Why did you choose Sycamore CrossFit? Why do you keep coming back?
I was new to the area after moving in with Chris and followed him to the SCF after leaving CrossFit Oswego. He had started shadowing Carl/Jeremy and was working toward his CrossFit level 1 certification. Obviously, Chris is now a coach and Sycamore CrossFit has grown, but the “small gym feel” never changed. Everyone is always so encouraging and the gym is literally like a second family.
What’s your best story about the gym?
In May 2019, Chris was involved in an accident during which he suffered a traumatic brain injury. The way that the gym came together to support Brantley and me was nothing short of amazing. The fact that the gym came together outside of those four walls is my favorite story. Everything from meals, to gift cards, to packages, to help watching Brantley, to texts/calls, visitors, or giving us rides proved once again that Sycamore CrossFit is more than a gym, it’s a family.
What advice would you give to the person you were a year ago?
I would say that persistence is key. Be real and honest with your coaches because CrossFit can be adapted for anyone. It’s not always all the craziness that people see in the Games. It’s you versus you and nothing more. Everyone at the gym will support you where you are at and celebrate wins together.
What accomplishment at the gym or in your nutrition are you the most proud of?
The fact that I am starting to do some workouts without a lot of modification is the accomplishment that I’m most proud of. I have chronic pain and nerve issues that needed surgical intervention. The doctor said that even post-surgery that my pain would never go away and it was something that I would have to live with and work around. With the help of Coach Eric I was able to slowly increase my work capacity to the point I’m able to complete some workouts without modification and even hang from a pull up bar/rings, which I was unable to do previously without pain. I still have a long way to go but am proud of the progress I have made.