box.  When he goes home, this 20 year old kid can deal with very grown up issues, and not sweat the little things that clutter our anxiety closets. 

This young man made an impression on me 2 weeks ago.  I've thought about the things he said, and couldn't believe they were coming from such a young mouth.  If someone questions, "Why Crossfit?" this, among many others, is a substantial, life-altering example.