Customer of the MonthOctober

Natalia Pavlova

Joyful and Determined Athlete

Congratulations to Natalia Pavlova, the October 2024 BSC Athlete of the Month!

Where were you in your fitness journey before BSC and where are you now?
I was a typical gym goer: did a lot of classes, mostly the 'fun' ones, like Zumba, yoga, Pilates. I even took some classes with weights. I felt like I was doing everything that I'm supposed to. Even though none of it produced any noticeable changes to my body, I thought that's how it's supposed to be. At some point, I was getting bored with the classes, so I was going to the gym less and less. BSC changed it all! I'm never bored, and I love that every day is different. I love the environment where people cheer each other up, and give advice and share their stories. I love to see the fit bodies and smiling faces. I also really like that there is a core group of CrossFit veterans that keep coming to the gym, so I can see results from consistent CrossFit training. Our fittest CrossFitters are my role models, they are a live demonstration of results that can be achieved at CrossFit.
What were your goals when you started, and have you achieved any of them?
I had one goal: I really wanted to do a pull up. One of the trainers at the gym, a woman my age, said to me that women typically cannot do a pull up, because we don't have the upper body like men do. I actually accepted that explanation, until I saw a girl at the gym doing multiple pull ups. When I asked her how she learned to do that, she said something about CrossFit... That was the first time I heard the word CrossFit. I honestly had no expectations of myself. Until about a year into CrossFit, I don't think I realized how much a person can progress in their strength, flexibility, and skill. This was such a discovery for me, because I was so used to not seeing any results while working out at a gym, that I think I didn't expect much change for me at CrossFit either. I can definitely do a pull up now! So, you can say I achieved that one goal. Now, after 2.5 years with CrossFit, I have so many more goals!
What about BSC makes you keep coming back?
I see constant progress in my strength, stamina, flexibility. I learn new skills all the time, like climbing a rope, or jumping on a box (yes, that was very scary the first time I did it), and going upside down on the wall walks. There is always room for improvement on everything I do, so I keep coming back to do better.  
When/what was your "ah ha!" moment?
I was 2 years into CrossFit when my friends started asking me what I'm doing to look so fit. People would comment that I look younger.  A lot of people don't know much about CrossFit. I think my first "Ah ha" moment was when I was explaining some of my friends what CrossFit training is. I think this is when I realized how exceptional CrossFit training is. I tell everyone now that if they want to get stronger, gain more muscle mass, be more flexible as they get older, CrossFit is the only way.
Does anyone at the gym (member or trainer) inspire you and why?
Seeing all the fit CrossFit-ers and trainers is inspirational to me. But especially inspiring to me is to see very strong and fit women past their 40s (sorry, fit guys, don't mean to exclude you... you do look great too!). It shows me my path forward, that I will never reach any 'limit'.

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