me & my BIG ideas: Perfectly Imperfect

A layout about growth and courage. A story that has been in the making all my life: chapters have been written and rewritten, some harder to express than others. Ultimately, the journey has led me to who I am today: happy, healthy, and strong. I have tae-bo’d, Zumba’d, bootcamp’d, run 13.1 miles, swam-biked-run, but nothing has been able to strengthen my soul like Crossfit. Initially, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The images rendered upon a Google search were intimidating to say the least. However, the reality, as I would come to learn, has been a priceless, life changing experience. One that has surrounded me with inspiring, strong women who focus on the numbers on the bar instead of a piece of clothing. A gym full of encouragement, support, and stories.  I have long been moved by the thought that each of us carries a burden, a challenge, a unique tell that is part of our story. Crossfit has been no different: one workout, a myriad of individuals, multiple scales if necessary, but everyone is essentially doing the same thing, together, as one. There are good days, and bad days, and absolute soul crushing days; however, just as in life, I have the power of choice. Giving up has been and will never be one of those choices.

Running taught me to think of the bigger picture. How to train for something months away, yet keep the finish line in sight. The triathlon took me out of my comfort zone and forced me to do something scary: run, in a tri-suit in public and swim in a seaweed filled lake. I learned that biking is not my jam. The tri-suit still gives me nightmares. My thighs were not meant to be contained in such a way. Crossfit, however, has taught me about limits, and how our true limits lie far beyond that which we think is possible. Sometimes it takes many failures for us to finally see a glimpse of what others see. That glimpse alone is enough to keep going. I am doing things I never thought possible. My shirts fit funny, my booty struggles to fit within the confines of most pants, but my heart is where it should be. It is full, and happy, and strong. And I am perfectly okay being perfectly imperfect. A true work in progress. Here’s to the beginning of a new chapter in my story: one in which happiness and self acceptance prevails.