Michaela, How She Stopped Worrying and Loved the WOD
Michaela shares her initial thoughts with Crossfit and how she became a Crossfitter.
Name: Michaela Xavier
Age: 33
CrossFit Start Date (and box): 2008
Favorite movement or WOD: Helen
Least favorite movement or WOD: DT
GET TO KNOW MICHAELA
What was your athletic background prior to CrossFit?
Gymnastics and acrobatic skiing
How did you hear about CrossFit? What convinced you to join, and why have you stayed?
I heard about CrossFit from my husband, Judd. I tried it, and I hated it. I thought it was terrible! My first workout was Helen — I couldn’t do the pullups, the KB was heavy. The coach kept telling me to keep going and I said, “Are you kidding me?” I didn’t think anything good about it, but my husband convinced me to stay with it. The workout made me mad, since I was in shape and it shouldn’t have been that hard. After about 3 weeks, I started to see improvements; once I could actually start to do pullups, that was when it all became amazing to me and I realized that it works.
How do you manage the mental and physical demands of CrossFit training?
You have to enjoy it. You have to rest when you need to, but you do this sport and put yourself through it because you like it: the look, the ability to do things on my own with my family, in life in general. The experience of CrossFit makes you stronger in other areas of life — nothing feels as tough outside of the box. CrossFit is not the most difficult aspect of life by any means, but life is not going to be without pain and sickness and CF enables you to deal better with other things in life.
What do you love about the people and/or place where you train?
The passion for fitness/CF. You may not know someone but you share the same bond of doing a CF workout together. CF attracts certain people – those who work hard, those who are honest, those who don’t look for shortcuts — people you can rely on. It is the mentality of the community.
What do you do in your everyday life? How has CrossFit impacted that role (or roles)?
I own CFSV. CF gives me the strength to go through life every day! Things come up and you aren’t going to stop doing dishes or going to the park with your kids. I am going to do it and I am going to finish.
Looking back, what 2-3 things did you wish you knew when you started CrossFit?
Give it a try. Be consistent in coming to the gym – give it a chance by coming in 3-4 times per week. Make it fun, cheer the small accomplishments along the way and don’t compare yourself to others. Make friends and embrace the community at your box, all of whom enjoy it like you. Let the results and the body take care of itself – don’t get your head wrapped up in things that you can’t control since it is a whole lifestyle.
What is your most memorable CrossFit moment? What is your most embarrassing moment?
I was in the CF Games in 2008 at Aromas, and there was a Fran workout with chest-to-bar pullups. I couldn’t even do a single one and I was so embarrassed!Most memorable. Every time we get together for a workout like Barbells for Boobs or for a big event like camping at Aromas or when I compete at local throwdowns and a client comes to watch me, it is a great feeling – it makes you realize you have created and are part of something bigger than yourself.
Original Article by: Michaela Xavier at TabataTimes
