In February 2016 I took my Level 1 CrossFit certification exam… and failed. Then I cried, and then I cried again. I couldn’t even look at the notification without tearing up a little bit. To see why that mattered so much to me, I need to go back a little bit and fill you in.
About 3 years ago I started CrossFit training at another local box and it changed my life. I was having so much fun training in a community of people that cared for me and held me accountable to my goals. It was everything that was missing from my previous fitness programs while I was trying to be the best Karina I could be. I ran a marathon before starting CrossFit, but being in a place where I could push myself to the limit daily under the watchful eye of professional coaches within a loving community was way more fulfilling to me as a person and athlete.
The gains in fitness were amazing, but my body wasn’t changing the way I wanted it to at first. When I started learning more about fueling my body with veggies and protein instead of chicken nuggets and french fries, things really started to take off. I learned so much about how to take care of myself and what I was capable of during my first years in CrossFit, but I didn’t think I would ever be able to make it more than 1 or 2 hours of my day.
Fast forward a little bit and I moved downtown and started looking for a job. Jessica needed help with the front desk, and gave me a chance. Joining a new CrossFit gym can be tough, and during the first 6 months at SRCF I was an unfamiliar face floating in a sea of bunnies. As I worked to build relationships with members, I got to know the coaches and see how much they cared about their athletes. That personal care made me want to join the coaching staff and help people for a living.
Fast forward a little more and I signed up for the CrossFit Level 1 seminar. I was nervously excited to go to CrossFit Charlotte for what would be an awesome experience. The HQ coaching staff was funny and engaging. They held my attention through a long weekend of instruction and training. I was excited that I knew a lot of the material from my time as a CrossFitter, which gave me a little confidence boost going into day 2 and the big test.
My nerves and the blaring TV in the hotel room next door kept me up a lot of the night, but the staff’s enthusiasm made me excited to return on day 2… even though I was super anxious about the test at the end of the day. When test time came, I wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. I second guessed my way through the 50 multiple choice questions, and turned in my answer sheet. A wave of relief washed over me as I left the room knowing that the results were out of my hands.
It was soon washed away by worrying about the results, which you already know about since that’s how we started. Everyone was so encouraging after I got the news, which I really appreciated. I really felt like a failure for a few days. Then I was reminded time and again that it’s not a failure that defines someone, it’s how they react to it that matters.
Moving forward, I’m studying up and getting ready to retake the exam. I can’t wait to be a certified coach and get to work with more people sharing the awesome experience I had starting CrossFit years ago. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.
 Karina can usually be found at SRCF making sure everything is happening the way it’s supposed to be. She’s a fun-loving fitness enthusiast having running marathons and competed in numerous CrossFit competitions. Her latest adventures include a blossoming yoga practice, preparing for another half marathon, and getting ready for a marathon row. |