How Did I Even Get Here?

So I guess my first post should cover the basics, who am I and how I got here. So, my name is Kerri and I’m a Coach at Ocean State CrossFit. Three years ago I would have never dreamed I would be here. It all started with a co-worker telling me about this CrossFit thing he was doing (He is now in sunny Miami). He must have badgered me about going for a year telling me I would love it.I watched the CrossFit Games that year on tv and wanted to try it, but wasn’t convinced it was worth the extra expense (Let’s face it, CF memberships are NOT cheap). Eventually I saw OSCF on Groupon and thought to myself, well I can always try it out and just see if I like it. To set the stage, at this point in my life I was in a pretty dark place. I worked in a terrible environment I couldn’t seem to get out of, had no self confidence, and I could barely stand to be alone in a room. I remember my first day at OSCF (February 13, 2012) showing up way too early in the morning with my friend Leanne. The coach, Aaron, walked in and I almost walked out. He’s tall and jacked and was kinda scary before he said anything. I did stay, and I swear it only took one workout to be hooked. I immediately saw the value in this, jumped in with both feet, and never looked back. I came out of that dark place, slow but sure because of what I was doing in that gym and the people there. Pushing my body to do things I never even thought of attempting gave me a self confidence that I had never felt before. The gym literally became my playground, and I love every minute of it. Have a bad day? Come deadlift heavy and you’ll feel better after! Have a great day? Come jump around the gym like a little kid on the playground. Having a meh day and don’t want to move? Get over it, you’ll feel better after a good workout. See how that works in all situations? 🙂

I knew the day I wanted to be a Coach when I helped a fellow athlete beat her push press PR by I think 15-20 pounds. I felt so proud of her, and so good for her, I wanted to help more people. So I went for my L1, shadowed, and eventually got my own class on Friday evenings. This led to more classes during the week and eventually I left the “big girl corporate world” to Coach full time. It’s been a roller coaster ride but I don’t regret a minute of it. I still get that indescribably good feeling when I help someone accomplish something they didn’t think they could do – that’s what keeps me coming back for more. And two and a half years later, I’m still with OSCF.. the community is by far the most amazing group of people I have ever met.

I truly believe that CrossFit saved my life. I’ve seen what it did for me, and I’ve seen what it’s done for my athletes. I don’t know where I would be had I not walked into this place, and I am forever grateful for the people who have gotten me to where I am today. I can only hope that I can help someone else in the same way. So I keep coming back for more, every day, and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon!