I ♡ the Bransons.

The Bransons before CrossFit.

The Bransons after CrossFit.

I ♡ the Bransons.

David and Kim walked into our CrossFit 101 class this past February. I think it is fair to say that they were out-of-shape and not very excited to be there. In fact, I am certain that David did not smile once that night despite my assurances that we were going to have “lots of FUN!”

I will admit that I had my doubts as to whether the Bransons would make it through the long haul.

But the Bransons kept showing up for the 101 class. Then they graduated to a regular group class. They participated in our one-mile sled pull challenge. And they showed up for our Memorial Day Hero Workout where they completed “half-Murph.”

David doing his favorite thing- running!

I noticed Kim started posting inspirational messages on Facebook about “achieving goals” and “not giving up.” They returned on July 4th for another Hero Workout. This time, David brought a patriotic playlist to accompany the “Lumberjack 20,” which they both finished in its entirety.

They started posting before-and-after pictures of themselves. They made comments about how awesome burpees were. I think they were being sarcastic. Kim bragged on David’s new PRs. David rowed a gazillion meters during ROW-tober-FEST and volunteered as a judge at another’s gym competition. They both showed up for Sunday open gym hours.

In 10 short months, not only have the Bransons had an amazing physical transformation, but they also exude a certain happiness and pride in themselves that I did not see in that first 101 class. They are now part of the “regulars”- that group that you can always count on seeing at the gym and who are now encouraging others to keep going.

Kim going beast mode with the barbell.

CrossFit is not for everyone. I get that. This stuff is hard.

But I often wonder what is the common denominator amongst those of us who take to it? You will find all types in a CrossFit gym, from the natural-born athlete to those of us who can barely put one foot in front of the other. There is something we all have in common that unifies us with mutual respect for one another. I think it is the simple desire to be better.

Yes, I do ♡ you, David and Kim, and as a coach, I ♡ what you represent. You are two people who walked into our gym wanting to be better. You wanted more from yourselves. You believed in our program, and you stuck with it. To see you today is why we coaches do what we do.

Thank you.