Rhonda & Reece Carter

Rhonda: In 2016 I completely changed my eating and in mid 2017 I wanted to incorporate exercise. I had done gym memberships many times before and of course didn’t go because I didn’t know what to do, so I decided to try CrossFit. I do it now because I love that I’m stronger, fitter and can see how much progress I’ve made since June 2017. Also, I have made some incredible friendships that I didn’t know I even needed. 🙂

Reece: I wanted a challenge. My own personal fight club. But I was trying to train on my own in the garage and found myself not going to any real capacity. We found CrossFit to be the level of accountability that we had been looking for. Just the fact that someone else is programming and we don’t have to think about and run the risk of talking myself out of it “what is written on the board is what is going to get done…3-2-1-go.” Why do I do it now? Competition with myself. I love the Leaderboard. Being able to see the other guys in my “division” doing the same work so I am reminded that it is possible. Then it’s up to me to set my own score for it all. And looking back at the benchmarks for the growth in it all, as well. That recorded growth fascinates me.

Rhonda: I can actually do this!!! The freedom of having a scaled option for every movement was incredible. It completely sets you up for success. I have to admit I was eyeballing the defibrillator that first week that we joined the actual group classes lol

Reece: I think it was (half) Fight Gone Bad… “this is exactly what I was looking for…. when can we do this again?”

Rhonda: The variety of exercises from day to day! There is no chance of getting bored.

Reece: I really enjoy watching people (both veterans & newbs) grow their capacity and realize it for themself. Seeing the breakthrough of getting over the stories they have been telling themselves that they can’t do something only to realize that they really can. CF sets you up to see exactly that. Albeit, over time, the model is there.
My wife’s been the biggest case study to see that in. “There’s nothing stronger than a broken woman who has rebuilt herself.” – H. Gadsby

Rhonda: Oh gosh…. I have several! Participating and finishing MURPH (scaled of course), my first powerlifting competition in Nov 2018 and there was a really long WOD back in the summer and it was hard! The time cap had passed but I was determined I was going to finish. Alex & Rob came over and cheered, encouraged me and Alex even started doing the burpees with me. I finished because they knew I wanted to and wouldn’t let me quit. I cried on the way to putting my equipment up but nobody noticed b/c of all the sweat 🙂 That’s my proudest moment!! I’ve quit a lot of things and I am proud I didn’t quit that.

Reece:

1. Getting up on the wall for the “HS” of an HSPU (handstand push-up). The PUs are coming soon.
2. My 3 Double Unders… you counted correctly; 3.
3. Seeing I had a legit 500m row @ 1:30

Rhonda: Favorite movement- squats!!! back squats, front squats, air squats!! All the squats. Least favorite- burpees, mountain climbers, and running!

Reece: Favorite is Snatch- so many pieces to it all. Poetic in motion and so powerful… and Toes-To-Bar. Least favorite- Double Unders and Muscle-Ups. Because I’ve not figured them out… yet!

Rhonda: I don’t know all the names of the WOD’s but I created my own WOD in 2017 called “Rhonda’s favorite things” so that’s my fav and I do it when I come to open gym. It incorporates: rowing, wall balls, kettlebell swings, and step ups. Least fav: the one’s that have burpees and running in the same WOD.

Reece: Favorite is Level 1 Test aka “Baseline.” Least favorite is 12 Days of Christmas. Math & Calculators have no business in any WOD after 20 min.

Rhonda: My goal at the beginning of the year was to increase upper body strength so I could get my very first strict pull up. I’ve lost a little ground over January due to a car accident BUT it’s still a goal and I will make that ground up and more! Believe me, you will know when I get my first pull up, I’ll be dancing/jumping around like Rocky and ask for my fight song to be played… I need to find a fight song. 🙂

Reece:

1. Double-Unders
2. Strict Handstand Push-ups
3. Muscle Ups
4. Going from Athletic to Performance

I’m making the regular attempts and on track for Aug/Sep… It will be our 2 yr mark for CF

Rhonda: Wow, a lot of impact, where do I start? That I can do hard things!! Anytime I am intimidated by anything outside of the gym I definitely draw strength from this: I didn’t even start working out until I was 45 so I can do this!!!

Reece: It’s turned my (our) life around. Finding out my strength capacity has made me aware of what was really possible for things. And the training of how to adjust and scale for growth has made it all seem achievable.

Rhonda: I love hanging with friends and family but my absolute fav time of the day is once the boys go to bed and Reece makes a pot of decaf, brings us each a square of dark chocolate and we watch a show together while he rubs my feet. (he gives the best foot massages)

Reece: I love what I do and that’s developing and building the neighborhoods in our cities. Usually a run-down area that’s starving for attention. It’s really awesome when you see people wanting to live in a well designed place that’s only going to appreciate because new life is being breathed back into the community around it.

Rhonda: I feel stronger and more capable to handle what life throws at me. It’s funny because I am a person of strong faith and that has absolutely gotten me through so many things in my life. The physical strength compliments my spiritual strength in a way that I never thought was possible and never really saw it coming!  One does not replace the other, they fit perfectly together.

Reece: It’s taught us how to listen to not only our bodies after we’ve trained but also to know what we’re going to be feeling like as result of upcoming work, diet, or both, and learning to adjust accordingly. Those same preparations translate into all the other Quadrants of our life and it’s been invigorating to recognize and live out, as well.

Rhonda: Do it, you will be amazed at what you can do and you will be so proud of yourself!

Reece:

1. Embrace the suck. It’s really rewarding when you beat it.
2. Use the Leaderboard to know what’s possible.
3. Thank your class coach(s) after every session.

Rhonda: I still want to do a WOD to the Greatest Showman soundtrack and start the WOD with 5,6,7,8…. Instead of the 3,2,1 countdown! It’s a dream, don’t be a dream crusher!