What made you decide to give CrossFit a try?
How have your feelings towards CrossFit changed from when you first started to now?
I heard essentially all the rumors surrounding CrossFit, both the good and bad. My main concern was the rumor of high injury risk. Being a competitive and dedicated athlete my whole life, I understood the risks associated with sport. All physical activity has it’s risks regardless of the activity or the age you choose to participate in it. I felt like I had not exactly treated my body with kindness in the sports I previously participated in so I wanted to be careful with what I chose to do with it next. If by high risk of injury those rumors meant high risk of heightened functionality then they nailed it. Having never touched a barbell before in my life a large part of CrossFit was foreign to my mind and my body making me feel nervous and uncomfortable not to mentioned excited and energized to play with new movement patterns. CrossFit is easily one of the less risky activities I’ve demanded from my body. If anything CrossFit has made me aware of imbalances in my body from previous sports that I am able to correct now while I am active and have the time that would have no doubt left me in pain if left unaddressed later in my life. I was also scared of the potential for becoming the “bulky” female lifting all those big weights. Coming from the cheerleading world where smaller is always better, gaining weight whether it be muscle or fat was ingrained in my mind as the anti-goal. Now I realize how much effort goes into building one of those below-regional-level competitor physiques and will probably never understand what goes into building a Games level competitor physique. Reminder: Games level athletes are the 1% of the 1% and no one should expect to be ripped up like they are by participating in CrossFit at a general fitness level. Unfortunately the Games is one of the bigger parts of CrossFit advertised to the general population so it is easy for females to think CrossFit at any level = muscles on muscles on muscles. One of the positive rumors I heard was about the community of CrossFit. College cheerleaders have a very rigorous and unique schedule. There is no off season. They cheer at football and basketball (men and womens) games, sometimes wrestling and gymnastics meets, along with their own practices, conditioning sessions, appearances, and Nationals training. Having this type of schedule creates a very strong bond between the teammates because not only are you with each other so much doing cheer related stuff but that type of schedule makes it hard to make time for people outside of the team mainly due to scheduling conflicts. Because of what a close team we were, I thought I would never find that level of community and support at any other point in my life. I was wrong. CrossFit has created this ever evolving and growing community that I wish every person in my life would take the time to experience. The support not just from close friends made within the community, but also from members of your own box you barely know all the way to strangers when you drop in at a new city, state, or continent is an energy that fills you up with appreciation every time. I am honored to get to contribute to that type of inclusive and supportive community.
How has CrossFit impacted your life?
I think my previous answers are long winded and answer this one =) but I will add that I don’t know what my life would be like without CrossFit and I don’t spend a single day wondering “what if” because I know that it was one of the best decisions I made for my physical and mental health long term. The benefits of CrossFit have crept out of the gym in a way where I have massively expanded my knowledge on nutrition and general health practices where I don’t believe that would have happened if CrossFit wasn’t a part of my life. Plus I’ve met some the best people on this planet through CrossFit that have constantly pushed me to not just try to be stronger than the boys but also be the best person I can be both inside and outside the gym.
What advice would you give to someone who is hesitant about trying CrossFit?
No need to be “in shape” before starting just show up with an open mind, ready to learn and you’ll immediately start to feel the fitness sink in. Bring a friend or don’t bring a friend, either way I will guarantee that you will leave with more friends than you came with.
Additional Fun fact about Candace:
She recently competed in America Ninja Warrior! Way to go Candace!
