Before BSC: Before joining BSC, my fitness journey was a bit inconsistent. During my master's program, I experienced the infamous "Freshman 15" due to lifestyle changes after moving to the U.S., and this weight gain continued during the first few years of my job. I struggled with maintaining a regular workout routine and balancing my diet amidst the demands of a busy schedule. While I had the desire to improve my fitness, I lacked a structured approach, and my results were sporadic at best. Where I Am Now: Since joining BSC, my fitness journey has completely transformed. The structured CrossFit workouts have helped me build discipline. Beyond the physical changes, I’ve developed a mindset focused on consistency and long-term health. BSC has been a major stepping stone in not only helping me regain control of my health but also reshaping my lifestyle to prioritize fitness and well-being.

Initial Goals: my main goals were simple: shed the extra pounds (hello, 'Freshman 15'!). I also wanted to build endurance, and, most importantly, find a workout routine I wouldn’t ditch after a few weeks. Progress and Achievements: Fast forward to now, I’ve lost the extra pounds, and my endurance has really improved. I’ve also figured out how to stay consistent and actually enjoy my workouts.

I’ve already pre-paid for my membership, and I really hate wasting money! Plus, my wife has made it clear that I get a bit cranky when I skip my workouts—so there’s that! But on a more serious note, what keeps me coming back to BSC is the constant improvement I see in my endurance and the positive vibes from my BSC family. It’s a motivating environment that makes all the hard work worthwhile! The coaches are incredibly motivating, always pushing me to reach my potential while ensuring I’m safe and having fun. 

My "ah ha!" moment happened outside the gym on the cricket field. As a semi-pro cricketer, I noticed that I could run faster and recover more quickly during the dying stages of the game. It was a real eye-opener for me, realizing how much my training at BSC was positively impacting my performance on the field!

There are so many inspiring members from my 6:30 am and 11:30 am classes, but if I had to highlight a couple, it would be 'Kim Grasberger' and 'Bob Miller' for their incredible longevity in fitness. I’m also super impressed by the soon-to-be moms who continue training throughout their pregnancies. 

Before I started my fitness journey at BSC I was very overweight and out of shape. Well, I had a shape, and it was round. Over the past five and a half years at BSC I have dropped 50+ pounds and have built a lot of lean muscle mass. I've also changed the way I eat and the frequency.

My primary goal when I started was to be able to move in a functional way, and to build strength. A lot of strength. Over time my goals have shifted a bit to being healthier overall, losing body fat and to build a better cardio base. I have certainly achieved all of my goals, and I've had to adjust them as I reached them. My lifting goals were very basic. I wanted to be able to deadlift 500lbs (still working towards this goal. I've been at 455 for a while), Back squat 315lbs (far surpassed that goal, as my pr is 405lbs), clean and jerk 275lbs (making progress finally with a 245lb clean and jerk), snatch 225 (making progress with this just need to test my 1 rep max again. Currently at 175lbs). I also wanted to be able to run a mile non-stop at some point and I can do that now. My front squat I wanted to reach 315lbs and I have surpassed that with a 325 front squat. Pressing overhead has always been a challenge since this journey began. It just never felt stable. But I've worked on that movement over the past several years and my strict press is at 175lbs, push press is at 225, and my split jerk is at 245. I think these movements I'm the most proud of as it took a very long time to move the needle on them.

I enjoy doing the daily work. The coaches are great. I work a lot with Coach Derick, Mike, Emme. The encouragement to get better and to not fear your own greatness are common themes in every work out. I've noticed a lot of small changes with my form and technique and I get excited at seeing how it translates with heavier lifts.

The biggest "a ha" moment for me was understanding that through consistency I could reach all of my goals.

There are several people that have inspired me along my fitness journey. Eric Oleson comes to mind. He pushed me for years to work a little bit harder each workout. Curran, Richie, Kelsey (with baby), Brandon, Natalie, Dan, Doug, Kelly, Emme, Mikey, Rachel, Riley, Ariel, Jiwon, Sean have all helped me to stay focused and to keep pushing myself. I'm old but I still do really cool shit daily with this group of people.

Before BSC, I wasn't involved in any regular activities. I casually worked out without knowledge how to effectively exercise and didn't have a clear direction regarding my physical fitness. Now, I am addicted to exercise, my overall quality of life has improved because I feel better mentally and physically.

Being in my late 40s, I have learned that my metabolism has reduced, and my goals were to increase my lean muscle tissue, strength and endurance. Over the course of 2.5 years, my lean muscle tissue and strength has allowed me to perform pull-ups, deadlifts, and wall walks. In addition, my endurance has significantly improved my rowing, and running longer distances outside of the BSC.

BSC provides the challenging regimen and the strong community support system. This is what brings me back each week regardless of my demanding life.

My ah ha moment was when I realized that I could do 20 min Metcon non-stop.

As a mother of five, Lyndsey has inspired me by balancing the busy schedule and finding time for fitness coaching regardless of the demand of parenting. She is definitely a role model for me and other women, demonstrating that mothers can be strong, and fit. Mike Ford has been instrumental for me as a coach. I appreciated him helping me with my form, he does it in a very nice manner and is very inspirational to all members of the club. He is also a reason why I am coming back every week.

My fitness routine involved running, yoga, and volleyball. The running part became more challenging due to nagging injuries that just seemed to persist, so I needed to switch things up. I also seemed to be getting older, so a more balanced approach to fitness was necessary to prevent injuries and to keep me standing up straight.

While I didn’t have any specific goals (I’m more of a process person), I like learning new movements (everything was new) and pushing myself hard. I sucked at everything when I started and I still suck, but now I suck a little bit less.

I like the variety of the workouts. I like the stripped down, somewhat grungy gym atmosphere – it’s as it should be (I don’t feel comfortable with all the upscale BS at the MAC). I like the thoughtful scaling options for those of us not at “Rx” level. I’ve found a good fit with the build and burn classes. The occasional “good job” or smile-and-nod while running go a long way in motivating me through a “chipper.”

Sometime last June/July I noticed that I don’t have any knee or shoulder issues anymore. I think the workouts have balanced me out a lot and stabilized my joints so that I can play in volleyball tournaments without tweaking something or go trail running with friends without dying on the hills. BSC has also been a great learning experience – I’ve never done anything like this and it’s good to try new things.

I think everyone there has inspired me at some point. The women are especially fierce!

Before BSC, I mostly did workout classes at Nike and would lift here and there. I enjoyed those classes but was always curious to see what this whole CrossFit thing was all about. Two years later, I'm so glad that I joined, and I feel stronger than I ever have.

When I first joined, my goal was simply to get stronger and while I have achieved that general goal, there's always more to go and more goals to set!

The people for sure! Having a community of incredible athletes and just all-around good people by my side makes all of those hard workouts so much more enjoyable.

I think my "ah ha" moment was when I got my first rope climb. It was something I had never done before, and it took some practice and time to get there. I still have several more skills to work on and I look forward to having more of those moments.

Oh man, so many people do. Do I have to name all of them? I feel like there are several in every class and it's truly every person who shows up and stays committed to doing the work to get better. Special shoutouts to all the coaches, the BCF Beauties, and The Breakfast Club!