The first day I met Carrie, she wanted to kick my ass because I didn’t let her jump into the group classes. At least that’s how I remember it. She rode her bike down to the gym and wanted to work out. Summer wasn’t quite over.Her cheeks were all red from the heat, and sweat covered her face. I tried to explain to her that this wasn’t a traditional gym and you couldn’t just jump into the classes. I offered her some water and told her she would have to come back tomorrow during on ramp classes. She didn’t take the water and shot me an irritated scowl as she left. I didn’t think she would show up.
But she did! And she’s steadily made progress in everything. She’s fast and strong. She’s the first girl in the gym I’ve seen make a rope ascent. She can do more strict pull ups than kipping. That’s real strength and far more impressive than kipping. I think she’ll be the first female client to knock out muscle ups.
-Tom
I decided to join Core Cross Fit back in September 2009 because I was sick of holding my stomach in (seriously)! I am a full time visual artist with a wacky traveling schedule and lot’s of time spent sitting in my studio or on an airplane not moving my butt. http://carriemarill.com/ I grew up in the Bay Area playing various sports (gymnastics, swimming, soccer & cross country) so my metabolism had been pretty active until I hit my 30’s. With a combined love of “orange foods” i.e. Queso, Cheezy Poofs and Doughnuts, and a lack of motivation to exercise without a team I noticed different shapes beginning to form around my middle and thigh areas. Realizing my metabolism was NOT what it used to be I decided to try and do something about it. I had tried working one on one with a trainer but found it pretty boring without that “team” mentality. So when I found a flyer for CCF I liked that it had a combination of group classes and a crew of trainers.
Since I have started I feel 100% better! body, mind and gut. In fact if I go away for a week and miss class I feel immense guilt like I’m letting my body down. These positive results are due to the kick ass team at CCF and the awesome people I share work outs with each morning. (do I sound like Tony Robbins?) so, thank you, thank you, thank you CCF, you rock!
When Josh first showed up to do his first workout with me he didn’t seem all that interested in joining. He did very well on his first workout, far better than most. Afterwards we talked about a few of his goals that he wanted to accomplish. He seemed unsure of himself and really shy. He left that first day without signing up.
Fortunately I gave him one of my cards before he left and he called me back 2 days later. He said he wanted to sign up for a month to see how it goes.
It’s gone really well for Josh. Everyone who’s had an opportunity to workout with Josh or read Chayet’s posts about him know that Josh is a monster when it comes to working out. The numbers he puts on the board speak for themselves. I don’t have to say much about those. What I’m most proud of, is how he carries himself. He’s much more confident. That’s so much more impressive than lifting heavy weight! I’m happy that he found us and is part of our family!
-Tom
My name is Josh and I joined the Core Crossfit family in January of this year. I cannot say how much being a part of the Core family has totally changed my life. I have thought a lot about whether or not I wanted to include certain details of my past however after much contemplation, and being totally comfortable with everyone at Core…here it is.
Just about two years ago to this day I weighed around 160 pounds and was totally strung out on drugs. My life was in absolute shambles. I had everything going for me at the time. I had a very committed relationship with an amazing girl and we owned a house together. I had a promising career path in the restaurant business and an aspiring import/export business too. I had the girl, the house with the picket fence, the job….even an awesome dog. Unfortunately I could not make my insides mirror the outside material stuff. The more things I acquired, the emptier I felt. I thought as long as I could show people that I was doing alright my feelings inside would soon follow. Man was I wrong. I can’t even say how all the drug use even began. What started off as recreational drug use on the weekends if there is such a thing, quickly became an animal which consumed and devoured me. In the blink of an eye I lost control of my life. My girlfriend of four years left me. My house was foreclosed and my car taken by the bank. I was fired by my own father at our family business. I was totally unfit to take care of myself. Every night when I went to bed I was terrified that I would overdose in my sleep and not wake up. When I walked in the bathroom I was so ashamed to look myself in the mirror that I would keep the lights off. I don’t know about anyone else, but that is no way to live life.
Fortunately I have a family that loves me very much and stepped in. I was sent to a treatment center for 28 days. I haven’t looked back and since and have been clean from drugs for over two years. I mention this dark part of my past not to solicit sympathy or a pat on the back. The problem was never the drugs. The problem has always been inside of me. A feeling of being less than, not good enough and just uncomfortable in my own skin. I came to Core with a lot of those feelings and I can honestly say I don’t feel the same anymore. I have never been a part of something so special in my entire life and I can’t quite put my finger on it. I consider everyone from the coaches to the members at Core Crossfit a very important part of my life and like a second family. When I first came to Core, I was still very much insecure and lacked confidence. I can’t say those feelings have completely gone away, but I am working in that direction each and every day I go to workout. Everyone at Core has been so amazing and so encouraging. I feel 100% more confident with who I am and that goes for all areas of my life, not just at the gym. Everyone has helped me to realize that it is ok to be myself. I could go on and on about what Core Crossfit means to me but I’ve been accused of being a compulsive talker(by Iris). I look forward to continued growth with everyone at Core….I love you all!
