For those who don’t know my story, I graduated from Punahou School in 2003 and Princeton University in 2007 with a B.A. in Economics and a certificate in Political Economy. Upon graduation from Princeton, I was planning on entering the finance world that so many of my classmates did. I played basketball throughout my years at Punahou and was given the opportunity to play Division I Basketball at Princeton. Prior to CrossFit basketball was definitely my passion. I was not tall, but I was strong and quick, and I worked my butt off in the weight room. After basketball season I decided to take a break from athletics and the regular “hardcore” college workouts I had been doing the previous 4 years of my life. When I returned home, to Hawaii, I still had not gotten into the groove of working out. I would do the “Global Gym” lifts and go running around Diamond Head every now and then, but nothing really caught my interest. Nothing until CrossFit that is.
Sometimes I wonder, could there be a more perfect workout for me? Not only am I competitive by nature (I hate losing), but I have a pretty strong gymnastics and olympic lifting background. I also love challenges (I hate quitting) and playing Division I college basketball really strengthened my mental toughness. A background perfect for CrossFit! The best part, I have only been doing CrossFit for 9 months and I have never felt more fit in my entire 23 years of living, and believe me I’ve done a bunch of different workout styles, including strength and conditioning programs, fitness classes, lifts, circuits, cleanses, detoxes, and fad diets! Nothing comes close to the results you get from CrossFit. Nothing.
“Believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. No one said it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.”
Please post your stories in comments about how CrossFit has changed your life! I’d love to hear about all your experiences over these past months!
Coach Elyse
“Turkey Coming!”
6 rounds for time of:
30 second Squat Hold
20 KB SDLHP
10 Tuck Jumps
10 Pull-Ups
1 Circle Run
Post time to comments.
Very inspirational CrossFit story. I am so fortunate to have you coaching at Hardass Fitness. I am very proud of your improved skills both as an athlete and a coach. I count my blessing every day.
Kimo
Elyse, wow, what an inspirational story…you make us (way) older alums so proud! Thanks for a great WOD last nite! My niece Melody was so inspired by you. She really wants to continue so I suggested she ask my sister if she could get a membership as a Xmas stocking stuffer…. :o) Her main events are jumps so she really wants to become stronger when the Punahou track season starts up soon.
My “Turkey Coming” time: 20’52”
(yesterday was a pretty draining teaching day at school….what would you suggest I eat/drink before coming to xFit when I come straight from work?).
Looking forward to my usual Sat. workout!
Happy Thanksgiving! (you too, Kimo!)
~kat